Harford vows to overcome ten point penalty

Club could face more points misery

Luton boss Mick Harford reckons the club will use the points deduction as a spur to success.

The Hatters were hit by £50,000 and docked 10 points for the 2008/09 season yesterday by an FA Regulatory Committee over 15 breaches of transfer regulations.

And they could face further penalties when they meet the Football League on Monday over exiting administration. Last season Leeds were hit by a 15 point deduction after a similar meeting.

But Harford remains upbeat, with new owners LTFC2020 set to complete their takeover when the club comes out of administration - and he insists the club will appeal the sanction.

He told Sky Sports News: "As a football club now we will take on the chin what's thrown at us, it'll galvanise us, make us stronger and move forward.

"It's going to affect us absolutely in terms of recruitment, in terms of starting the league with minus 10.

"We have a board meeting on June 9 with the FL where hopefully we'll be coming out of administration, they will obviously look at our situation and they may impose another penalty on us.

"We're at the mercy of the Football League at the moment."

LTFC2020 also insisted the sanction would have no bearing on their impending takeover.

In a statement, they said: "We would like to reiterate that these findings relate only to past directors of the club and not anyone related to, or part of LTFC2020, who have a completely new vision for the club and a policy of openness, transparency and honesty.

"This decision makes no difference to our commitment being the next custodians of the club and all of us are completely behind the plans we have previously placed in front of fans."

As well as the sanction to the club, former chairman Bill Tomlins was fined £15,000 and banned from all football activity for five years, former financial director Derek Peter was fined £3,750 and banned for a year.

Former directors Richard Bagehot and John Mitchell were both hit with fines, while six agents were warned as to their future conduct.

¹ Luton may appeal against the punishment - watch our latest video report here

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