The Ground                                   Kenilworth Road - Home of the Hatters

HISTORY

Kenilworth Road was built at the beginning of the 20th century and the first Luton match played at the ground was in 1905.  Unfortunately, in 1920 one of the stands burnt down and was replaced by what is today known as the 'Main Stand'. The club also decided to enlarge the other existing stands at the same time, which resulted in Kenilworth Road having a capacity of 25,000.

The attendances were counted for the first time in the 1932/33 season and Luton had an average attendance of 5,868. In the 1935-36 campaign, Luton attracted a crowd of 23,142 for the match with Coventry City.  Following this large attendance (at least by Luton's standards) the club decided to enlarge the ground, with the 'Kenilworth Stand' extended.  The Oak Road was also given a roof, and the 'Main Stand' received major improvements.  This took the ground's capacity up to 30,000.

Kenilworth Road.

In the 10 year period that followed, the club had an average attendance between 15,000 and 18,000 and in 1953 Luton added electrical lights and placed them around the stadium.  They were used for the first time in a friendly against Turkish side Fenerbahçe the same season.   Luton had their highest ever league attendance in the 1955/56 season when 27911 attended for the match with Wolverhampton Wanderers.  A couple of years later the all-time highest attendance for a Luton Town FC match was set when Blackpool visited in an FA Cup 6th round replay with 30,069 spectators watching.  It is still a record attendance for a Luton Town FC home match.

Over the following years an introduction of seating in all parts, executive boxes etc. resulted in the stadium capacity slowly being reduced to 9,970 spectators, with 7,770 seats available for home supporters.

Other notable historical periods in the history of the ground included the ground being torn apart by Millwall 'supporters' in 1986 and this resulted in the club banning away supporters and also introducing a membership card scheme.  The club also had an artificial pitch that didn't win many friends in the football world.  Thankfully, this was removed in the early 90's.

About half a mile west of the town centre, Kenilworth Road simply cannot be rebuilt as it is hemmed in on three sides by terraced housing, so much so that the entrances to the away end cut under people's bedrooms!  However, at the end of the 2004-05 season and following the club's promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship, an extra 550 seats were added to the top of the Kenilworth Road end stand, taking the total capacity of the ground to 10,155.

On match days police close the roads around the ground, and children from the local Asian community come pouring out to play cricket and football in the traffic-free streets.  It's a pity more can't be enticed in to watch Luton.  For football fans, nearby Dunstable Road is the place for food, while the town centre and railway station are a 10-15 minute walk away.  Parking is all on-street, so arrive early for the best places.

The club have held high hopes of moving to a new purpose-built stadium for a number of years.  Former chairman David Kohler wanted to build the 'Kohlerdome' just off of junction 10 of the M1.  This would be a 20,000 all-seated stadium with a retractable roof, which could also be used for other purposes, such as staging music concerts.  Costing £30 million it would provide the club with some stability for the future.  However, many members of the public and counselors opposed the building of the ground, and despite the departure of Kohler, and several directors and chairmen later, new chairman Bill Tomlins has pledged to continue the fight.  This constant struggle has even caused the club to consider moving to an out-of-town location, possibly Milton Keynes, although this measure would be met by a severe reaction from the fans who would strongly oppose any action to move the club from the town.

CONTACT

Address:

Kenilworth Road Stadium

1 Maple Road

Luton

Beds

LU4 8AW

Telephone:

Main Switchboard:  01582 - 411622

Fax:  01582 - 405070

Ticket Office:  0870 - 0170656

24-hour Ticket Hotline:  01582 - 730748

Community Department:  01582 - 391927

• To contact Club Secretary Cherry Newbery with comments and questions about the club, please click HERE. 

DIRECTIONS

BY CAR:

From South (M1):  Exit M1 at junction 10 (s/p A1081 Luton (S)).  At motorway roundabout, turn right (s/p Luton South A1081) onto the AL081.  After 0.5 miles, turn left at junction 10A (the next roundabout, s/p Stockwood County Park, Mossman Collection) into London Road.  After 1.2 miles, turn left at roundabout (s/p Ring Road, Bedford A6, Dunstable A505) onto the Ring Road flyover.  Go straight on for 0.4 miles, and then, immediately before the roundabout, turn left into Dallow Lane.  After 0.4 miles turn right into Clifton Road.  The ground is over the bridge at the end of the road.

From North (M1):  Exit M1 at junction 11.  At roundabout turn left (s/p Luton A505) onto the A505 Dunstable Road.  After 0.6 miles the road divides - bear right, following signs for the A505, remaining on Dunstable Road.  The A505 leads to the ground.  At the Birchlink Gyratory after 1.7 miles, follow 'Town Centre A505' signs round small one-way system and the ground is down the streets on the LHS.

From East (A505):  At first roundabout on outskirts of Luton, go straight on (s/p Luton A505, Motorway M1) into Stopsley Way.  At roundabout after 0.5 miles turn left (s/p Town Centre, Dunstable A505, M1) onto Vauxhall Way.  At next roundabout after 0.7 miles, turn right (no s/p) into Crawley Green Road.  Head down the hill for 1.0 miles to St Mary's Roundabout.  Here, go straight across (s/p Dunstable A505, Bedford A6) onto Park Viaduct, and over flyover.  Straight on at next roundabout (s/p Dunstable A505, Bedford A6).  Go straight on for 0.4 miles, and then, immediately before the roundabout, turn left into Dallow Lane.  After 0.4 miles turn right into Clifton Road.  The ground is over the bridge at the end of the road.

FROM RAILWAY STATION (LUTON):

By taxi:  £3.00

By bus:  Nos. 31, 37, 38 and 61 run from Park Square or Upper George Street (by the Town Hall) along Dunstable Road.

By foot:  Follow signs to 'London Luton Airport, Railair Coach Link' down steps into Station Road, and turn right.  Straight across Old Bedford Road into Mill Street, passing Job Centre on LHS.  At T-junction by 'Pizza Palace' cross road and turn right.  Follow road round, passing 'To Pigathki' on LHS, and before the roundabout turn left through pedestrian area towards Sainsburys and the gents toilets.  Turn left along dual carriageway and up the pathway.  Keep on path until there's a roundabout below.  Bear right on walkway to central ironwork 'pagoda', and take first walkway down into Dunstable Road.  First left to ground.

Last midweek trains:  There are frequent trains to London Kings Cross Thameslink.  There's a train to Leicester at 22.22 (with a connection to Birmingham).  For many destinations, fans need to travel via London - please double check on 0345 - 484950.

BY BUS:

In addition to those listed under 'From Railway Station', bus nos. 5, 15, 27 and 238 run from Manchester Street to Dunstable Road.

PARKING

Its street parking for all except honoured guests, but nearby roads have few restrictions.  The local police, however, warn about car crime, and advise fans to park in the town centre, which is covered by CCTV.  There is also a nearby car park, which is only about ten minutes walk from the ground.

PUB GUIDE

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE:

The Bedfordshire Yeoman (1):  214 Dallow Lane.  Tel:  01582 - 730469.  Greene King.  Large pub, modern outside but more traditional inside, with pleasant lounge area.  Pool, darts, TV, patio.  Open:  all day.

Nelson's Flagship (2):  2-5 Dunstable Rod, Westside Centre.  Tel: 01582 - 488441.  Whitbread.  Popular modern-style pub, with anchors and oars decorating the walls.  Bar snacks served from 1 pm, as well as West Indian cuisine such as curried goat, banana porridge and patties!  Pool table, darts, TV.  Open:  all day from 11:30 am.

The Bricklayers Arms (3):  High Town Road.  Tel: 01582 - 611017.  Free House.  A great little pub in a 100-year-old listed building, renowned for its beers.  Sandwiches, darts, patio.  Open:  all day at weekends; from 5 pm for midweek games.

The Well (4):  5 High Town Road.  Tel: 01582 - 618811.  Free House (with Whitbread).  Traditional Irish bar with authentic sports memorabilia and farm equipment on the walls!  Big-screen TV.  Bar meals served all day.  Families welcome.  Open:  all day from 12 pm.

The Bridge Tavern (5):  95 Guildford Street.  Tel: 01582 - 730868.  Whitbread.  Large sporting pub, with two pool tables, big-screen TV.  Open:  all day.

FOOD

Luton supporters highly recommend the takeaway 'Bluebird One' on the corner of Clifton Road and Wimborne Road.  The chips are truly excellent.  The nearby Dunstable Road is choc-a-bloc with takeaways, including a 'KFC'.  There is also a 'Burger King' and a 'MacDonalds' in the Arndale Centre in the town centre.

FACILITIES

Total Capacity:  10,155.   For away fans (Oak Road Stand) 2,220.  Turnstiles 6-8 on Oak Road.

MATCH DAY ADMISSION 2005-06 SEASON:

MAIN STAND:

Main Stand A-E:

• Adults £25.
• Concessions £14.50.

Main Stand Block F:

• Adults £20.50.
• Concessions £13.50.

Main Stand Enclosure C-G:

• Adults £20.50.
• Concessions £13.50.

Main Stand Restricted View Blocks A, B, H &J:

• Adults £14.50.
• Concessions £11.50.

KENILWORTH END:

Kenilworth End - Upper and Lower Tier:

• Adults £20.50.
• Concessions £13.50.

NEW STAND:

New Stand (Family Stand) (Minimum purchase to qualify 1 Adult & 1 Junior):

• 1 Adult £16.50.
• 1 Junior £10.50.

OAK ROAD END (FOR AWAY SUPPORTERS):

Oak Road Stand:

• Adults £20.50
• Concessions (senior citizens and juniors) £13.50.  Concessions must be bought in advance from the away club.  Some matches may be all-ticket.

Ticket Office Opening Hours:

Monday to Thursday:  10 am - 4 pm.

Friday:  10 am - 6 pm, prior to home match days.

Saturday (match days):  9 am - 3 pm and 4:45 pm - 5:15 pm.  Saturday (non-match day):  Open until coaches leave for the away match.  Contact the ticket office on 0870 - 0170656.

Disabled Facilities:  Space at pitch level in front of the Main Stand enclosure.  Disabled Toilet:  Nearby.  Cost:  Free for disabled, full price for helper.  Booking:  A month in advance.  For The Blind:  Hospital radio commentary is sometimes available.  Please check with the club.

Programme:  £2.50

Visitors Toilets:  Male:  'Fascinating in a surreal sort of way,' wrote a Gillingham fan.  'They are in a house where the lounge should be.  I imagine it reduced the value of the property!'  All that said, they are not half as bad as expected.  Female:  The soap was hard and there was no toilet paper, but it was well lit and the doors had working locks.

Food and Drink:  Southend United fans found the burgers tasty but overpriced.  A group of hungry youngsters, scoffing burgers laden with mustard and ketchup, said they'd definitely buy more if they had the money.  On the other hand, the hot dog was 'abysmal', cold with stale bread and no meaty taste at all.  So go for the pies, which were at least hot.  The tea was good.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local Radio:

BBC Three Counties Radio 103.8 FM, 95.5 FM, 630 MW - Provides an excellent sports section, starting from 2 pm on a Saturday and finishing at 6 pm.  This includes Luton Town, as well as Watford, Stevenage Borough, Milton Keynes Dons and Wycombe Wanderers. 

B97 Chiltern FM 96.9 FM, mainly music.

GROUND MAP

MAIN STAND

The Main Stand.

The 'Main Stand' has a capacity of 4,566 and is the biggest stand at Kenilworth Road.  The stand has a press box and the directors usually sit in this stand.  The more luxury guests have their own balcony's.  There is also a fair amount of noise generated by supporters in the corner of this stand directly near the away supporters in the Oak Road end.  These supporters usually start the majority of the songs on a match day!

NEW STAND

The New Stand.

The 'New Stand' is the newest and most modern stand in the ground.  It was built to fill the gap between the 'Main Stand' and the 'Kenilworth Road' end.  It has a capacity of 700 and from the 2000-01 season it was used to house families, as a 'Family Stand'.

KENILWORTH STAND

The Kenilworth Stand.

The 'Kenilworth Stand' was formerly terracing, but has since, like the rest of the ground, been converted to an all-seated stand.  Most of the noise during the home matches comes from this stand, the song "Come On You Hatters!" being a usual chant from the fans in this stand!

OAK ROAD STAND

The Oak Road Stand.

The Oak Road stand, which houses the away supporters.  The stand has a capacity of 2,220 spectators.

EXECUTIVE BOXES

The Executive Boxes.

There are 26 executive boxes at Kenilworth Road with a capacity of 200 spectators.  It costs around £1000 to hire a box for one game.  Every box is a mini "restaurant" and those who hire a box gets to meet the players before the game, have a tour of Kenilworth Road, receive a complimentary match programme, a signed football, two luxury meals and more.  Every box also includes a television and seats.