FEATURE: Luton Town fans give the return to Kenilworth Road the thumbs up

After over nine long months away, 1,000 supporters were finally allowed back into Kenilworth Road for last night's game against Norwich City, and what an evening it was, the Hatters running out 3-1 winners over the Championship leaders.

For the players and manager Nathan Jones it was a huge boost to have a crowd present once more, after playing in front of empty stadiums for far too long.

But what it was like for the fans? And how was the experienced compared to a normal match-day?

The Luton News contacted five supporters who were lucky enough to be at the game and here is what they had to say.

Paul Wright, season-ticket holder for 40 years:

“I went by myself, as I normally go with my father, but he is unwilling to go to the football until the vaccines are available.

“It was a bit unusual not being in my regular seat as I haven't been in the Oak Road for years.

“The stewards were fantastic, brilliantly organised and very easy.

“I would expect teething problems from the first game, but none that I saw and the social-distancing was fine, supermarkets could learn a thing or two.

“I’m so used to wearing a mask now it didn't seem any different. It's part of everyday life leaving the house, wallet, keys, phone, mask.

“It wasn't ever going to be the cauldron of hate as the atmosphere was like a Trophy game to begin with, but as the game went on and the performance of the team was excellent - both in possession and without.

“It was great to back at Kenilworth Road, once again the team bounced back from a poor performance so well.

“I enjoyed the experience very much, although I haven't missed attending football as much as I thought, as sport is great, but health is really the only important thing from life.

“Watching on iFollow is better than nothing and I am grateful to watch it, but it’s not the same as being there.

“It was nice to see the likes of Rhys Norrington-Davies and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall play in the flesh, as both have made a massive impact in a short space of time.

“You do miss things like speed of the ball, the technique of players, movement off the ball - I miss that tactical side of the game when watching on a screen or laptop.

“It was obviously a different experience to normal, but everyone has had to adapt during the current climates and the club deserves credit for sorting it out as it's an impossible job.

“I would like to say thanks to all Luton Town for organising tonight's match within the limited time-frame and the logistic nightmare of hosting even a polite social gathering at Kenilworth Road given the necessary protocols.

“The performance and result was the icing on the cake.”

Jamie Castle, season ticket holder since 2002/03:

“I went with my dad and being a Kenny boy, sitting in the Oak Road meant I managed to tick the notorious gardens off the bucket list!

“Getting into the ground was absolutely fine. We had the 7.10pm - 7.30pm slot, with temperature check, hands sanitised, shown to our seats via a one-way system.

"Absolutely no issues at all, stewards were great and it was great to be back.

“Everyone was respectful of the rules, one-way systems obviously helped and will be fine when we’re able to have 2,000.

“Wearing a mask was very weird, slightly annoying when you’re singing/shouting and it moves but it’s what we’ve got to do, so no complaints from me.

“The atmosphere was better than I expected. I thought it’d be slightly dead, and don’t get me wrong it’s nowhere near what a useful roaring Kenny is like, but it was good.

“Words can’t describe what it was like watching live football again, it was very much needed.

“It’s only the first step on a long journey back to a full house but it’s what we wanted from the #LetFansIn campaign.

“Hopefully I’ll be able to go to one of the two home games this side of Christmas but also happy to wait my turn and let other season ticket holders who missed out a chance to experience it.

“I’m just grateful to be able to experience a live game again. Certainly something I’ll never forget and it was an 'I was there' moment made even better by a fantastic performance from the boys #COYH!”

Adam Driscoll, season ticket holder for 20 years:

“I went with my Dad, Malcolm Driscoll and for the first time ever, I sat in the Oak Road stand, Block A, I didn’t even realise you could get into the Oak Road via the Main Stand!

“It was strange, and a constant reminder of the times we are living in, but a nice experience and one that I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.

“We were met on the turnstile by a few stewards who advised that we needed our temperature taking before entry and then greeted by another steward who showed us to our seats.

“The stewards did very well considering how much of a maze Kenilworth Road actually is.

“I was a little surprised that fans were seated so closely together but it actually made for a better atmosphere at only 10 per cent capacity.

"I’d expect more spacing as the attendance increases and allowing the removal of masks during the game, otherwise, everyone stuck to the social distance ruling and wore their masks, it was very well enforced and equally adhered to.

“For me, wearing a mask is absolutely fine if a little uncomfortable. For my Dad, it resulted in steamed-up glasses which ended up in his pocket after only five minutes.

“The atmosphere was brilliant! A real backing of the players and manager throughout. You wouldn’t think Nathan Jones ever left in all honesty.

“The players seemed to thrive from even a small number of fans and put in a great performance both on and off the ball.

“(Kiernan) Dewsbury-Hall is a quality addition and put in another fantastic performance, three valuable points and a good time to be a Hatter.

“It felt great being back in the ground and not relying on the iFollow camera man, it won’t be the same until we have a full crowd back but certainly a better experience than watching on TV.

“Rightfully others will get their turn first but I can’t wait to be back again and hopefully at the start of next season we will all be allowed back.”

Chris Gazeley, season ticket holder since 1982:

“I went by myself and felt very honoured to be there.

“It was well organised all round. It is strange but we have to do what we do to go.

“Leaving was strange as I had to be there for 6.30pm, the first slot in but then the last slot to leave.

“The atmosphere got better through the game and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with that performance and result.

“It was amazing to watch live football again, as I didn’t realise how much I’d missed it, I cannot wait to go back again too.”

Carly Odell, dad is a season ticket holder for over 10 years:

'Like kids at Christmas', is how my dad described my brother and I when we found out we were part of the lucky 1,000 fans who could attend the first not-behind-closed-doors game at Kenilworth Road.

"Walking up Hazelbury Crescent ahead of our 7.10pm - 7.30pm entrance slot, where we were pretty much the only people on the street, was a strange experience that can only be described as a far cry from any other home game I have ever attended.

"Following a squirt of hand sanitiser and a temperature check outside, we were directed through a specific turnstile by stewards and were in the back row of the Kenilworth Upper stand, while at no point while moving around the ground did we feel unsafe or feel like we were too close to another party.

"It felt busier than I thought it would and the 1,000 who were there were very aware of the need to make extra noise to accommodate the up to 9,000 who couldn't be there.

"At points throughout the game you could hear Nathan Jones' Welsh accent bellowing around the ground and James Shea instructing his defenders, but when George Moncur hit his screamer of a goal and a questionable penalty was given right in front of the Kenilworth stand, the atmosphere and the crowd felt like home.

"I'm sure I won't be the only person to say when the crowd first erupted as the players clapped to welcome fans as they finished warming up, I had chills (not just because it was freezing) and a sense of relief at the first taste of some form of normality months.

"That feeling of belonging is the reason we will live without a coffee or a beer in the ground, continue to wear our face masks - no matter how much our glasses steam up, and make do not chatting to our usual seat neighbours about dodgy decisions and tactical substitutions, for as long as we have to if it means we can see the team we love play in person.

"And as the three of the first 1,000 allowed to enter, I can say we followed the rules to the dot and did everything we could do to make sure the pilot went well in the hope that more fellow Hatters can experience the magic once again when we play Preston a week on Saturday."