Lawless thought he would be offered new deal with Luton

Former Hatters midfielder Alex Lawless admitted he had let himself start to believe he had a future at Kenilworth Road before being released last week.
Alex Lawless wasn't offered a new deal at LutonAlex Lawless wasn't offered a new deal at Luton
Alex Lawless wasn't offered a new deal at Luton

The 31-year-old had been left in the dark over whether he would be staying at the club next season with his contract running down.

It had looked like has in with a chance of receiving a new deal too, having been a regular under boss Nathan Jones at the start of his tenure and then playing 90 minutes of the 4-1 win over Exeter City, producing a man of the match performance in the process.

However, the following Monday saw Jones announce his retained list, with Lawless not on it, instead given a free transfer, ending his six years with the club.

Alex LawlessAlex Lawless
Alex Lawless

Speaking to the News/Gazette, he said: “I’m still trying to get my head round it as it’s not something I thought was going to come along.

“I was absolutely gutted. I’d sort of got my hopes up really and then with it being coming to the last moment, I went into it quite hopefully, so it was just super disappointing.

“A lot of people are asking me if I knew anything, I obviously clearly didn’t.

“I wanted to be at Luton as long as I could, I said that at the beginning, I’ve always said it, that I was trying to make my way up the leagues with the club.

Alex LawlessAlex Lawless
Alex Lawless

“It was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing whether things would go for me or not and in the end it didn’t, so it’s unfortunately one of those things.”

On what Jones had said during their meeting, Lawless continued: “We had a chat, and I think those things are best left.

“That’s not saying there was any fall out or anything at all, but they’re things that he would have wanted to say to me.

“From my point of view I’m just disappointed the conversation didn’t go as I would have hoped and liked it to have.”

Jones had stated afterwards that the midfielder was unfortunate to have a number of players in his position at the club, although Lawless said: “That’s maybe where I thought I had a chance with my versatility but I have only played seemingly one position for Nathan Jones.

“I was looking forward to playing under him and told him that as well, so that’s disappointing.

“But then you only want to play for people who really want you to play for them too that’s important.”

Lawless made his 203rd and final appearance during the 4-1 win over Exeter and conceded he would have preferred to know beforehand it was going to be his swansong.

He continued: “It was a shame I didn’t know it was my last game.

“I wouldn’t have played the game any differently, it would have just been nice and thank a lot of people on the day and show my appreciation to the supporters for their support I’ve had over the years.

“Now I’m pleased I actually played well that day looking back because it leaves me with a good memory of my last game, especially it being at home.

“That was another nice memory that I’ve got as I’ve had some great ones over the year.”

On what were some of his best times for the club, Lawless, who scored plenty of crucial goals, including the winner against Wolves in the FA Cup and cracker at Wrexham in the play-offs, went on to say: “The FA Cup run was exciting, especially having the league season not going so well that year, that really, really helped,

“It was an achievement we’re not seeing that often still, that was huge at the time.

“There’s a lot of video stuff online, so I’ve got some nice memories, I won’t forget them (goals).

“They were massive to me and go along with your reputation as a player and how your teammates judge you, so those types of things were major highlights.”