9 October 1961 - Planes, Trains, And Automobiles

On 9 October 1961, Gillingham made a tremendous effort to reach Barrow for a league match and, for their troubles, left with a 7-0 loss.

The day started badly enough for Gillingham when their train to Barrow missed its connection in London. In an attempt to make it to the match on time, they chartered a plane to Blackpool, then took a set of cabs to Barrow's ground. When they finally arrived, it was well past the scheduled starting time, but the match went ahead.

Due to the late start, and because Barrow did not have floodlights, darkness soon became an issue, forcing the referee to halt the match in the 76th minute. By that time, Gillingham were already down 7-0. Given the scoreline and the fact that the delay had been caused by Gillingham, the Football League allowed the result to stand. It was just one goal short of their record defeat, an 8-0 loss to Luton in 1929.

5 April 2009 - They Didn't Go Down Without A Fight (Or A Trophy)

On 5 April 2009, Luton Town won the Football League Trophy in extra time over Scunthorpe, capping a run of last-gasp heroics for the Hatters in the tournament. The run of good fortune did not extend elsewhere, however, as Luton Town finished the season at the bottom of the English fourth tier and were relegated out of the Football League entirely.

The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, is an annual tournament open only to teams in the third and fourth divisions of the England's Football League. That season, Luton entered the competition in the Second Round, where they advanced on penalties over Brentford, 2-2 (4-3). After close 1-0 wins over Walsall and Colchester, Luton again advanced on penalties, this time over Brighton & Hove Albion in the semifinals 1-1 (4-3).

That set up the meeting with Scunthorpe, who reached the Final with victories over Notts County (2-1), Grimsby Town (2-1), Rochdale (1-0), Tranmere Rovers (2-1), and Rotherham United (3-0, agg.)

Playing before a crowd of 55,378 at Wembley, Scunthorpe took an early lead with a 14th-minute goal from striker Gary Hooper, but Luton pushed ahead with goals from their forward pairing of Chris Martin (32') and Tom Craddock (70'). Scunthorpe midfielder then ensured extra time with a strike in the 88th minute, but it was Luton who took advantage as substitute winger Claude Gnapka provided the 95th-minute match-winner.

That's where the magic ended for Luton, who went on to endure their third consecutive relegation thanks to a 30-point deduction at the beginning of the season for financial reasons. They dropped out of the Football League and into the Football Conference, so that they were unable to defend their title the next season.

30 January 1937 - A Good Day To Stay At Home

On 30 January 1937, the home sides went undefeated in all 35 FA Cup and Football League matches.

Of the 16 FA Cup matches that day, only one involved two top-ten First Division clubs, as 6th place Derby County rolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over 3rd place Brentford in the FA Cup. Other First Division match-ups in the Cup included 15th place Preston North End hammering 14th place Stoke City 5-1, 10th place Everton beating 19th place Sheffield Wednesday 3-0, and 1st place Arsenal crushing 22nd place Manchester United, 5-0. Both Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United would end the season in the two relegation spots.

Arsenal's margin of victory was the largest in the Cup that day, but was both matched and exceeded in Division Two, where Blackburn beat Newcastle 6-1 and, in the day's most lopsided result, Blackpool rode over Bradford Park Avenue, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Luton Town provided the Cup's shock of the day, as the Third Division South side held reigning League champions Sunderland to a 2-2 draw. Two other Third Division South teams provided upsets, as Millwall defeated First Division Chelsea 3-0 and Exeter City beat Second Division Leicester City 3-1. Exeter's victory looked even more impressive at the end of the season, as Leicester won the Second Division, while Exeter finished 21st in the Third Division South.

Four Cup matches went to replays, including York City's scoreless draw at Swansea. It was part of a pattern for York, who had earned home replays in the two previous rounds. But the pattern broke with Swansea, who won at York, 1-3. In fact, the visiting teams won three of the four replays for that round, with the only exception being Sunderland's 3-1 victory over Luton. Sunderland (pictured) proceeded to win the FA Cup that year, beating Preston North End in the Final.

11 January 2007 - Birmingham Plucks The Vine

On 11 January 2007, Birmingham City signed striker Rowan Vine from Luton Town. It turned out to be a bad decision for both of them.

At the time Vine made the switch, Birmingham were on the top of the Championship table, but had suffered injuries to their strike force of Cameron Jerome, Nicklas Bendtner, and Mikael Forsell, prompting manager Steve Bruce to look to the transfer window. Vine, then 24 years old, had gotten Bruce's attention by scoring three goals against Birmingham that season, helping Luton taking four points from the teams' two meetings. And he had a scorer's pedigree with 31 league goals for the Hatters from 2004 to 2007. He also sat near the top of the club's assist charts for those seasons.

Luton, who had paid close to £250,000 for Vine, made a generous profit on the move, receiving £3 million from Birmingham, including a £500,000 bonus when Birmingham were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season. Vine, however, did not share the club's good fortune.

He scored only 1 goal in 17 league appearances for Birmingham and went on loan to QPR in October 2007, then signed for them permanently in 2008. Since then, he has moved around England and Scotland and currently plays for semi-professional side Gosport Borough in the National League South, which is in the sixth tier of England's football pyramid.

7 January 2006 - Alonso's Long-Distance Delivery

On 7 January 2006, Liverpool overcame a two-goal second half deficit against Luton Town in the FA Cup Third Round, capping the win with a 65-yard goal from midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The reigning Champions League winners, Liverpool were sitting third in the Premier League table, having just ended a 10-match winning streak with a draw against Bolton. So it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with a 16th-minute Steven Gerrard to take the lead against Luton, then a mid-table Championship side freshly promoted from League One.

But the tide turned midway through the first half, as the Luton midfield took control of the match. They were rewarded with a 31st-minute equalizer from forward Steve Howard, then took the lead 12 minutes later with a goal from midfielder Steve Robinson. In the second half, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson brought striker Rowan Vine down in the box. Luton captain Kevin Nicholls converted the 53rd-minute spot kick to extend the lead to 3-1.

But the hosts began to wear down, conceding three goals in the space of 12 minutes, including a brace from substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle (62', 74') and one from Alonso (69'). Alonso secured the win with a flourish in stoppage time, collecting the rebound from a Luton corner, rounding the keeper who had come up for the kick, then driving a left-footed shot from inside his own half that curled into the center of the unguarded Luton net.

Liverpool used the victory as a springboard, going on to win the Cup that year.

6 December 1930 - Thames Set A Low-Water Mark

On 6 December 1930, Thames AFC set a Football League record when only 469 people showed up for their Third Division South match against visiting Luton Town.

Thames had been founded only two years earlier by a group of businessmen who had built a new ground--West Ham Stadium (pictured)--and needed a team to fill it. The stadium had a capacity of 120,000, but Thames competed for supporters with several nearby clubs who were older and thus more established, including West Ham United, Millwall, Charlton, and Orient.

Despite poor support, Thames fared well, finishing in third place in the Southern League Eastern Division in 1930 to earn election to the Third Division South. There, however, they struggled, winning only three matches and drawing two out of their first 16 to sit dead last in the table when Luton came to town.

Although only 469 people attended, they witnessed a rare sight as Thames eked out a 1-0 victory. Luton's share of the ticket sales was a meager 1s, 7d. It was paid by postal order, which Luton framed and displayed in their boardroom.

Thames narrowly avoided relegation that year, but succumbed the following year and promptly dissolved. West Ham Stadium continued in use for racing and occasional baseball until it closed in 1972.

13 April 1936 - Bristol Rovers Feel The Payne

On 13 April 1936, Luton Town crushed Bristol Rovers 12-0 in a Division Three (South) match. 10 of the goals were scored by one player, Joe Payne, whose tally remains the record number of goals scored by one individual in a League match.

Payne (pictured, on the left in the white shirt) joined the Hatters the previous season at the age of 20. By the time of the match against Rovers, he was primarily a reserve team player, but was forced into starting at center forward on 13 April due to injuries among his teammates. His 10 goals, however, secured his place in the first team and he led Luton Town to promotion the next season, scoring 55 goals.

In addition to Payne's record haul, the match remains Luton Town's greatest victory and Bristol Rovers' worst loss.

24 April 1988 - The Hatters Go Mad

On 24 April 1988, Luton Town F.C. staged a dramatic upset victory over heavily-favored Arsenal in the 1988 League Cup Final, claiming the club's first major trophy.

Playing at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 95,732, the Hatters shocked the defending champions by taking an early lead with a goal from forward Brian Stein in the 13th minute. In the second half, however, Arsenal rallied. Gunners striker Alan Smith brought them level in the 71st minute, then winger Martin Hayes scored three minutes later to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead.

The match appeared to be a certain victory for Arsenal when, in the 85th minute, the Gunners were awarded a penalty. Luton keeper Andy Dibble saved Nigel Winterburn's spot kick, however, and the Hatters regained their early momentum. In the 82nd minute, after a faulty clearance from Arsenal defender Gus Caesar near the edge of his penalty area, Stein crossed the ball in for Luton midfielder Danny Wilson, who headed home the equalizer.

With seconds left in regulation, and extra time looming, Arsenal defender and captain Tony Adams fouled Luton substitute Mark Stein. Brian Stein then scored his second goal of the match from the ensuing free kick, and Luton were League Cup champions. The trophy itself was broken during the post-match celebrations.

The Hatters returned to the League Cup Final in 1989, but lost to Nottingham Forest. In 1992, they were relegated from the top flight. Luton's fortunes continued to sour, leading to subsequent relegations and administration. After spending the last five seasons out of the Football League, Luton recently earned promotion and will return for the 2014-15 season.

13 April 1936 - Bristol Rovers Feel The Pain

On 13 April 1936, Luton Town crushed Bristol Rovers 12-0 in a Division Three (South) match. 10 of the goals were scored by one player, Joe Payne, whose tally remains the record number of goals scored by one individual in a League match.

Payne (pictured, on the left in the white shirt) joined the Hatters the previous season at the age of 20. By the time of the match against Rovers, he was primarily a reserve team player, but was forced into starting at center forward on 13 April due to injuries among his teammates. His 10 goals, however, secured his place in the first team and he led Luton Town to promotion the next season, scoring 55 goals.

In addition to Payne's record haul, the match remains Luton Town's greatest victory and Bristol Rovers' worst loss.

9 October 1961 - Planes, Trains, And Automobiles

On 9 October 1961, Gillingham made a tremendous effort to reach Barrow for a league match and, for their troubles, left with a 7-0 loss.

The day started badly enough for Gillingham when their train to Barrow missed its connection in London. In an attempt to make it to the match on time, they chartered a plane to Blackpool, then took a set of cabs to Barrow's ground. When they finally arrived, it was well past the scheduled starting time, but the match went ahead.

Due to the late start, and because Barrow did not have floodlights, darkness soon became an issue, forcing the referee to halt the match in the 76th minute. By that time, Gillingham were already down 7-0. Given the scoreline and the fact that the delay had been caused by Gillingham, the Football League allowed the result to stand. It was just one goal short of their record defeat, an 8-0 loss to Luton in 1929.

5 April 2009 - They Didn't Go Down Without A Fight (Or A Trophy)

On 5 April 2009, Luton Town won the Football League Trophy in extra time over Scunthorpe, capping a run of last-gasp heroics for the Hatters in the tournament. The run of good fortune did not extend elsewhere, however, as Luton Town finished the season at the bottom of the English fourth tier and were relegated out of the Football League entirely.

The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, is an annual tournament open only to teams in the third and fourth divisions of the England's Football League. That season, Luton entered the competition in the Second Round, where they advanced on penalties over Brentford, 2-2 (4-3). After close 1-0 wins over Walsall and Colchester, Luton again advanced on penalties, this time over Brighton & Hove Albion in the semifinals 1-1 (4-3).

That set up the meeting with Scunthorpe, who reached the Final with victories over Notts County (2-1), Grimsby Town (2-1), Rochdale (1-0), Tranmere Rovers (2-1), and Rotherham United (3-0, agg.)

Playing before a crowd of 55,378 at Wembley, Scunthorpe took an early lead with a 14th-minute goal from striker Gary Hooper, but Luton pushed ahead with goals from their forward pairing of Chris Martin (32') and Tom Craddock (70'). Scunthorpe midfielder then ensured extra time with a strike in the 88th minute, but it was Luton who took advantage as substitute winger Claude Gnapka provided the 95th-minute match-winner.

That's where the magic ended for Luton, who went on to endure their third consecutive relegation thanks to a 30-point deduction at the beginning of the season for financial reasons. They dropped out of the Football League and into the Football Conference, so that they were unable to defend their title the next season.

30 January 1937 - A Good Day To Stay At Home

On 30 January 1937, the home sides either won or drew all 35 FA Cup and Football League matches.

Of the 16 FA Cup matches that day, only one involved two top-ten First Division clubs, as 6th place Derby County rolled to a comfortable 3-0 win over 3rd place Brentford in the FA Cup. Other First Division match-ups in the Cup included 15th place Preston North End hammering 14th place Stoke City 5-1, 10th place Everton beating 19th place Sheffield Wednesday 3-0, and 1st place Arsenal crushing 22nd place Manchester United, 5-0. Both Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester United would end the season in the two relegation spots.

Arsenal's margin of victory was the largest in the Cup that day, but was both matched and exceeded in Division Two, where Blackburn beat Newcastle 6-1 and, in the day's most lopsided result, Blackpool rode over Bradford Park Avenue, 6-0.

Meanwhile, Luton Town provided the Cup's shock of the day, as the Third Division South side held reigning League champions Sunderland to a 2-2 draw. Two other Third Division South teams provided upsets, as Millwall defeated First Division Chelsea 3-0 and Exeter City beat Second Division Leicester City 3-1. Exeter's victory looked even more impressive at the end of the season, as Leicester won the Second Division, while Exeter finished 21st in the Third Division South.

Four Cup matches went to replays, including York City's scoreless draw at Swansea. It was part of a pattern for York, who had earned home replays in the two previous rounds. But the pattern broke with Swansea, who won at York, 1-3. In fact, the visiting teams won three of the four replays for that round, with the only exception being Sunderland's 3-1 victory over Luton. Sunderland (pictured) proceeded to win the FA Cup that year, beating Preston North End in the Final.

11 January 2007 - Birmingham Plucks The Vine

On 11 January 2007, Birmingham City signed striker Rowan Vine from Luton Town. It turned out to be a bad decision for both of them.

At the time Vine made the switch, Birmingham were on the top of the Championship table, but had suffered injuries to their strike force of Cameron Jerome, Nicklas Bendtner, and Mikael Forsell, prompting manager Steve Bruce to look to the transfer window. Vine, then 24 years old, had gotten Bruce's attention by scoring three goals against Birmingham that season, helping Luton taking four points from the teams' two meetings. And he had a scorer's pedigree with 31 league goals for the Hatters from 2004 to 2007. He also sat near the top of the club's assist charts for those seasons.

Luton, who had paid close to £250,000 for Vine, made a generous profit on the move, receiving £3 million from Birmingham, including a £500,000 bonus when Birmingham were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season. Vine, however, did not share the club's good fortune.

He scored only 1 goal in 17 league appearances for Birmingham and went on loan to QPR in October 2007. The loan became permanent in 2008, but after contrubuting only 9 goals in 69 league appearances for the Londoners, he went on further loans to Hull City and Brentford in 2010. His loan spell at Brentford ended in January 2011, so Vine is back at QPR, though it remains to be seen for how long.

7 January 2006 - Alonso's Long-Distance Delivery

On 7 January 2006, Liverpool overcame a two-goal second half deficit against Luton Town in the FA Cup Third Round, capping the win with a 65-yard goal from midfielder Xabi Alonso (pictured).

The reigning Champions League winners, Liverpool were sitting third in the Premier League table, having just ended a 10-match winning streak with a draw against Bolton. So it was no surprise when they opened the scoring with a 16th-minute Steven Gerrard to take the lead against Luton, then a mid-table Championship side freshly promoted from League One.

But the tide turned midway through the first half, as the Luton midfield took control of the match. They were rewarded with a 31st-minute equalizer from forward Steve Howard, then took the lead 12 minutes later with a goal from midfielder Steve Robinson. In the second half, the hosts were awarded a penalty when Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson brought striker Rowan Vine down in the box. Luton captain Kevin Nicholls converted the 53rd-minute spot kick to extend the lead to 3-1.

But the hosts began to wear down, conceding three goals in the space of 12 minutes, including a brace from substitute Florent Sinama-Pongolle (62', 74') and one from Alonso (69'). Alsono secured the win with a flourish in stoppage time, collecting the rebound from a Luton corner, rounding the keeper who had come up for the kick, then driving a left-footed shot from inside his own half that curled into the center of the unguarded Luton net.

Liverpool used the victory as a springboard, going on to win the Cup that year.

6 December 1930 - Thames Set A Low-Water Mark

On 6 December 1930, Thames AFC set a Football League record when only 469 people showed up for their Third Division South match against visiting Luton Town.

Thames had been founded only two years earlier by a group of businessmen who had built a new ground--West Ham Stadium (pictured)--and needed a team to fill it. The stadium had a capacity of 120,000, but Thames competed for supporters with several nearby clubs who were older and thus more established, including West Ham United, Millwall, Charlton, and Orient.

Despite poor support, Thames fared well, finishing in third place in the Southern League Eastern Division in 1930 to earn election to the Third Division South. There, however, they struggled, winning only three matches and drawing two out of their first 16 to sit dead last in the table when Luton came to town.

Although only 469 people attended, they witnessed a rare sight as Thames eked out a 1-0 victory. Luton's share of the tivcket sales was a meager 1s, 7d. It was paid by postal order, which Luton framed and displayed in their boardroom.

Thames narrowly avoided relegation that year, but succumbed the following year and promptly dissolved. West Ham Stadium continued in use for racing and occasional baseball until it closed in 1972.

13 April 1936 - Bristol Rovers Feel The Payne

On 13 April 1936, Luton Town crushed Bristol Rovers 12-0 in a Division Three (South) match. 10 of the goals were scored by one player, Joe Payne, whose tally remains the record number of goals scored by one individual in a League match.

Payne (pictured, on the left in the white shirt) joined the Hatters the previous season at the age of 20. By the time of the match against Rovers, he was primarily a reserve team player, but was forced into starting at center forward on 13 April due to injuries among his teammates. His 10 goals, however, secured his place in the first team and he led Luton Town to promotion the next season, scoring 55 goals.

In addition to Payne's record haul, the match remains Luton Town's greatest victory and Bristol Rovers' worst loss.

24 April 1988 - The Hatters Go Mad

On 24 April 1988, Luton Town F.C. staged a dramatic upset victory over heavily-favored Arsenal in the 1988 League Cup Final, claiming the club's first major trophy.

Playing at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 95,732, the Hatters shocked the defending champions by taking an early lead with a goal from forward Brian Stein in the 13th minute. In the second half, however, Arsenal rallied. Gunners striker Alan Smith brought them level in the 71st minute, then winger Martin Hayes scored three minutes later to give Arsenal a 2-1 lead.

The match appeared to be a certain victory for Arsenal when, in the 85th minute, the Gunners were awarded a penalty. Luton keeper Andy Dibble saved Nigel Winterburn's spot kick, however, and the Hatters regained their early momentum. In the 82nd minute, after a faulty clearance from Arsenal defender Gus Caesar near the edge of his penalty area, Stein crossed the ball in for Luton midfielder Danny Wilson, who headed home the equalizer.

With seconds left in regulation, and extra time looming, Arsenal defender and captain Tony Adams fouled Luton substitute Mark Stein. Brian Stein then scored his second goal of the match from the ensuing free kick, and Luton were League Cup champions. The trophy itself was broken during the post-match celebrations.

The Hatters returned to the League Cup Final in 1989, but lost to Nottingham Forest. In 1992, they were relegated from the top flight. Luton's fortunes continued to sour, leading to subsequent relegations and administration. On 13 April 2009, by then in League Two, Luton drew with Chesterfield, confirming that they would finish the season in the relegation zone and drop out of the Football League for the 2009-10 season.