SIMON JORDAN: There is nothing plastic about Luton – they are the embodiment of our game

There has been an air of pomp and a bit of misguided footballing elitism in Luton Town since rising to the Premier League.

Since that dramatic Wembley win, the focus has been on Kenilworth Road’s capacity and the fact that the stadium isn’t in the best condition – it’s all been a bit mean.

But rather than fret about the perceived negatives, let’s celebrate their return to England’s top flight after a 31-year absence, as they deserved their moment in the sun.

Without being too sugary, this is what dreams should be made of, this is what football should represent.

Football has had an unfortunate streak in recent times: the Premier League champions have been investigated for financial impropriety, clubs like Everton have faced similar challenges, while sanctions have been imposed on a number of Championship clubs.

Securing Luton Town’s promotion to the Premier League for next season embodies our wonderful game

Hatters manager Rob Edwards led his side to Championship playoff success last week

How refreshing then to see a football club made of passion come out of the clouds. They have overcome adversity with a small budget, core values ​​and integrity.

Mail Sport columnist Simon Jordan believes the Premier League needs Luton Town

This is a club that refuses to compromise on its values ​​and chose not to embrace the cheap fruits of commercial support from betting companies because it didn’t agree. These principles and characteristics are in part what football clubs should embody and what the game should represent.

Luton’s journey back into the elite represents the restoration and remembrance of the dream that the Premier League is a country that can be reached no matter how far you’ve fallen.

There’s something pure, clean and uplifting about their journey from the non-league they played in just nine years ago to joining the biggest and best league in the world this past weekend.

Overcoming every single obstacle, uniting people, the validity of a football club and the achievements of individual merit coupled with collective spirit – that is what defines Luton. That’s what should be celebrated, that’s what we should be talking about and not how to reach the away game at Kenilworth Road.

Jordan Clark’s opening goal in the first half helped Luton win 6-5 against Coventry on penalties

With oil-rich giants like Man City dominating the top flight, Luton will be a breath of fresh air

Luton should be something we hope for and strive for. Not because they are smaller compared to those big, monolithic football clubs, but because they are English football.

There might have been a plastic square in the 1980s, but today there is nothing plastic in Luton. They’ve completed four divisions with 10,000 fans on the ground, bringing a breath of fresh air to this sometimes tight-fisted, superficial world of football.

It’s simple: the Premier League needs clubs like Luton.

Under no circumstances should you apologize for anything or develop an inferiority complex. They should definitely and undeniably be Luton Town Football Club.

They should use the size of their stadium as an advantage. Premier League players are used to palatial facilities but sticking the key in the door at Luton shatters the window at the back of the dressing room – take advantage of that! Be proud of being a runaway.

Some football fans have poked fun at Luton’s home ground, Kenilworth Road, which has a capacity of just over 10,000 before the club’s fairytale return to the Premier League next season

But Luton must use Kenilworth Road to his advantage when Premier League teams visit

They must never forget that they have a right to be there, even if they are going to their first Premier League game. It will be interesting to see how Luton handles a more professional approach.

Football league meetings – featuring a multitude of clubs with very small mentalities and views – tended to focus on ridiculous rule changes and the color of referee shorts rather than the bigger issues. There is a clear agenda in the Premier League: how much money are we getting and where are we getting it from?

You know where you stand. They know the main target and Luton will be part of the conversation and not the rabble about low rents they’ve had to listen to for years. This will be the culture change of all culture changes.

Because everything changes when you play in the Premier League. Everything looks so much brighter, so much easier on the eye. Even the way the broadcasters put the shows together is different. In the Football League there is an old man with a rattle promoting it, in the Premier League everything is done in a grandiose style that makes everything seem bigger and better. Everything shines like it got a T-cut just an inch away from its lifespan.

And when the so-called big boys show up at your place, everyone’s energy goes up. Suddenly you are no longer observing, but participating. You didn’t press your nose against the toy store window like Tiny Tim did. You’re actually in the toy store, even if you’re only faking it until you make it.

Luton must not change his refreshing approach to football and develop an inferiority complex

They celebrated their dramatic playoff final victory with an open-topped bus parade through town

You will also face a huge surge in media interest. Every aspect, every part of the club becomes public property and interest. They are constantly portrayed as the have-nots and cannot allow that to seep into their psyche. You must rise above it and not be sucked into it.

They are not second-class citizens and constantly pigeonholing them will be a challenge unless they embrace it and use it to their advantage. But after everything they’ve been through, they can get used to it.

There will no doubt be sniffing from many Premier League clubs, but there will also be respect and admiration. Being a somewhat wild character and a vocal scorn for the narrow-mindedness of the Football League, my entry into the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2004 was viewed with concern, so much so that I was asked to attend a meeting with Richard Scudamore so they could tell me how to behave. Suffice it to say that the query was answered with a two-word answer.

I am by no means advocating that Luton adopt the approach I have taken. I hope Luton goes into the league with his shoulders back and his chest out and takes over this league once their chairman enters his first Premier League meeting. From game one to game 38, every aspect of Luton Town should be filled with pride, faith and confidence. Don’t show fear and don’t apologize for anything.

They are a credit to the pyramid and to football in this country, the living embodiment of what the English game should be like.

Marvelous Nakamba (right) celebrates with fans after reaching the championship playoff finals

TYSON FURY, YOU are embarrassing yourself

As someone who considers himself a Tyson Fury fan, I am increasingly disillusioned with his behavior, attitude and social media output.

Once upon a time, heavyweight champions were meant to mean something — they were the leaders of boxing — but his ridiculous behavior is embarrassing.

He’s one of the most charismatic athletes in the world, but he’s becoming more and more of a laughing stock, an object of ridicule, with all that ranting at Oleksandr Usyk and his constant, perceived appeal to the possibly-broken Anthony Joshua.

He scoffs at the idea that fighters can immortalize themselves through their actions in the ring.

Tyson Fury’s ridiculous outbursts become an embarrassment for both himself and the sport of boxing

His rants about Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk did not bode well for him

We all know you’re the A team, we all know you need to get paid, but come on Tyson, shut up, pull yourself together and stop these ridiculous outbursts. We need fewer words and more action.

He’s the best heavyweight we’ve seen in 20 years, someone who raised the bar, opened up the division, scattered belts and battled against odds.

But his biggest fight now is the fight of the cops.

Carry on being the statesman and leader of boxing’s blue riband division, because right now, Tyson, your conduct is an embarrassment to you and the sport.