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The last 10 years have been a real rollercoaster for Luton Town fans, having witnessed their club play in all three Football League divisions and the Premier League, while also picking up the EFL Trophy along the way.
Last season was their first year back in League One, having last played there in 2018/19. The Hatters finished the season in seventh place, missing out on the play-offs by a single point, with Stevenage taking the last available spot. They did however have something to cheer about, winning the EFL Trophy for the second time in their history, beating Stockport County at Wembley.
Town had a relatively successful pre-season, picking up wins against Hitchin Town, Al Kholood and Walsall, plus a draw against Barnet, before ending their summer with a loss to Dutch top-flight side Go Ahead Eagles. The Hatters come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 0-3 away win against League Two side Gillingham in the League Cup.
Reading claimed the bragging rights over Luton last season, beating the Hatters 3-2 home and away, with former Royal Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan scoring a hat-trick at Kenilworth Road back in March.
The boss
Jack Wilshere: Former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere was appointed Luton manager in October last year, taking over from Matt Bloomfield, who was sacked after only nine months in charge of the Hatters. He actually spent time in the youth system at Luton before joining Arsenal at the age of nine.
Wilshere was a star in the Gunners’ youth setup and made his breakthrough into the senior squad in 2008 at only 16 years old. His first pro deal was signed in 2009 and he went on to spend time on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
He became a regular part of the Arsenal squad upon his return and made 197 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 14 goals. At the back end of his career, Wilshere played for West Ham United, Bournemouth and AGF, before retiring in 2022.
Wilshere’s first coaching role saw him return to Arsenal to manage their under-18 side, where he stayed until joining Norwich City as a first-team coach in October 2024. He had a spell as interim manager of the Canaries before securing his first managerial role at Luton last October.
In his first season with the Hatters, Wilshere guided the side to seventh in the league while also picking up his first silverware as a manager, winning the EFL trophy.
The 34-year-old likes his sides to have a patient passing game, playing the ball out from the back.
Squad
Luton have recruited smartly this summer, bringing in three players on permanent deals and two on loan.
Defender George Johnston was the first player to arrive, joining on a free transfer following the end of his contract with Bolton Wanderers. Midfielder Kasey Palmer returned to the club for an undisclosed fee from Hull City after spending time on loan at the Hatters last season.
Newcastle right back Harrison Ashby was the next to come in, on a season-long loan deal, before highly rated young striker Callum Marshall was bought from West Ham for an undisclosed fee. Winger Emilio Lawrence re-signed on loan on Friday after spending the end of last season on loan at the Hatters.
Expected setup
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Style: Patient, passing out from the back.
Lineup: Shea, Ashby, Johnston, Andersen, Naismith, Walsh, J Clark, Palmer, Kodua, Benagr, Wells
Key player
Jordan Clark: Midfielder Clark joined Luton on a free transfer in 2020, following the end of his contract at Accrington Stanley.
He started his career in the youth setup at Barnsley and made his debut for the Tykes in 2011. He only went on to make an additional six appearances for Barnsley but spent time on loan Chesterfield, Scunthorpe United and Hyde.
Clark signed for Shrewsbury Town in 2014 and spent two seasons at the club before moving to Accrington Stanley. Clark made close to 200 appearances for Stanley over the course of four seasons and joined Luton in 2020. The 32-year-old has made 221 appearances for the Hatters and has 31 goals to his name.
Clark is an experienced pro who is very close to making 500 Football League appearances. He is an attacking midfielder who displays good movement on and off the ball.
One to watch
Callum Marshall: Striker Marshall joined Luton from West Ham at the end of July, signing for an undisclosed fee.
The Northern Irishman started his career in his homeland and came through the youth ranks at Linfield. He made his debut for the club in 2021, before signing for the West Ham academy in 2022.
Marshall made his Hammers debut in 2024 in an FA Cup match against Bristol City before going on to make another three appearances for the club. The 21-year-old has also gained first-team experience in loan spells at West Bromwich Albion, Huddersfield Town and German side VFL Bochum.
Marshall has represented his country at under-18, under-19, under-21 and senior levels, winning 16 caps since making his debut in 2023. The left-footed striker is known for his high energy, and he can also play out wide.