Summary

  • Thousands of football fans packed the streets of Luton to celebrate their team's remarkable promotion to the Premier League

  • The players took part in a victory parade with their trophy, from an open top bus, before joining fans for a town centre celebration

  • Luton Town won promotion at Wembley on Saturday

  • The Hatters won a penalty shoot-out 6-5 against Coventry City

  • Luton were a non-league team just nine years ago, and their victory over Coventry takes them back into the top division for the first time since 1992

  1. Thumbs up from Wembley goalscorer Jordan Clarkpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Jordan Clark had a thumbs up for the Luton Town fans before boarding the bus.

    He scored Luton's goal in the first half of Saturday's Wembley final.

    Jordan Clark thumbs upImage source, PA Media
  2. The open-top bus is on the movepublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    As the players finally leave Kenilworth Road on the open-top bus, here are some of the scenes from the area around Luton Town's home ground, where fans have been gathering.

    Luton Town fansImage source, Getty Images
    Luton Town fansImage source, Getty Images
    Luton Town fansImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'Brilliant atmosphere'published at 12:43 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Alex Pope
    BBC News

    There are people everywhere - people around the square, people lining the streets, people waiting to try and grab a sight of the team.

    The town is full and it's just a brilliant atmosphere.

    "Diversity is on another level here today, Every age, every colour," one watching fan tells BBC Three Counties Radio.

    Crowds in St George's Square, LutonImage source, Alex Pope/BBC
  4. The open-top bus is about to departpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    The players are now boarding the open-top bus.

    We're expecting it to take about 15 minutes for it to arrive in St George's Square, Luton.

    BBC Three Counties Reporter Luke Ashmead was the first on board.

    The bus to be used in the paradeImage source, Luke Ashmead/BBC
  5. The players are arriving... but the bus is yet to leavepublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    BBC Three Counties Radio reporter Luke Ashmead will join the players on the bus parade.

    But at the moment, we're still waiting for it to begin. We'll bring you an udpate as soon as the bus leaves Kenilworth Road.

    The good news is that players have started arriving, stopping to sign autographs for some fans.

    The bus to be used in the parade at Kenilworth RoadImage source, Luke Ashmead/BBC
  6. Premier League 'beyond our wildest dreams'published at 12:32 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Paul Grunill
    BBC Sport

    Luton fansImage source, BBC News

    Luton fan Paul Edler has been following The Hatters since the early 1960s and was at Wembley with his wife Diane, children Kimberley and Stephen and grandson Benjamin.

    "This is the highpoint of all my time watching them because back in 2009 we were sent down to the National League when we were deducted 30 points and since then it's been a slow climb back up. To get to the Premier League is beyond our wildest dreams," he said.

    "It is a family ethos club, a very moral club. We don't accept sponsorship from betting companies. At the final whistle on Saturday it was hard to take in."

  7. 'Hope, excitement and unity'published at 12:23 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Aslam Khan, deputy leader of Luton Council, is with fellow fans at Kenilworth Road.

    "There's huge excitement here and you see diversity all around," he says.

    "This is what this win has brought to this town - hope, excitement and unity.

    "We are here and we have made history, this is just the beginning, there's more to come.

    "It might be small, it might be old, but the ground is real, the people are real and the spirit is high."

    Aslam Khan, deputy leader of Luton Council, with fellow fans at Kenilworth Road.Image source, Luke Ashmead/BBC
  8. Crowds packed into St George's Square in Lutonpublished at 12:21 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    We're minutes away from the players arriving at St George's Square in Luton. As you can see, the crowd is now packed in.

    Crowds in St George's Square LutonImage source, Reuters
  9. In praise of Pellypublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Paul Grunill
    BBC Sport

    As well as all the shirts and scarves, there are plenty of home-made signs too among the crowd of supporters.

    One family have been creative in support of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who has been with Luton throughout their climb from the National League.

    Pelly-Ruddock MpanzuImage source, PA Media

    Next season, he is set to become the first player to appear in the top five divisions of English football with the same club.

    Luton Town fansImage source, PA Media
  10. Live pictures from the Luton Town partypublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    We're bringing you live video coverage from the Luton Town parade through the town. Click above to watch that footage.

  11. Time for Sweet Carolinepublished at 12:05 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Kate Bradbrook
    BBC Look East

    I’ve just been up by the stage, the band is playing, people are singing along, the sun has just come out.

    The area is now packed with fans, families, friends, lots of children - all wearing orange shirts and scarves, singing and joining in with Sweet Caroline.​

    I could hardly get through, the crowd is so big now but everyone seems in very good spirits.

    Luton fansImage source, BBC News
    Luton fansImage source, BBC News
  12. 'This is where we belong'published at 12:02 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Alfie Allen, Michael Hyde and Terry Hyde ae enjoying the party in the square.

    In a matching wig, jumpsuit and facepaint, Michael says he "bleeds orange".

    He’s been a fan for 36 years and “followed them down to the bottom right back to the top".

    "This is where we belong," he says.

    Alfie Allen with Michael Hyde and Terry HydeImage source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC
  13. 'It still hasn't sunk in'published at 12:01 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Paul Grunill
    BBC Sport

    Reece BurkeImage source, Rex Features

    Luton defender Reece Burke is looking forward to celebrating with the crowds after playing a key role in Saturday's game against Coventry.

    Burke was sent on as a substitute following Tom Lockyer's collapse and is still struggling with his voice after so much shouting during the game.

    "It's unbelievable, I don't think it's sunk in yet, but today is going to be a great day and I'm going to enjoy every moment of it," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

    "I'm over the moon. I'm sure over the next few days I'll sit down and think 'do you know what, we actually did it?' It was probably the best day of my life. What a season, the fans, the lads, the staff, it's just been brilliant."

  14. 'Bringing it home'published at 11:57 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Kylie and Mem and children Ayden and Chloe, wearing Luton scarves and flying Luton flagsImage source, Alex Pope/BBC

    Mum Kylie, dad Mem and children Ayden, 13, and Chloe, eight, are flying the flag for Luton.

    "I'm very excited - glad to see the team bringing it home," says Kylie.

    "After 30-odd years we needed it, to come from the conference to Premier League, it's amazing," adds Mem.

  15. 'We'll cherish these days'published at 11:55 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Paul Grunill
    BBC Sport

    Mick HarfordImage source, Rex Features

    Former Luton player and manager Mick Harford, now the club's director of recruitment, says these are days to "cherish" following promotion to the Premier League.

    "It's going to be a great celebration," said Harford, who was in the Hatters team that won the League Cup at Wembley in 1988.

    "There's an amazing vibe around the town, and where I live in Harpenden, everyone has been complementing and congratulating us," he told BBC Three Counties Radio.

    "It's a brilliant time for the football club and so well deserved. We're really looking forward to today to be amongst the fans and thank them for their support."

  16. In pictures: Fans gather at start of parade routepublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Paul Grunill
    BBC Sport

    The sky may be overcast but a large number of fans have gathered at the departure point for the bus parade.

    Others are already in position outside Kenilworth Road and at vantage points along the route waiting to catch a glimpse of their Wembley heroes.

    Luton fansImage source, Luke Ashmead/BBC
    Luton fan at Kenilworth RoadImage source, PA Media
  17. Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds is watchingpublished at 11:50 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

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    Luton Town's victory wasn't the only rags-to-riches tale this season, of course.

    Wrexham FC's meteoric rise to the English Football League played out like a Hollywood script befitting of movie-star owner Ryan Reynolds.

    He tweeted to congratulate the Hatters, with a cheeky reminder that he's got his eyes on the prize of the Premier League.

  18. 'Erling Haaland is coming to the Kenny'published at 11:44 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Twelve-year-old Leon - seen here in black - is absolutely buzzing.

    He was at Wembley on Saturday with Elliott, 10, Jack, 12, and nine-year-old Sophie.

    "I didn’t sleep last night I was too excited," he says.

    "I can’t wait to go and watch them.

    "All I’ve got in my mind is Erling Haaland coming to the Kenny [Kenilworth Road]."

    Children and adults holding flags in St George's SquareImage source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC
  19. 'It's crazy we've got to the Premier League'published at 11:41 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Friends Libby, Emily and MacieImage source, Kate Bradbrook/BBC

    Libby, Emily and Macie are all 12 and play for Luton Town Academy.

    “It’s really cool that we made it to Wembley and we won," says Libby, while pal Macie loves that people have "come out to support Luton".

    "It means more to me because I play," adds Emily.

    "It’s crazy they’ve gone from non-league to Premier League in 10 years."

  20. In pictures: Crowds building in St George's Squarepublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 29 May 2023

    Fans celebrating Luton Town's promotionImage source, PA Media
    Fans celebrating Luton Town's promotionImage source, PA Media
    Luton Town fans celebrating promotionImage source, PA Media