TOP NEWS: £30k Luton Town signing still memorable, particularly given what… read more

The 2023/24 season marked a historic milestone for Luton Town, as they made their Premier League debut for the first time ever. Following their promotion from the Championship via the 2023 play-off final, the Hatters’ top-flight journey ended in disappointment with immediate relegation back to the second tier. Despite this setback, the club can take pride in their remarkable achievement of reaching the Premier League after a journey that spanned over three decades, from non-league football to the top tier.

One of the key figures in Luton Town’s ascent was Andre Gray. Initially joining the club on loan in March 2012 from Hinckley United, Gray made a significant impact, scoring seven goals in just 12 appearances. His impressive performance led to a permanent transfer in the summer of 2012 for a fee around £30,000, a move that proved to be an incredible bargain.

Gray’s first full season with Luton saw him score 17 goals in 44 league matches, although promotion eluded the team. However, the following season, Gray played a pivotal role in Luton’s successful 2013/14 campaign, scoring 30 goals and helping the team achieve promotion as champions.

His performances caught the attention of higher divisions, leading to a move to Brentford in 2014, where he scored 20 goals in his debut season. This success earned him a transfer to Burnley in August 2015 for £9 million, with Luton receiving a significant portion through sell-on clauses. At Burnley, Gray continued to excel, winning the Championship Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards, and helping the team return to the Premier League.

Gray’s Premier League stint with Burnley was followed by a move to Watford in the summer of 2017 for around £18.5 million. Although his time at Vicarage Road was less fruitful, with Watford relegating from the Premier League in the 2019/20 season and Gray spending the 2021/22 season on loan at QPR, his contributions to Luton Town’s rise remain a significant part of the club’s history.