Residents give a rather divided reaction on what it’s like to live within Luton’s Kenilworth Road, some love it and others rather hate it.
This club is situated right next door to its neighbours, and if you haven’t it already (where have you been?!) it has become a meme on social media.
The unusual Luton Town away end is placed between rows of Victorian terraced houses.
Every game, fans make fun of the strange turnstiles, especially as the club are a win away from sealing a place in the Premier League, and this really would look out of place in the top flight these days, but that isn’t a criticism, while the ground may be ‘falling apart’ according to some, it would be class to see it, a traditional classic stomping ground play host to a game in them Prem.
How do locals feel about a possible promotion to Premier League? What is their experience of living next to the stadium?
Abdul Ali also told The Sun: “I’ve lived here my whole life. Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
“We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
“It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
“We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
“It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.
“I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house.
“It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
Mum-of-four Anu said: “They’ve only ever asked for the ball back once. We’ve kept the others.
“We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice.
“We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
“My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
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Anu’s neighbour LeeLee added: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
“It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
Anu said further: “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house.
“They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
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Luton is one game away from Premier League promotion, potentially going from the 5th tier of English soccer to the 1st in just 9 seasons.
But their 120-year-old stadium only seats 10,356 fans & would be the smallest in PL history.
Fans have to walk through houses to get in 🤣 pic.twitter.com/lQ9fiiYqgM
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) May 17, 2023
Joumna, 49, said: “I remember as a child we didn’t have as many problems.
“Now, whichever team loses, the fans are shouting and swearing. It’s a shame.”
She adds: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
“It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
Amanpreet, 34, said: “Parking is such a problem around here.
“The stadium is a problem now because it attracts so many people. We have to move our car on match days but finding a space can be hard.”
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@jordanevans1606 Everyone should experience Kenilworth Road at least once in their life 😅 #luton #lutontown #kenilworthroad #football #footballstadium ♬ original sound – Jordan Evans
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On one corner of Luton’s Oak Road entrance is the community’s local mosque, Medina Masjid,.
Regular worshipper Maqsood Anwar, a supporter of Luton for over 40 years, said the Muslim community in Bury Park has a strong connection to the Hatters.
“They let us use their car park and we have a mutual understanding where we use each other’s facilities as much as we can,” he says.
“A few years ago when they got promotion we dished out chocolates to make sure as a community we support our football team.
“I remember in the 80s when we used to be in the First Division and we would love to be in the Premier League as well.”
College students Umor Uddin and Atif Khan, who live a couple of roads away from the ground, think the club needs a new home.
“When I first saw the stadium I thought ‘what is this?’ I was shocked because this does not look like a good ground,” Umor said.
Atif added the ground “already packed as it is during a Championship game”.
“They definitely need to upgrade their stadium because there’s many people that would actually want to watch the Luton game if they get into the Premier League.”
Luton born Rob Clark, who studies Sports Journalism at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “All the students talk about it all the time. We all talk about how Luton are just growing and growing and they’re improving.
“It means a lot to us as well. We all have that soft spot and I think the neutrals will also support them. They’re everyone’s favourite second team.”
Geoff Doyle of BBC Three Counties Radio talks about the ground and plans to move…
“The Kenny, as it’s known, is a wonderful old school stadium and will be missed by nearly all Hatters fans.
“Its charm, character and atmosphere is pretty unique and Luton fans will continue to enjoy it before transferring to a new stadium which everyone understands will move the club forward.
“Supporters would hope the new one at Power Court could replicate Kenilworth Road for its intimidating ‘in your face’ intensity.
“If the Hatters are promoted to the Premier League, improvements will need to be made. Much has been made of the £10m cost mainly on improving Kenilworth Road for media needs; broadcasting rights in the top flight bring in revenue of over £100m so that won’t be an issue.
“Indeed, promotion would speed up the move and essentially pay for the new stadium.”
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