Ex-Hatter Kirk Stephens: Hornets didn't come into our equation during Division Two title-winning season

Former Luton defender Kirk Stephens didn't care one bit that his side finished eight points clear of fierce rivals Watford during their Division Two 1981-82 title-winning campaign, just that the Hatters reached the top flight.

A superb season from David Pleat's men saw the Town end up as champions with ease, ending eight points clear of their bitter rivals with a mere four league defeats all term.

They did beat Watford 4-1 at Kenilworth Road, David Moss scoring two penalties and Brian Stein notching a double, while Stein's goal saw Town draw 1-1 at Vicarage Road.

However, with Luton picking up the league trophy 38 years ago today ahead of a 1-1 draw at home to Barnsley, Stein again on target, speaking to the Luton News, Stephens said: "Just winning the title was enough, Watford didn't come into the equation.

"It was about us winning promotion, we always wanted to beat Watford, it didn't matter what league or position we were in, but we’d done so well, we just wanted to finish top, which we did.

"And to be fair, all credit to David Pleat for putting the squad together."

It was quite the group of players that Pleat had assembled at Kenilworth Road as well, with Brian Horton coming in during the summer from Brighton to add steel to an attack-minded side that contained the likes of Brian Stein, Ricky Hill, David Moss and Steve White.

Stephens continued: "Everybody respected Nobby when he came, but likewise he respected everyone else.

"He was a good captain, he led by example and I think he liked me, as if someone was kicking Walshy (Paul Walsh), or Ricky or Steiny, me and Nobby would go and sort it out.

“Mal Donaghy was probably one of the most fantastic centre halves ever too, a sweeper, there was no fuss with Mal,

"He just did his job and he did it brilliantly, but you didn't want to mess with Mal Donaghy at times, Mal could look after himself.

“We had Mark Aizlewood at left back, a rugged left back, we had a good balanced side, good goalscoring people like Brian Stein, the ability of Moss and Hill and the strength of the rest of us."

Town's title had been four years in coming as Pleat took over in January 1978 after leaving Nuneaton, the place where Stephens had been previously too.

On how the move came about, Stephens said: "When I was at Nuneaton, I was only there for six months with David, as David parted company.

"The night he was leaving the ground, I bumped into him and he said 'Kirk, I think you’re a terrific little player, if I become manager of a Football League club I’m going to come back and sign you.'

"Six months afterwards, he got the manager's job and that week he sold Steve Buckley to Derby County, sold the Futcher twins to Man City, and he signed the likes of Bob Hatton, Mark Aizelwood, David Moss, Steve Sherlock, Chris Turner and myself.

“I’m on about days, not weeks or months after he joined, so it was fantastic for me, at the age of 23 to go and fulfil a kids dream, play professional football."

Stephens' debut couldn't have gone any better, a 6-1 thrashing of Oldham Athletic at Kenilworth Road, before injury threatened to cut short his season.

However, he was back after the turn of the year and barely missed a game for the next five seasons, racking up 248 appearances with two goals.

On his start to life in Town colours, Stephens said: "It (Oldham game) was terrific, as we were 1-0 down at half time, but brilliant to be part of.

"I only played about four games and I got injured in training.

"A fellow called David Carr who was the right back at Luton before I arrived, we clashed in a tackle and unfortunately I snapped my cruciate ligaments which put me out of the game for a little while.

"I was so determined, as those sorts of injuries in those days finished players, but I fought back and got myself back out there again within weeks.

“That was a bit of a poor start, but after that I think I was almost an ever-present."

He certainly was as Town's league position improved year by year, finishing 18th, sixth and then fifth before the title was secured in the 1982-83 campaign.

Stephens felt it was a case of the team being given the time to gel, adding: "When you look, we literally had a new side going out there.

"Paul Price was the longest serving player and you had Ricky Hill and Brian Stein who had been there 12 months, then us lot thrown in.

"Pleaty threw us in, with his foresight, and he probably had got some of the most skilful players you've ever seen in Ricky Hill and Brian Stein.

"He knew the strengths of other players, my strength wasn't my skill, but in determination, effort and energy, I think I was up there with them.

"The rest with that side is history, a fantastic side and some great people."