Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • International
      • #
    • Business
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup 2022
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
  • Latest
  • Business
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • All Woman
  • Career & Education
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Classifieds
  • Design Week
Reggae Boy Bell’s Luton complete fairytale rise to Premier League
Luton Town's players celebrate on the pitch after Luton win the penalty shoot-out in the English Championship play-off final against Coventry City at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. (Photo: AFP)
Football, Sports
May 27, 2023

Reggae Boy Bell’s Luton complete fairytale rise to Premier League

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Luton completed a fairytale journey to the Premier League after beating Coventry on penalties in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.

The Hatters, the club of Jamaica international Ama’ri Bell, secured a fourth promotion in 10 seasons 6-5 in the shootout after the sides were tied at 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Financial experts estimate promotion to world football’s most watched league to be worth around £170 million ($210 million) for a club that have been through turmoil since they last played in the top flight 31 years ago.

Luton are the first club to go from the fifth tier to the top flight in the Premier League era.

Midfielder Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu has been on that whole journey and becomes the first player to go from the National League to Premier League with the same club.

“I feel like I completed football,” said Mpanzu. It’s been a journey. It’s going to be a party all summer.”

Some of Luton’s cash windfall will go to upgrading the club’s stadium, Kenilworth Road, which with a capacity just over 10,000 and set among rows of terraced houses, will be hosting the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool next season.

Luton had to recover from an early shock when Captain Tom Lockyer collapsed on the field.

The Welsh centre-back was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where the club confirmed he was responsive and able to talk to his family.

“I feel really good, but the only thing I’m thinking about now is Tom Lockyer,” said Luton Manager Rob Edwards.

Lockyer had played his part when Luton had the ball in the net after just five minutes when Gabriel Osho was flagged offside as he forced the ball in from close range.

But a bright start from Edwards’ men was rewarded on 23 minutes when Elijah Adebayo’s good work down the left teed up Jordan Clark to smash home at the near post.

Adebayo had a second Luton goal ruled out before half-time for handball.

Coventry looked like a side that had stage fright in front of 85,000 people in the first half.

But Mark Robins’ side have grown used to thriving in adversity.

In their 22 years away from the top flight, Coventry have been forced out of their home city to Northampton and Birmingham due to financial issues in leasing their stadium.

Even when restored to Coventry, they began the season at the foot of the Championship table after being unable to host home games due to the state of their pitch which had been used for rugby at the Commonwealth Games.

Coventry were much improved after the break and got their reward 24 minutes from time when Viktor Gyokeres teed up Gustavo Hamer to fire into the far corner.

The Sky Blues nearly turned the tie around fully within minutes when Matt Godden blazed a big chance over.

Tired legs and tension took over in extra-time, but Coventry had a massive let-off four minutes from time.

Joe Taylor slotted home after charging down Jonathan Panzo’s clearance, but the goal was ruled out as the ball struck the Luton man’s hand.

All of the first 11 penalties were then scored as the takers showed incredible poise under the most extreme pressure.

But when Fankaty Dabo’s effort sailed over the bar, Luton’s dreams came true.

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

SERHA reaffirms integrity in procurement of $31m neuro drill, welcomes audit
Latest News, News
SERHA reaffirms integrity in procurement of $31m neuro drill, welcomes audit
May 22, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) is calling for an end to the “politicisation” of the procurement of a $31 million...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Nine-night for Junior Byles on Labour Day
Entertainment, Latest News
Nine-night for Junior Byles on Labour Day
May 22, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The legacy of the late roots reggae singer Kenneth “Junior” Byles will not be allowed to “fade away”. There will be a nine-night c...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
MP Robertson lauds opening of ‘transformative’ $6b Morant Bay Urban Centre
Latest News, News
MP Robertson lauds opening of ‘transformative’ $6b Morant Bay Urban Centre
May 22, 2025
ST THOMAS, Jamaica — Member of Parliament (MP) for St Thomas Western, James Robertson, has lauded the Government, Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FC...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Promoter vows no more absentee performers following Jamal’s no-show at event
Entertainment, Latest News
Promoter vows no more absentee performers following Jamal’s no-show at event
May 22, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The organisers of the White Out Premium All White Beach Party say they will ensure, as much as possible, that there are no more “n...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gov’t to finalise decision on PPV fare increase soon
Latest News, News
Gov’t to finalise decision on PPV fare increase soon
May 22, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz has assured public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators that ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Forecasters predict ‘potentially intense’ but ‘erratic’ hurricane season
Latest News, Regional
Forecasters predict ‘potentially intense’ but ‘erratic’ hurricane season
May 22, 2025
ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) — Regional forecasters Thursday predicted a “potentially intense, but erratic” 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, saying the f...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
At youth forum, C-CAM showcases digital solutions to coastal challenges
Latest News, News
At youth forum, C-CAM showcases digital solutions to coastal challenges
May 22, 2025
As climate change continues to reshape coastal communities in Jamaica, the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) turned to an increasin...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Several dead in fiery plane crash on California neighborhood
International News, Latest News
Several dead in fiery plane crash on California neighborhood
May 22, 2025
SAN DIEGO, United States (AFP) — Several people were killed when a small plane crashed in a California neighborhood before dawn Thursday, destroying a...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct