In Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, Hatters coach Rob Edwards was ecstatic to see Luke Berry get an equalizer—his first in the Premier League—and become the first player for Hatters to score in all four English football levels.
In a game when time was of the essence, Town were looking for a way to stop their opponents from entering the international break six points ahead of them in the fight for survival, and Berry was substituted for Jordan Clark. This was Berry’s ninth appearance in the top division this season. Following a demoralising and energy-draining week—including another trip to the well following Wednesday night’s 4-3 loss to Bournemouth—it seems like they would never recover from this setback—until Berry’s miraculous performance.
After Luton won a corner, Ross Barkley raced into the penalty area to meet Reece Burke’s delivery. In a split second, the midfielder spun inside the area, sent a left-footed shot that beat Reds defender on the line and beat goalkeeper Matz Sels. The crowd at Kenilworth Road went wild, celebrating one of the most beloved Hatters this season.
Edwards gushed, calling it “a brilliant story,” to describe Berry’s remarkable feat of having scored in each of the five English football levels because he had previously scored in the Conference when playing for Cambridge United. His achievement of scoring in each of the five divisions is quite remarkable. It is also a momentous occasion for both the football club and him, since he is considered a club legend for his many contributions to the team.
Hoping something lands is all you can do. Today, in such a crucial game, he ended it pretty well; he’s come on a lot this year, maybe eight or so times, and he’s been near on many occasions to anything.
Despite not seeing much playing time this season, Berry has been an integral part of most Luton matchday teams (24 out of 29 Premier League matches). With the injury list piling up, he has been pressed into more action, coming off the bench seven times in the past ten games. Edwards has always had complete trust in him when he comes in, saying: “We back him.” His goal-scoring prowess has saved points on many occasions, including two in a Championship match against Blackburn Rovers and a draw against Millwall last season. For the whole of his professional football career, Luke Berry has been an incredibly talented and clever player.
I am delighted for him because he has impeccable timing in the penalty area and is a constant threat to score. For Luke Berry, scoring in the Premier League is an incredible achievement, but we are where we are. He plays a vital role for our club, football team, and squad. We can’t change our identity and bring in Callum Hudson-Odoi; I adore it. That, in my opinion, is what unites us and makes us special. Luke Berry scoring is a fantastic moment today.
Three players who have been with Luton since they began out in League Two were involved on Saturday: Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, who started the game but was regrettably substituted halfway through the second half due to an injury, James Shea, who was on the bench, and Mpanzu. Edwards took great pride in the outcome and went on to say: “Pelly was here from even before that as well, so there are a number of them who have had to fight and scrap and work so, so hard to be here and they don’t want to give that up easily.” This just served to highlight the accomplishment for Edwards.
Right now, they’re demonstrating that belief. I think Luke and Pelly, along with a few others like them, are emblematic of our club, and that must last forever; without belief, they would not have persevered and scored an equaliser in the 94th minute. Our distinct spirit sets us apart. What an outstanding team! They’ve never let us down and have consistently delivered.