Soccer-Luton complete fairytale rise from dark days of fifth tier to Premier League

Soccer Football - Championship Play-Off Final - Coventry City v Luton Town - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 27, 2023 Luton Town CEO Gary Sweet celebrates with the trophy after Luton Town won the Championship Play-Off Final REUTERS/Carl Recine

(Reuters) - Luton Town's promotion bid hit a speed bump when Southampton prised away their beloved manager Nathan Jones earlier this season, but they have now returned the favour by taking the south-coast club's place in the Premier League.

Jones had led Luton to automatic promotion from League Two and even a Championship playoff semi-final in two spells but left in November when they were ninth, leaving Luton in a predicament.