Luton Town

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In 1890 Luton became the first southern club to adopt professionalism and in 1894, they became founder members of the Southern League.

Three years later they were elected to the Football League Second Division, but after finishing 17th, they resigned and rejoined the Southern League.

In 1920 Luton rejoined the Football League when the Southern League First Division was incorporated as Division Three. They remained a mid-table side until the mid-thirties when, after finishing as runners-up in 1936, they were Division Three (South) champions in 1937.

After the war they consolidated in Division Two and in 1955 they finished as runners-up to gain promotion to Division One.

They finished eighth in 1958, and in 1959 reached the FA Cup final where they lost to a Nottingham Forest.

Thereafter the club went into decline and by 1965 they were in the Fourth Division.

In 1968, under manager Allan Brown, the team won the Fourth Division title and began the long climb back to the top.

Brown was controversially sacked in 1968 after applying for another management job and was replaced by Alec Stock who guided the club back to Division Two in 1970.

A financial crisis in 1970 saw the club having to sell its best players and at the end of the season Stock resigned, but despite these misfortunes, Luton won promotion to Division One in 1974.

The following season, the Hatters were relegated but in 1978 David Pleat was appointed manager and in 1982 won the Second Division title and promotion back to the First Division.

After a dramatic last minute winner at Manchester City Luton survived their first season and over the next few years, consolidated their position in the top flight.

In 1985, Luton were among the first clubs to install an artificial playing surface, and took the equally controversial decision to ban away supporters from Kenilworth Road.

Pleat left to manage Spurs in 1986 and under his replacement, John Moore, Luton finished seventh in 1987, their highest ever position.

In April 1988, Luton won the League Cup, coming from 2-1 down to beat Arsenal 3-2. They were back at Wembley 12 months later this time losing to Nottingham Forest.

In 1992 Luton were relegated to Division Two, and by 2001 they had dropped all the way to Division Three (old Fourth Division).

Promotions in 2002 and 2005 took them back to the Championship but in 2007 they were relegated again.

In November 2007, Luton entered administration for a second time, and the ten point deduction ensured that they finished bottom and were relegated to League Two.