FEATURE: The last time Luton Town beat every Premier League club away from home in the top flight
With Luton reaching the Premier League after winning the Championship play-off final recently, it means the Hatters will be facing some of the biggest clubs in English football once more this season.
It’s not the first time Town have been a top flight side though, going up on three other occasions in their history during the 1950s, 1970s and 1980s, their last season back in the 1991-92 campaign, then known as Division One, just over 30 years ago.
The Luton News has taken a look back at the last time the Hatters beat the other 19 Premier League teams away from Kenilworth Road when they were a top flight side, and to find out when that was, check out the gallery below.
1. Dec 26, 1959: Arsenal 0 Luton Town 3
The Hatters ran out comfortable winners at Highbury over 60 years ago, a victory orchestrated by Billy Bingham. His corner set up Tony Gregory (pictured) to score with a fine drive on 37 minutes. After the break, Bingham and Allan Brown combined for Gregory’s second, as late on, Gordon Turner tapped into an empty net to make it 3-0
2. Mar 9, 1991: Aston Villa 1 Luton Town 2
Luton were in front at Villa Park when defender Derek Mountfield headed past his own keeper, as Mark Pembridge (pictured) netted his first goal for the club with a brilliant volley. Tony Cascarino halved the deficit, before Alec Chamberlain saved David Platt’s penalty to ensure the points went back to Bedfordshire. Photo: Hatters Heritage
3. Bournemouth
Luton have never met Bournemouth in a top flight encounter
4. Brentford
Luton have never faced Brentford in a top flight match
5. Jan 22, 1983: Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Luton Town 4
Luton eased to a fine success over their fellow strugglers at the Goldstone Ground. England international Ricky Hill scored twice, as the Seagulls also gave Town a huge helping hand, Gary Stevens and Jimmy Case both netting own goals.
6. Feb 15, 1958: Burnley 1 Luton Town 2
Gordon Turner (pictured) and Allan Brown both found the net as Luton completed the double over the Clarets that season, having won 3-2 at Kenilworth Road earlier in the campaign. Photo: Hatters Heritage
7. Sept 6, 1986: Chelsea 1 Luton Town 3
Former Luton forward Kerry Dixon put the hosts in front, only for Mike Newell to level before half time. Newell then bagged a second after the break when taking advantage of a long clearance. After Colin Pates had to go off injured, leaving the Blues with 10 men, Brian Stein wrapped up the points.
8. Crystal Palace
Luton have never beaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in a top flight encounter, with two draws and one defeat from their three trips to date. Photo: Hatters Heritage
9. Sept 24, 1988: Everton 0 Luton Town 2
An end-to-end game in which both goalkeepers starred, the hosts’ Neville Southall and Luton’s Les Sealey making terrific saves. It was after the break the deadlock was broken when David Oldfield (pictured) finally beat the Welshman, drilling home after a shot had been parried. Kingsley Black then rounded the Toffees stopper to find the net from an acute angle to double Luton’s lead and seal the points.
10. Fulham
Luton have never beaten Fulham in the top flight, losing their only previous trip, a 4-2 Division One defeat at Craven Cottage back in the 1959-60 season, Billy Bingham netting twice.
11. Liverpool
Luton have never won at Anfield in a top flight encounter, with three draws, including a 3-3 back in 1982, and eight defeats from their 11 previous matches, scoring nine goals and conceding 31
12. May 14, 1983: Manchester City 0 Luton Town 1
One of the most famous games in Luton’s history, as the final game of the 1982-83 Division One season saw the winner of this match at Maine Road stay up. It was the Hatters who did so though as with five minutes go to, Raddy Antic netted a terrific strike which led to David Pleat’s now famous jig on to the pitch at the full time whistle. Photo: Hatters Heritage
13. Manchester United
Luton have never won at Old Trafford in a top flight encounter, losing all 15 of their previous visits, scoring just six goals in that time and conceding 43. Photo: Clive Brunskill
14. Newcastle United
Town are still yet to win at St James’ Park in the top flight, drawing four matches and losing seven, scoring 10 goals in that time and conceding 23. Photo: George Wood
15. Mar 12, 1983: Nottingham Forest 0 Luton Town 1
England international Ricky Hill produced a wonderful display at the City Ground, scoring the only goal of the game when dispossessing Willie Young and going through to fire home in the 1-0 victory. Photo: Hatters Heritage
16. Dec 26, 1955: Sheffield United 0 Luton Town 4
Luton went to Bramall Lane on Boxing Day and thrashed the Blades in front of almost 30,000 as Mick Cullen (pictured), Gordon Turner, Reg Pearce and Bob Morton found the net. Town completed the double just 24 hours later, with the return game seeing Luton win 2-1 at Kenilworth Road on December 27. Photo: Hatters Heritage
17. Nov 9, 1985: Spurs 1 Luton Town 3
Luton picked up a first win at White Hart Lane since 1948 as they took advantage of an under-par display from Tottenham. Mick Harford and Brian Stein scored Town’s first two goals, Ricky Hill sealing victory with a powerful strike. Photo: Hatters Heritage
18. Aug 24, 1985: West Ham 0 Luton Town 1
A splendid performance from Hatters keeper Andy Dibble paved the way for Luton to triumph, as they bagged the only goal when Brian Stein was fouled by Ray Stewart in the area and Mick Harford netted the resulting penalty
19. Jan 21 1984: Wolves 1 Luton 2
Up against bottom side Wolves, Garry Parker netted from close range to put the Hatters 1-0 up. Luton born John Pender equalised for the hosts against the run of play, but Town emerged triumphant thanks to Paul Walsh’s instinctive overhead kick in the closing stages
