The Takeover of Luton Town                                By Lutonfc.com All of the news as it happens!

On Tuesday, May 20th 2003, popular Luton Town chairman Mike Watson-Challis retired having struck a deal to sell the club to new owners.  However, Hatters supporters were left totally in the dark as to who the new owners of the club were.  As if this wasn't frustrating enough for Luton fans, the new consortium in charge of running the club decided that they would sack both manager Joe Kinnear and assistant manager Mick Harford - two highly popular figures with the supporters.  Absolutely no reason was given for their dismissals, and this led to Hatters fans staging a protest at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, May 27th 2003.  Rumours mounted as to who the new owners were and various names were linked with the manager's position, including ex-Portsmouth and Northampton Town boss Terry Fenwick - a highly unpopular choice in the eyes of Luton fans.  Eventually, John Gurney came forward as the new owner of the club, but after two chaotic months in charge, Mr. Gurney left the club - leaving the Hatters in administrative receivership.  A new manager had been appointed by Mr. Gurney in a phone poll vote - former player Mike Newell, who had recently departed as manager of Hartlepool United.  Newell also brought back Mick Harford to the club as First-Team Coach and Director of Football.  After some six months in administrative receivership, Luton Town Football Club finally got new owners at the end of May 2004 when former general manager Bill Tomlins put together a consortium called 'The Bill Tomlins Sports Management Consortium' that took control of the club.  He put the club under control of Kenilworth Road Football Club ltd. Around the same time, former Hatters boss Joe Kinnear, who had been cruelly sacked by Mr. Gurney, was appointed as the new manager of First Division Nottingham Forest.  Below you can find links to everything relating to the takeover by the mystery consortium and the aftermath of administrative receivership that followed and the final takeover by the Tomlins consortium as written here on Lutonfc.com: -

• Defender Perrett Pens New One-Year Deal (06/06/04)

• Winger Forbes Completes Swansea City Move (04/06/04)

• Hatters Winger Forbes In Swansea Talks (04/06/04)

• Hatters Boss Newell Takes Ex-Scotland Striker Booth On Trial (03/06/04)

• New Owners Of Luton Town Football Club Revealed (26/05/04)

• Trust In Luton Confirm Takeover Is Complete (24/05/04)

• Hatters Duo Coyne And Robinson Sign New Deals (23/05/04)

• Hatters Arrange Ajax Friendly (22/05/04)

• Owls Make £500,000 Howard Bid (20/05/04)

• Administrative Receiver Says Takeover Is Near Completion (01/05/04)

• Administrative Receiver Ward States Club Should Be With New Owners Next Week (17/04/04)

• Hatters Finally Set To Come Out Of Administration (26/03/04)

• Hatters Boss Newell Snaps Up Underwood (25/03/04)

• Hatters Striker Crowe Makes Oldham Switch (25/03/04)

• Trust In Luton: Light At The End Of The Tunnel (25/03/04)

• Full-Back Foley Pens New Hatters Deal (11/03/04)

• Harford Insists He Is Not Joining Forest (26/02/04)

• Showunmi Signs Two-And-A-Half Year Deal (24/02/04)

• Hatters Boss Newell Hopes To Sign Showunmi (24/02/04)

• Hatters Hero Harford Turns Down Forest (17/02/04) (Includes Audio!)

• Trust Issue Statement Regarding Takeover (14/02/04)

• Harford Considering Moving To Forest With Kinnear (13/02/04)

• Ex-Luton Boss Kinnear Appointed Nottingham Forest Manager (10/02/04)

• Former Hatters Boss Kinnear Set For Forest Role (09/02/04)

• Hibs Stopper Hyldgaard Signs For Hatters (28/01/04)

• Hatters Stopper Beresford Signs For Barnsley (26/01/04)

• Tomlins: "Hatters New Stadium Dream Is On" (15/01/04)

• Coyne Calls For New Owners To Sort Out Player Contracts (15/01/04)

• New owners hope to be in control by next home match (09/01/2004)

• Creditors Vote To Accept Ward's Scheme (05/12/2003)

• Race Against Time To Save Hatters (28/11/2003)

• Chesterfield Match Could Be McSheffrey's Last (28/11/2003)

• Newell Signs Beresford For Further Month (27/11/2003)

• Hatters Set For New Owners (23/11/2003)

• Tomlins Hopes To Gain Control In Friday's Court Case (20/11/2003)

• Administrator Ward Chooses Tomlins Consortium (16/11/2003)

• Midfielder Holmes Back With The Hatters (16/11/2003)

• Ex-Hatters Boss Kinnear Keen On Palace Post (13/11/2003)

• Sky Blues Tell Hatters McSheffrey Is Yours (13/11/2003)

• Crowe Returns From Loan Spell - And U's Immediately Make Loan Move (31/10/2003)

• Trust Will Back Bidders Who Want Best For Club (29/10/2003)

• New Takeover Rumours Mount (27/10/2003)

• Trust In Luton Concerned Over Possible New Owners (24/10/2003)

• Hatters Boss Newell Speaks On Takeover Rumours (24/10/2003)

• Hatters Snap-Up Beresford On Short-Term Deal (24/10/2003)

• Pitt Returns To Fratton Park As Newell Seeks Goalkeeper (23/10/2003)

• Hatters Boss Newell Answers Your Questions! (15/10/03)

• Goalkeeper Abbey Returns On Non-Contract Terms (10/10/03)

• Unsettled Striker Crowe Wants Permanent York City Move (01/10/03)

• Hatters Striker Crowe Makes York City Loan Move (27/09/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Made Forrester Inquiry (25/09/03)

• Pitt Stops In At Luton Again! (19/09/03)

• Pompey Winger Pitt Could Return (19/09/03)

• I'll Take The Flak From Angry Fans, Vows Thorpe (19/09/03)

• Trust Urges Investors To Come Forward (18/09/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Extends McSheffrey's Loan (17/09/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Linked With Watson Swoop (15/09/03)

• Pitt Returns To Pompey (12/09/03)

• Newell: "Beckwith Would Be Expensive" (12/09/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Hands Burnett Trial (12/09/03)

• Former U's Star Morgan Could Join Luton (11/09/03)

• Gunners Boss Wenger Aims To Fire Beckwith To The Top (10/09/03)

• Cheers!  More Outlets Sell Goalden Hatter (08/09/03)

• Hatters Boss Snaps Up Showunmi (07/09/03)

• Trust In Luton Backs Crisis Club Opponents (05/09/03)

• Luton Legend Moss Backs Trust In Luton (02/09/03)

• Beer We Go As Goalden Hatters Lager Is Launched! (31/08/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Hits Out At Player Bids (28/08/03)

• Owls Join Chase For Luton Striker Howard (28/08/03)

• Luton Striker Howard Attracts Cobblers Interest (26/08/03)

• Not So Blue For Luton As Newell Looks To The Skies And Signs McSheffrey (21/08/03)

• Thorpe Completes QPR Move - And Newell Blasts QPR (21/08/03)

• Hatters Striker Thorpe Set For Move - To Rivals QPR (21/08/03)

• Newell To Launch New Hatters Beer! (21/08/03)

• Hatters Striker Tony Thorpe In Talks With QPR (21/08/03)

• Former Hatters Chairman Watson-Challis Suffers Stroke (14/08/03)

• Pitt Signs On Month's Loan To Become Newell's First Signing (08/08/03)

• Trust In Luton Urges Fans To Join Up (07/08/03)

• Hatters Boss Newell Welcomes Harford's Return (07/08/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Hatters Hero Harford Returns To Kenilworth Road (06/08/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Administrator Barry Ward Begins Cutbacks At Luton Town (25/07/03)

• Kinnear Picks Up Honorary Degree And Reveals Wish To Return To Hatters (18/07/03)

• Trust In Luton Announce Second Public Meeting Details (18/07/03)

• Kinnear: "I'd Be Very Much Interested In Coming Back To Luton" (15/07/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Newbery Delights At John Gurney's Departure (15/07/03) (Includes Audio!)

• LLSC Reveal Delight At John Gurney's Departure (15/07/03)

• Trust In Luton To Hold Second Public Meeting (15/07/03)

• The Clown Is Out Of Town - Luton Go Into Administrative Receivership (14/07/03)

• Trust In Luton Urge Fans To Honour Pledges (14/07/03)

• Hatters Midfielder Spring Hits Out At John Gurney (12/07/03)

• Football League To Investigate Luton Town Football Club (12/07/03)

• Trust In Luton - Committee Respond To Football League Statement (11/07/03)

• Trust In Luton - Committee Urge Fans To Stay Firm (11/07/03)

• Football League To Reveal Statement Regarding Club Today (11/07/03)

• Kinnear To Receive Honorary Degree From University Of Luton (10/07/03)

• Kinnear: "I Really Do Fear The Worst For The Club" (10/07/03)

• Kinnear Involved In Consortium Interested In Taking Over Club (09/07/03)

• Trust In Luton Meet With Minister For Sport (08/07/03)

• History Repeating - Does The Same Fate Await Luton Town? (06/07/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Newell: "It's A Difficult Period For The Club" (05/07/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Nicholls: "I Don't Think Gurney Has Got Club's Interests At Heart" (05/07/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Luton Town's Players And Staff Paid - But Nicholls Still Hits Out (04/07/03)

• Trust In Luton - Pledge Total Soars (03/07/03)

• Newell Calls For Transfer Embargo To Be Lifted (01/07/03)

• John Gurney Speaks On BBC Three Counties Radio (30/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Kinnear: "I'd Still Come Back - If Gurney Had Gone" (30/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Sports Writer Of The Year Has His Say On Luton Town (30/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - You Can Now Pledge Via E-Mail (30/06/03)

• Kelly: "Trust In Luton Have Not Stemmed The Flow Of Bizarre Info From Gurney" (29/06/03)

• Cotterill: "I Was Offered The Manager's Job Before Newell" (29/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Interim Committee Statement (27/06/03)

• Luton Town's Staff And Players Not Paid For This Month (26/06/03)

• Luton's Margaret Moran MP Meets With Sports Minister (26/06/03)

• Newell Attempts To Bring Harford Back To Luton (24/06/03)

• Harford Thanks You For Your Messages Of Support On Lutonfc.com (23/06/03)

• Mike Newell Appointed New Luton Town Manager (23/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Trust In Luton Make Manager Statement (23/06/03)

• Cotterill Says 'No' To Manager's Position (23/06/03)

• Rumours Mount That Kinnear Won't Return (21/06/03)

• Gurney Answers Questions On BBC Three Counties Radio (19/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Trust In Luton Arrange Meeting With Gurney (18/06/03)

• A Statement From The Loyal Luton Supporters Club (18/06/03)

• Gurney: "Kinnear Could Return As Manager" (17/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Kinnear On The Final List Of 3 Managers To Vote For (16/06/03)

• What Is Really Happening With The Takeover?: A Fan's View (16/06/03)

• Pleat Linked With Return To Luton Town (15/06/03)

• Trust In Luton Reiterate Meeting Plea To Gurney (15/06/03)

• Statement From Yvonne Fletcher (13/06/03)

• Gurney Claims Fletcher Has Meeting With Kohler (13/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Committee Ask For Pledges (13/06/03)

• Bedford RFU Hit Back At Gurney Inaccuracies (11/06/03)

• Gurney: "All This Rubbish On The Official-Looking Unofficial Site is Nothing To Do With Anyone Who Is A True Supporter"! (11/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Three Statements Released (11/06/03)

• Gurney Alledges Watson-Challis Activities To Be Illegal (10/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Barnet Pull Out Of Pre-Season Friendly With Hatters (10/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - New Committee Statement (10/06/03)

• Winkleman: "I Don't See The Point In A Luton - Wimbledon Merger" (09/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Gurney Releases Initial Report Of Plans For The Club (09/06/03)

• Newbery Resigns As Director And Company Secretary (09/06/03)

• Yvonne Fletcher Resigns (09/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• BBC Three Counties Radio To Speak Exclusively To Kinnear And Harford (09/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Full Details Of The Public Meeting (09/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Public Meeting Statement (09/06/03)

• Gurney: "We Can Create In Excess Of £50 Million Per Year For The Football Club" (09/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - What Happened At The Public Meeting (07/06/03)

• Gurney: "Consortium Will Reveal All Tomorrow" (07/06/03)

• New Owners Issue Statement Regarding 'Trust In Luton' (07/06/03)

• Former Hatters Chairman Watson-Challis Issues A New Statement (07/06/03)

• Message From Yvonne Fletcher (06/06/03)

• Ch, Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes - But Not To London Luton FC! (06/06/03)

• The Ways That You Can Contact Authorities About The Club (06/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Public Meeting: Further Details (05/06/03)

• Harford Turns Down Opportunity To Return To Luton Town (04/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Club In Talks With Kinnear As Phones Lines Open For New Manager Nominations (03/06/03)

• Harford Offered His Job Back At The Club (03/06/03)

• Terrell And Power Decide Not To Join The New Board (02/06/03)

• Trust In Luton - Public Meeting (02/06/03)

• Trust In Luton: Do Not Vote For The New Manager (02/06/03)

• Chairman Confirms That He Does Not Know What He's Doing (01/06/03) (Includes Audio!)

• FA To Investigate Luton Town Football Club (01/06/03)

• Gurney's 'Disappearing Act': It's Been Done Before (01/06/03)

• Club Asks Fans To Vote For The New Manager! (30/05/03)

• Luton Staff And Players Now Paid (30/05/03)

• Luton Town Offer Supporters Trust Meeting Room (30/05/03)

• Property Developer Lebetkin Says He Nearly Bought The Club (30/05/03)

• Former Chairman Still Sees A Bright Future For The Club (30/05/03)

• Hood: "Kinnear And Harford Have Not Been Sacked" (30/05/03)

• Bassett: "I Would Consider Returning" (30/05/03)

• Watson-Challis Attempts To Placate Fan Anger (29/05/03)

• Message From Yvonne Fletcher (29/05/03)

• Sign Your Name To The Online Petition Now! (28/05/03)

• Fans' Protest: The Day The Fans Were Heard (28/05/03)

• Joe Kinnear And Mick Harford Desktop Wallpaper Available (27/05/03)

• Terrell And Power New Chairman And Vice-Chairman (27/05/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Latest Fans' Protest Developments (27/05/03)

• Luton Supporters To Perform A Protest (25/05/2003)

• Fenwick Confirms Interview For Luton Manager's Job (25/05/03)

• Harford: "It's The Worst Decision In The Club's History" (25/05/03) (Includes Audio!)

• Your Thank You Messages To Joe Kinnear And Mick Harford (24/05/03)

• Joe Kinnear And Mick Harford Sacked (23/05/03)

• Your Thank You Messages To Mike Watson-Challis (20/05/03)

• Breaking News: New Owners Of Luton Town Football Club (20/05/03)