Marvelous Nakamba’s Luton Town makes unwanted history with back-to-back relegations
Zimbabwe star midfielder Marvelous Nakamba’s club, Luton Town, has made unwanted history after suffering back-to-back relegations — plunging from the Premier League last season to League One this weekend.
A stunning collapse at the Hawthorns
Luton’s relegation was sealed after a dramatic 5–3 loss to West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. The Hatters had needed to match or better Hull City’s result to survive.
But after a brief burst of optimism from a three-match winning streak, Luton were overrun.
“Agonising for us to get to 49 points and it not be enough,” said manager Matt Bloomfield.
“We left ourselves exposed… but we had to try to chase the game. It’s disappointing. Agonising.”
Their hopes were dashed early as Albion stormed to a 3–1 lead before the break. Despite scoring again in the second half, Luton conceded two more.
“It’s a painful moment,” Bloomfield admitted.
“To work so hard and fall at the final hurdle… particularly painful.”
Luton finished level on 49 points with Hull but had a 14-goal inferior difference.
Fans stunned and emotional
In Luton, fans reacted with a mix of frustration and disbelief. Supporters gathered in pubs to watch the final match, hoping for a miracle that never came.
“I’m gutted — it’s too soon, man,” said Josh Mizzie, 18.
“Every Luton fan thought we were established. Not coming back up, but relegation? It’s bad.”
Others were more reflective.
“They didn’t regroup quick enough,” said Nicky Manix-Hall, 52.
“Now they’ve got to regroup in the summer or continue to go down.”
Some, like lifelong supporter Robin Wheeler, pointed to poor decisions.
“We relaxed and let those goals in. We just needed more. I don’t know what’s happening.”
Ollie Kay, podcaster of The OK Football Show, was blunt.
“I’ve seen seven relegations now. This is without a doubt the worst, because it was avoidable.”
“There’s a lot of players that are un-Lutonesque. They’re going to get the elbow hopefully in the summer.”
Kay also criticised the club’s leadership.
“Gary Sweet needs to step away from the football side of it…
Go do Power Court, let someone who understands football take over.”
Zimbabweans hit hard
Nakamba wasn’t the only Zimbabwean star to suffer the drop. Three Zimbabwean players were relegated from the English Championship to League 1. In addition to Nakamba, Brendon Galloway of Plymouth Argyle and Andy Rinomhota of Cardiff City were also relegated.
Luton Town now joins the infamous list of clubs who have dropped from the Premier League to League One in consecutive seasons: Swindon Town (1995), Wolves (2013), and Sunderland (2018).
As Luton prepare for life in the third tier, fans will be watching closely to see if the team — and Nakamba — can bounce back.
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The post Zimbabwe Star Marvelous Nakamba’s Luton Town Suffers Double Relegation, Makes Unwanted History appeared first on iHarare News.
