In the midst of our current turmoil, as we adjust to life as a second tier club, it's worth a moments reflection on the 30 point deduction handed down to Luton Town by the Football League yesterday. Unless reduced on appeal, which looks extremely unlikely based on previous form, this points penalty looks certain to see Luton drop out of the football league in 2009.
The penalty is actually two separate deductions of 10 and 20 points, both for misdemeanours last season under the previous, failing management regime. Luton had already been given a 10 point deduction which lead to their second successive relegation, so this latest punishment is surely the heaviest price any club has yet had to pay.
Luton may be an unattractive, poorly planned an inhospitable town that sits off the M1 just north of London, but it's football club has known much better times and for long spells has had a justifiable reputation for attractive attacking football. They have a history as a second division club and their exit from the league will be unlike nearly all of the other sides who have dropped out over the last 20 years, most of whom, have dallied with the fourth division for too long.
Never the best supported club, financial mismanagement has been Luton's big problem and the latest points penalty is for more of the same. Maybe the League have just had enough of them and are sending a warning to the rest of us that going into Administration and fiddling transfer deals will not be tolerated. However you look at it, 30 points is harsh because it doesn't really give you any chance of avoiding relegation. In order to do it, they would need to go on a virtual 20 match unbeaten run from the start of the season and that's hardly likely bearing the state of their finances.
So, whilst us Addicks take some unpleasant medicine, we should think to the future and swallow hard, in the hope that it does the trick and we can again thrive in this in this division rather than attempt the same feat in League One. Much will depend on the signing of the central midfielder(s) and just how much confidence Pardew is able to give the side before the 9th August. I've said it before but we need a fast start to set us up and give us the confidence to bounce back from the first set-back. A poor start without a strengthened engine room could make it a long season.
In the meantime, I'll be hoping the Hatters get the start they need to give them at least a chance of survival.
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I absolutely echo your comments. 30 points is exceptionally harsh and it does seem like the League is attempting to set a deterrent.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this is more than just a 30-point deduction - it's effectively a removal of League status. That's one hell of a punishment.
As a close follower of the situation at Bournemouth, I can only hope that the Cherries don't find themselves on the end of a similar punishment, and that Luton stay in League Two.
No fans deserve to be relegated 'off the pitch' as it were, and I sincerely hope and doubt Charlton will ever find themselves in a comparable position.
Great post.