Luton’s chief feels that gaining Category Two status would radically transform the Hatters.

According to Luton manager Rob Edwards, the Hatters would undergo a full transformation and be able to shield their younger players from being targeted by other teams if they are able to ultimately attain their objective of obtaining Category Two status.

For several years, Town has been attempting to downgrade from Category Three to Two. Most recently, Town reapplied for planning permission to erect an air dome on the playing field beside Barnfield Academy South at Cutenhoe Road. Luton would then be eligible to participate in the Premier League’s U23 development games program, allowing their kids to play against some of the best players in the league at their age.

Since he spent a significant portion of his coaching career in an academy setting—first leading the U18 team at Wolverhampton Wanderers, then leading the U23 team at Molineux and winning promotion to Premier League Two Division One—Edwards is well aware of how significant it would be. In addition, he oversaw the England U20s and served as head coach for the England U16s. Addressing the issue, he stated: “Becoming a Category Two team would be a huge step, as it would provide endless benefits.”

“Game programs help push our young players and get the best games, the best opposition possible, so it will completely change us and protect us from other clubs coming to look at some of our young talented players.” It’s something that would be incredibly helpful, so hopefully we can move as fast as possible to get it going. These things take a long time to complete; we prepare extensively and work hard to make progress. Although it might not happen right immediately, it will be to our great advantage.

Since Luton’s stunning ascent from League Two to the Premier League, the senior squad has received more attention; however, Zack Nelson and Joe Johnson made their top flight debuts last season, and young players like Axel Piesold, Dominic Dos Santos Martins, and Christian Chigozie were all benched as well.

Edwards notes, “The fact that stuff on the grass with the first team has progressed really quickly, it does leave other areas behind.” Edwards understands how important it is that the academy now catches up with those above them. The club is always striving to advance, and it is really important to us since nothing is greater than seeing your own players develop and make the starting squad. We would have a fantastic opportunity to continue providing our players with the best opportunity here rather than having them go elsewhere if we were granted Category Two status.