Hatters mad over Kinnear affair

Joe Kinnear is in talks about a shock return to Luton just a fortnight after being sacked by the club following their takeover by a mystery consortium.

Kinnear and first-team coach Mick Harford received letters of dismissal from the club on May 23, three days after the retirement of chairman Mike Watson-Challis.

But Luton are now blaming Northampton’s commercial director Peter Miller, who signed the letters while acting as a consultant for the consortium, for the pair’s sacking.

Harford has already been offered his old job back, while Luton have now confirmed that Kinnear could also be reinstated, although they remain committed to allowing supporters to choose who takes over in a telephone poll.

A statement from the club read: “The club regrets the actions of Mr Peter Miller, who on a brief visit to this club from Northampton Town, took it upon himself to dismiss the club’s manager and assistant manager.

“The club is doing its best to rectify this situation. It has offered Mick Harford a further one-year contract and is in discussion with Joe Kinnear about a possible return.

“The club is committed to the democratic process, however, and any return would have to be subject to selection through the polling system that is currently in place.

“Irretrievable harm has been done to this club by the actions of Mr Miller and we cannot comment further on this because of pending legal action.”

The Football League have already written to Luton requesting information about Miller’s involvement with the club because of a possible conflict of interests.

But Miller strongly denies this suggestion. He said in a statement: “Reluctantly I signed the letters, in the capacity of consultant.

“At all times both Luton Town and Northampton Town were fully aware, in writing, that as a consultant, I was advising both clubs.

“At no time was there ever any conflict of interest in any matter whatsoever. Since resigning as consultant to Luton Town Football Club I have been formally engaged as Commercial Director at Northampton Town Football Club.”

The news leaves the Hatters in turmoil, without a manager or chairman, and still to confirm whether property developer John Gurney is the man behind the takeover.

Angry protests from fans outside Kenilworth Road forced a rethink from prospective chairman Roger Terrell and his deputy Lee Power, who cut their ties with the club this week having had their cars pelted with missiles on their way into a board meeting.

Terrell had blamed Kinnear’s sacking on his high salary, reported to be the largest for any manager in Division Two, and whether the club can afford to reinstate him remains to be seen.

Luton have already cancelled a pre-season tour of Scotland because of the cost, while seven players were released this week.

But the club insist the decision to bring back the former Wimbledon manager now rests ultimately with their fans, who are being given the opportunity to choose the new manager in a phone vote.