By Robbie Butler
Some time ago now, I wrote this piece about Luton Town and the many relegations and promotions the club had gone through in recent times. At an event online in the US last week, I was reminded about how unusually this is to those in North America. In fact, the open systems that exist in Europe are much more competitive than the US sports model. The European Super League was doomed for many reasons, with one of the main reasons being the removal of the open system.
Luton Town are still on the march. Now in their third season in the second tier of English football, the club currently sit in 4th place. While automatic promotion to the English Premier League is unlikely, there is a strong possibility of the club making the playoffs and gaining promotion through this route.
What a rise this will be. While I am old enough to remember Luton playing in the old top tier in the early 1990s, the club was relegated the season before the Premier League started. They have remained outside the top tier since. However, what is more remarkable, is that they were not in the Football League (top 92 clubs) as recently as May 2014. A journey to the Premier League for the start of the 2022/23 season would be some achievement.
And while Luton rise, spare a thought for Oldham Athletic. The Latics may become the first team to leave the Football League having once played in the Premier League. The club spent two seasons in the newly formed Premier League from 1992 to 1994. They have not returned since. They now sit in the relegation zone of England's 4th tier.
Next month we will know if they will leave the Football League. And should they, those involved should take some comfort from Luton Town. Anything is possible.
Some time ago now, I wrote this piece about Luton Town and the many relegations and promotions the club had gone through in recent times. At an event online in the US last week, I was reminded about how unusually this is to those in North America. In fact, the open systems that exist in Europe are much more competitive than the US sports model. The European Super League was doomed for many reasons, with one of the main reasons being the removal of the open system.
Luton Town are still on the march. Now in their third season in the second tier of English football, the club currently sit in 4th place. While automatic promotion to the English Premier League is unlikely, there is a strong possibility of the club making the playoffs and gaining promotion through this route.
What a rise this will be. While I am old enough to remember Luton playing in the old top tier in the early 1990s, the club was relegated the season before the Premier League started. They have remained outside the top tier since. However, what is more remarkable, is that they were not in the Football League (top 92 clubs) as recently as May 2014. A journey to the Premier League for the start of the 2022/23 season would be some achievement.
And while Luton rise, spare a thought for Oldham Athletic. The Latics may become the first team to leave the Football League having once played in the Premier League. The club spent two seasons in the newly formed Premier League from 1992 to 1994. They have not returned since. They now sit in the relegation zone of England's 4th tier.
Next month we will know if they will leave the Football League. And should they, those involved should take some comfort from Luton Town. Anything is possible.
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