No more Tommy Robinson chants, Luton Town CEO tells fans
Luton Town's chief executive has urged the Hatters fans to stop singing chants in favour of Tommy Robinson after their defeat at The Hawthorns.
The League One club brought 1,175 supporters to the Black Country for their Carabao Cup first round match on Tuesday, the second-highest away attendance of the night behind Villa.
Luton’s fans were in a jocular mood, singing “Where’s your boiler gone?” in reference to the absent mascot from Albion’s sponsors Ideal Boilers, and “Stacey’s too good for you”, making light of the Baggies’ recent interest in Hatters full-back Jack Stacey.
But there were also chants from the away end in favour of right-wing political activist Tommy Robinson, and Luton CEO Gary Sweet has asked supporters to stop.
“Apart from the result, our experience was blemished, for the second away game running, by hearing the chanting the name of a political figurehead by a small number of Hatters supporters,” said Sweet.
“This is hugely disappointing for us, as a board, because the individual in question wasn’t playing or involved in the squad or staff.
“Everyone at the club has worked extremely hard and will continue to work tirelessly to create an environment – whether that be Kenilworth Road, Power Court or any away game – for our community of supporters to support their team and enjoy a football match knowing that all prejudice – whether that be political, religious, cultural or racial – can and should be left for another day.
“This allows us to invite anybody into our environment without discomfort, disrespect or fear, and welcome any and every member of our wide community respectfully.
“Luton and Luton Town Football Club is intertwined in a rich tapestry of continuous change and diversity and, for me, the success of embracing such difference has always been ideologically characteristic of ‘being Lutonian’.
“We absolutely accept and respect the fact that everyone holds their own independent opinions and values, but we politely ask for you to temporarily overlook those views for a couple of hours or so when attending Luton Town matches in future.
“Please respect others when supporting our great club, please support the players on the pitch and please refrain from introducing non-football songs into our stadia.”
Albion enjoy a rich history of celebrating diversity, having spearheaded the inclusion of black players in English football with the Three Degrees in the late 1970s.
Baggies boss Darren Moore is one of just a handful of BAME (black and ethnic minority) managers in English football.
