Trouble at the Top - BBC Documentary about Luton Town

How Luton Town was saved from the hands of John Gurney and his mystery consortium.

[@deletebilderberg]

Where would we be without those who so cleverly wrestled the club from that scumbag. Many names to mention but Gary Sweet take a bow. It’s almost a miracle what we have achieved since then. That game against Port Vale when we were simply grateful to have a team to support. Never forgotten, but forever appreciative of those who allowed us to dream again.

[@Inthemixmedia]

Brilliant. I remember watching this open mouthed. Especially the ground redevelopment bit !!

[@johnnysmith5770]

Didn’t think I’d be hearing Tom Baker narrating a luton town documentary but here we are

[@007ryanwilliams]

20 years later and look at where you are now Luton. Credit to you and all that you've achieved, may something like this never happen to you or any club again.

[@Maixo]

A masterclass in how the fans can stop bloated suits from destroying a club. Our steady progress over the last few years has been heartwarming. Gary Sweet you are a legend!! 👏👏👏

[@TheOriginalProfG]

From the late 70s untill the mid 80s I had a season ticket at LTFC. I was there when we won promotion to the old First Division. I was there when we beat Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs. i was at Wembley when we lifted the cup with a last gasp winner against Arsenal and that wonderful penalty save by Andy Dibble. i was the member of the same snooker club frequented by LTFC players and personally got to know Ricky Hill, Brian Stein, Foster, and the rest. I was there in Kuwait when LTFC played the Kuwait National team. I had a LTFC kit for my brother who wore it to the game. He was he only person in the ground with a LTFC strip. I have not lived in Luton since 1990 but follow them religiously every week and I am rooting for them to go up thi syear. A wonderful chance against some fancied teams in Sunderland and potentially Middlesboro or Coventry. Fingers crossed

[@harryurz]

Always enjoyed my trips to Luton with Kidderminster back in the Conference days, glad to see the Hatters doing well again.

[@bertiebarrett5403]

And look where we are now. Never forgive, never forget. We are Luton Town.

[@swansealoyal3706]

Coming from a Swansea fan, I know how this feels, we was bought for a quid by our now chairman. Will be good to see you back in the Football League. Well done! RESPECT FROM SWANSEA.

[@young321bookie]

@Swansea Loyal - And look at Swansea AFC now....

[@cardjunkie]

@ Swansea loyal WE R BACK WHERE WE BELONG we made it

[@teddy1066]

Grew up on Dallow Road. First memory as a nipper was playing in the back garden on a Saturday and hearing 10,000 erupt at The Kenny. I’ll never forget that as long as I live. Up the Hatters! 🎩

[@duncanemmott920]

Absolutely brilliant! Sherrie the chairwoman is one of those quietly amazing women who hold businesses like that together, but the suits just see numbers to be streamlined. What a brilliant doc tho - amazing story and it didn't end there. Has there been a follow up documentary made?

[@cuibono6872]

Loved the comment at the end, "I got a feeling this will be our season" every football fans eternal statement at the beginning of a new campaign, Come on you Hatters !! (You will never take the Oak road)

[@LoosSerine]

Absolutely insane this club has gone from national League to prem league in 9 years. Well done, true Hollywood story here, especially via a penalty shootout.

[@KargoolElvalie]

Cant write a better story for sure

[@zwelintuli2201]

Best mockumentary ever.

[@TheHempman09]

Gary Sweet. Saved us twice. He is Luton Town. COYH

[@The_Hoxton_Hipster]

I’m a Lutonian by birth and while I support a London team my family are Hatters, and I’m always glad to see them do well. One group of people I did not see offering support to the lowly paid staff…the players. I apologise if they did weigh in but it seems to me that at whatever club gets into trouble, the support staff always suffer, and the players are nowhere to be seen putting pressure on the owners to get the staff paid. As I say, if I’m being unfair and it did happen I’d gladly apologise.

[@JordanLTFC]

Manager idol!! Im so glad muppets like this will never step foot in our club again, nice to see us so well run now and on the way up. New stadium looking more likely than ever to!

[@Sephyrulz]

4 yearslater, you're right.

[@pudboy123456]

"Swing it for me"

[@geedeecunningham3515]

Legal papers stated that the "consortium" was just a wealthy Chinese restaurant owning family who had possibly been told they were being sold a cash cow. This "bridging brokering" is all but illegal now. That Craig White fella, up in Scotland, tried the same with Glasgow Rangers.

[@BenDPB]

As a Luton fan this is so hard to watch! It's a David Brent special

[@pudboy123456]

brent wouldn't threaten to destroy the club if he lost it - on camera

[@vincentoboy1621]

@@pudboy123456 pp

[@vincentoboy1621]

Źúźuuj

[@vincentoboy1621]

@@pudboy123456 ⁹j

[@aishikpanja3931]

Good luck for the premier league

[@fireinapetshop]

Thanks for putting this on youtube. COYH

[@Happyman1773]

'How could anyone invest in a company with a debenture then' 'You did'

[@GregCathalina]

To me as a neutral viewer, this almost comes across as a caricatural black comedy show on football (with the comically corrupt and arrogant chairman as its main character), making it all the more tragic and bizarre that this an actual documentary with events shown as they are happening. Thank goodness Luton got out of this catastrophic mess.

[@SightForPsoriasis]

Same here. I ended up taking nearly 2 hours to watch this as there were points when I had to pause and watch something else because it was so cringeworthy in the extreme.

[@neilirons8866]

GregCathalina God bless ya thankyou for what said

[@ianetherington3132]

Agree. Ricky Gervais could dream of writing something like this.

[@CARLIN4737]

its tragic as burys demise

[@cuthbertspackleader]

GURNEY- "If I have to walk away, I'll make sure there's nothing to walk away from." .....Two years later, a Gurney-free Luton won the League One championship and it was Gurney who went down the pan.

[@blumphy]

An article today in The Guardian brought me here and all I can say is, John Gurney, I hope by now his head has fallen off!

[@misskhan6093]

That's a little off lol...but he wasn't able to do right by the club

[@reaper060670]

What happened to the land that Luton Owned?? That's why this club was bought and no other reason.. IMHO

[@KamaalJones]

@@reaper060670We sold that land in 2022 to fund the new stadium and development in the town centre

[@amanchantamang6802]

PROMOTED TO PREMIER LEAGUE. REMEMBER THE DATE 27 TH MAY 2023 .

[@randomsh1t1471]

and then relegated the year after

[@martinbennett6470]

Shit ground no fans😅

[@tomdevlin9274]

What a cracking story. Fans make football. Asset strippers don't. Heart-warming.

[@doodiesgirl]

Ive been looking for this for ages :)

[@djstyles1649]

I loved it when someone booted Gurney's flash motor in and the little fella was a tough nut to tackle as it took about 4 big coppers to arrest him. Think he went to prison for it.

[@highflyingdwarf]

Well done Luton. Back in the top flight.

[@lucaschapman2188]

Not any more lol

[@Happyman1773]

Didn't expect to hear DJ Shadow

[@68hatter]

Thanks for sharing have not seen this before

[@kieranb71]

If any bastard tried to kill my football club the way gurney tried to kill Luton, I'd happily do time.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Brilliant move by the Supporters Trust to buy shares in Hatters Holdings and then call in their loan in order to force Gurney out. Unfortunately, the Bill Tomlins period was still to come. Despite our promotion season of 2004-05, I would still rate BT on a par with Gurney!

[@niallgreathead3268]

Love the Game and people like John Gurney have no place in it. Wish someone would put some much needed funds into my beloved Gillingham

[@moodychops1988]

I haven't seen this for years -- I remember (but want to forget) that horrible feeling that we were potentially going to get destroyed by "our owners". Look at us now - still with a "slightly" older Gary Sweet & 2020 steering us in the right direction. Amazing turnaround especially after the -30 points in 2009 and 5 years in non-league, to now be sitting mid-table in the Championship. It's always been one hell of a ride supporting the "least boring" club in the World. COYH.

[@gazzaamsterdamaged1110]

as a leeds fan i cant help but sympathise

[@conorfensome4698]

Look at us now!! We are Luton Town!

[@sparticuzj19]

Conor Fensome Luton on the way up from the brink of death.

[@cardjunkie]

Look at us NOW!! Championship team coyh!

[@pudboy123456]

I'm an LFC fan but Luton are my second team and have been ever since the days of the Stein brothers when they destroyed Arsenal in 87

[@aishikpanja3931]

@@cardjunkie premiership

[@simonpearn479]

Exeter City F.C. nearly went out of business in 2003 also! Very sad times indeed!!!

[@KebabMusicLtd]

To outsource the shop and ticket office would surely have increased the overheads of the club. It would have meant that money going through the turnstiles would have gone straight into Gurney’s pocket. Ironically, the boycott of season tickets saved us. But this underhand sale of Football Clubs is something that the FA and Football League need to outlaw. A similar thing happened at Notts County.

[@oisinmcnevin]

Who’s here after they won promotion to the prem

[@Baggieboy-zb8lw]

Doctor Who Tom Baker doing the voice over great to see Luton Town coming back up the league.

[@michaelelliott7887]

As a Torquay fan we are going through a power struggle with Clarke Osbourne and his mates. They want the land the ground is built on for housing and don’t give a shit about the club. Going from a football league club to the National South is a disgrace.

[@edprice3690]

The only people that want involvement with lower/non-league clubs are purely interested in their assets-land etc. Also massaging their own egos. It's sick

[@JamesMurray1991]

Watching this as there now in the Premier League

[@LUTONVIDS]

Great work Trondy..........

[@markmccreesh8420]

I can't believe they were so calm when the consortium rep. tried to get out of paying the wages on time, stating the owners couldn't understand why they couldn't wait until the end of the month. If they tried that shit in China the workers would have locked her in the office and not let her out until the wages were paid.

[@roonoronno656]

How is Mike Newell not picked up to manage these days, did well at Luton, until all the big players were sold... strange. Mike got them to tenth in the championship during all this business. Big achievement.

[@dabro2080]

Because he was sexist to a female linesman, I think that damaged his reputation and perhaps his heart wasn't in it so much because he hated agents ruining the game with greed. Google Marvin Johnson my best eleven he did a podcast with Mike Newell in the last year. Very good podcasts with lots of ex football players.

[@Zwia.]

He causes trouble everywhere he goes, always fighting with someone. he's an alcoholic too, goes drinking with the influential players who run the changing room

[@roonoronno656]

@@Zwia. never heard that, players liked playing for him, he gave them some slack I heard but in return they loved playing for him and gave everything.

[@PottsyUK]

So glad my club was finally run by good people, true fans 2020. WEMBLEY CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY OFF FINAL ON SATURDAY! Prem here we come? COYH 🧡🎩🧡

[@zeinmets3550]

Welcome to the prem bud. It'll be challenging, hope you lot don't go down early like Leeds did.

[@secondcitydoood]

Felt so bad for the lady

[@walboyfredo6025]

I know one time Luton Town was the most HATED club in the UK since they banned aways fans, but the Luton Town fans don't deserved this!

[@jimcreed8381]

Power Court Approved now!

[@KargoolElvalie]

Quite interesting, the field he takes the interviewer through is the field is where the club wants to build Newland Park

[@wotsitalabowt]

"You'll have to sway it then ..." Nods and turns away, remembers he's on camera, comes back "No won't have to ..."

[@thecornedbeefcouncil9792]

Even says “…consider it” before remembering not to say “done” so as not to make the whole thing look as crooked as it so obviously was 😂

[@TheKizzywhizzy]

Great documentary

[@snowball9163]

And now a Premier League Club 🎉🎉

[@SMC01ful]

Fucking incredible how Luton have gotten outta the shite. Jesus, things were fucking dire. I hate seeing smaller football clubs get fucked over.

[@welcome2mytruth]

Thank god the club is now in a much better place. I hope Gurney rots in hell for the damage he did. Poor Cherry, I really feel for her as she has put her heart and soul in to the club.

[@CARLIN4737]

Should have done one about Brighton back in the day. Bhafc.

[@igorjibble9736]

Is that really how they picked the manager or is this a joke?

[@robertmclean3612]

Fair play to Luton what a comeback

[@argylelei]

Manager Idol? no wonder the club went tits up lol, love the oak stand btw, brill the way you enter by a normal house, class that

[@Jackflip1996]

Amazing where Luton are now

[@PeaveyPV20]

Felt it for luton so many idiots running clubs now even in non league. Am glad they got promoted but that antique stadium has had its day and they deserve a championship sized ground

[@misteryreviewer1426]

And the new one has just got through planning

[@Aroomfulloftoys]

Always sad to see this mess in Football.... as a neutral it’s good now to see Luton on the cusp of the second tier after spending time in the Non League.... we have seen it with Portsmouth and currently Coventry, how do these Clowns get to buy Clubs!

[@lodersracing]

I wonder where those late votes came from lmao

[@thegreathadoken6808]

David Brent the football chairman

[@swiftcee266]

STAND. The ole Luton moto. RESPECT.

[@lcw8876]

I am not sure Trust in Luton bought the shares. I did not receive any money for mine. I gave them my shares in order to get rid of Gurney.

[@shaunlever1104]

Very clever use of Labi Sifre in the intro

[@bBlandarN]

Whats the song ID from 2:16

[@CARLIN4737]

Popular manager Joe kinnear!😉

[@Bob-moggit]

BRING GURNEY BACK 👍

[@zeinmets3550]

And to think that they're in the Prem now.

[@antr7493]

Reminds me when Joe Spano tried to buy the New York Islanders. IT was a big three card monty scheme

[@ExSquaddieTales]

Nice to see Luton now in the Premier League

[@stepanovicci]

This all sounds so very familiar, 40 years of bad management brought us to were we are now---> 10 years in second division with 22 million € of debts and a stadium that is falling appart. We have managed to avert bankrupcy the last 3 years and now a part our fans, the Antwerp Community Trust, ACT as 1, are trying to take over the club, wich won't be for now just yet....Our old president, Eddy Wauters, the man who left us behind (he was kicked out by the new management) and created all these debts in his 40 year reign, also started a procedure to get his 5 million € he alledgedly invested in the club, better said filled the gaps he's responsable for, with his own money to keep the club all this time alive. Anyway, happy to see you Luton guys in a few weeks. Greetings with respect from a Royal Antwerp fan!

[@MrPaulc222]

You have the resources and fanbase to start going up the league now. It wouldn't surprise me to see you in the Championship within 5 years. You should have gone up the year that we topped the Conference because you were the better team in the playoff final against AFC Wimbledon. Not so easy getting out of the Conference as there's only one guaranteed spot.

[@No-zf5bt]

MrPaulc222 in 2027/18 Luton are going up #COYH

[@aldlsllalsapdpapal8430]

Right about the championship

[@milageen1340]

You were right we are in the championship

[@KamaalJones]

Cherry is life and soul of Luton

[@kdlofty]

I wonder where she is and what she's up to now?

[@forgive7449]

14:54 - hillarious !

[@secretboxes2010]

The message has to be....... keep the inspection covers firmly fixed on your sewers. Otherwise a Gurney might crawl out and take over your football club. Or join the Board of a major bank. Or become an MP. Or set up a Payday loan company. Or...(etc, etc). COYH

[@Rossboy2112]

Well done Luton from an Arsenal fan Wrexham are doing it aswell now they will reach the premier league soon also Swansea city went through the same situation when the supporters bought the club from Tony petty a shark from Australia we nearly went out of the football league in 2003 winning 4.2 on the last game of the season against hull then they went up to the premier league in 2012 it’s a great story jack to a king is the Swansea documentary

[@LTFCSmith]

Wrexham ain’t doing it and won’t do it like us mate…we didn’t have a couple of multi millionaires take us over back then 👍

[@Rossboy2112]

@@LTFCSmith I get what your saying m8 and Luton done a phenomenal job I’m not a Wrexham fan but it’s only a matter of time before they make the big time I’m from Swansea they did it I think we will see more smaller clubs like Wrexham getting taking over by American 🇺🇸 owners even robbie savage is having a go at chesterfield lol i hope i you have a good season next year m8 anyway i think Luton need a new stadium though more fans and revenue 👍🏻

[@pianostool44]

and now in the championship play offs!

[@falihsaukhan5365]

Unfortunately lost in the semi, it's would be great if them promoted to pl next season

[@CARLIN4737]

Keep the Faith. Albion.

[@horwichlad350]

Expect to see you back in the league next season, its where you belong IMO.

[@KargoolElvalie]

Thanks! We hope to be back with a vengeance!

[@TheSRGILL01]

How could John Gurney and the consortium not know about the debenture prior to buying the club, that has got to be a rookie mistake for not spotting that beforehand, questions their ability as businesspeople.

[@sas22thebest48]

The financial director is Charlie kray double!!🤣🤣

[@Theraiman616]

This is a mockumentary right ?

[@Mr-zx8fu]

In business any old clown can sometimes slide through. Here he is.

[@shanemoran518]

Now in the Premier League for season 2023/24.

[@subz7352]

What was the whole point of the voting if you still choose the coach as management?

[@thegreathadoken6808]

50p per call

[@paulpnepreston2926]

So glad Preston are the only club that is debt free and that's thanks to a owner who wants successs but won't go out a pay millions

[@thegreathadoken6808]

Barnsley are also debt free. Might not have quite been when you said this, although I think they were.

[@ebneigh5191]

Fans of Rangers FC in Scotland should have seen this. No good will ever come of local councils, football clubs etc going cap in hand to businessmen because they are only in it for número uno.

[@seand1011]

They're Premier League bound now.

[@philipmahon4306]

London Luton wtf it is Luton town

[@johnnyonenote376]

I think if the lying Mr Gurney had carried on there, he may have ended up lying on a gurney in the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. Actually, he should be thankful to the superb Gary Sweet and his excellent colleagues at the Luton Town Supporters' Trust who, collectively, knew a little more than he did about business and community spirit...

[@mattybarnes96]

Tranmere fan here an its sad to see people like that gurney to buy clubs when they have no interest in the club whatsoever an then ruin it ! And its not a company. its a club!!!

[@drumtracksdirect]

Series producer Kate Middleton? 38:22

[@ticklish1991]

Does anyone know the name of the club secretary in this, Sherry Newburry it sounds like to me? (Might be misunderstanding Baker's (?!?!?!?!) lilt). Anyone have any information on her now? Would love to know how she's feeling.

[@turnpiketumbler8938]

John Gurney what a prick... only cared about his pocket and that piece of land instead of the damage he was doing to the club, the fans and the staff. He did not give one shit about that fellow losing his home either, disgraceful. I really felt for everybody else especially Cherry in that video knowing what we know know, that they were going to be in for a tough couple of years.

[@teddy1066]

Yeah mate. And you should’ve seen what supporters did to his motor! 😂

[@turnpiketumbler8938]

@@teddy1066Wow.. a comment from seven years ago! That's good to hear. It's the least they could have done to that scumbag!!

[@mrkipling2201]

It's such a shame to see these clubs in trouble. They think they are getting an abromovich when in fact they are getting a Robert maxwell. These twats come along to buy clubs and all they see are pound signs dangling in front of them. When they realise that they will have to put some of their own money in though they're out of there faster than roadrunner

[@mrkipling2201]

You’ve got to feel sorry for Luton Town FC. After David Evans and his stupidity they get this lot in charge.

[@KargoolElvalie]

It even got worst! The consortium that took over after this guy was the guys that got us -30 points at the start of the 2007/2008 season!

[@mrkipling2201]

Alex Nyheim if it doesn’t rain it pours !! Least you’re on the up now with promotion to the championship hopefully secured soon.

[@zidannemaulana1537]

4:41 Idols Theme

[@stuartdelaney493]

THATS WHY LEEDS DID NOT GO UP IT WAS TO HELP CLUBS LIKE LUTON TO SIRVIVE.