Watching the Hatters in short sleeves
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Football is mainly a winter sport, but it can also be hot work for players and spectators – as these two pictures show.
The main photo, above, shows Luton Town fans sitting – apart from a few – at Kenilworth Road during a game against Newport on May 31, 1947.
It was the final match of the season, with the Welsh club already relegated from Division 2.
Luton Town historian Roger Wash said: “The season was extended that year because of the bad winter.
“It was a hot day, but there were very few wearing shirtsleeves, with some insisting on jacket and tie as they sat on the Kenilworth Road terrace at half-time.

“You can pick out all sorts of characters in the photo, including the chap at the very bottom in his wartime utility sunglasses.” Luton won 6-3, with goals from Billington (3), Connelly, Wallbanks and Waugh.
> Pictured below are topless Hatters players training with medicine balls on the Kenilworth Road pitch as temperatures soared in the late ‘40s.
They are believed to be, l to r, Charlie Burtenshaw, Peter Small, Bill Burtenshaw, unknown, Les Lake, Jim Pemberton, Bill Collins, Jim Wilson.
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Weather for Luton
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
