Luton Town's success prompts interest in football at local school

Almost a year since Luton Town FC were promoted to the Premier League, interest in a local school's new football academy has quadrupled.

Queen Elizabeth School launched its education and football development programme just as the Hatters sealed promotion to the top flight.

Fourteen pupils applied last year, compared with 59 for 2024-25.

Head teacher Rhoda McPherson said it felt like the school was "part of the club".

Luton are now scrapping for their lives to stay in the Premier League, but have already treated fans to nail-biting games against Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City. They thrashed Brighton 4-0 at Kenilworth Road in January.

"There's always a sense of pride around Luton - there's a big community feel," said Ms McPherson.

"However, Luton becoming part of the Premier League - the children are so proud and they absolutely love being part of Luton Town FC. To them it's part of their culture."

She added: "As far as they're concerned, they're representing the club.

"It's a big socio-economically deprived area and for them it's a real aspiration. It lifts their spirits and for them, they're playing for their community - and that's a huge deal."

The 59 applications for the football academy have come from prospective and existing students. The school also said applications for its sixth form - which was opened in 2023 - have tripled year-on-year.

George Marshall is one of two Luton Town FC Community Trust coaches based at the school during term time.

He said of the students: "I don't think they could be any more on board than they are now.

"Being a brand new programme in its first year we thought the numbers would be quite small, but we've just grown and grown.

"If they enjoy it, we enjoy it - it's like we are an extension of the football club."

One of those benefitting from the programme is student Roni, 17.

"We sometimes train with the first teams so it really is very, very inspiring," he said.

"As soon as [Luton] got moved up to the Premier League it's inspired me to feel like I can make it, because I'm almost part of the team already."

Fellow sixth-formers Keira and Maryam, both 16, agree the promotion has had a tangible effect on the town.

"Everyone is united behind the fact they've been promoted - I don't think that's going to change," Keira said.

Maryam added: "Coming into the Premiership has definitely put Luton on the map.

"People often see the bad things in Luton, but when you live here for so long you can also see the good things - and that is its community and its diversity as well.

"We each have our own cultures that come together in one area, and Luton coming into the Premier League - I think it's brought out the good things of Luton and it's shown it to the rest of the world."

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