Town have confirmed the £150,000 signing of Luton midfielder Andy Drury on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Drury could make his debut when Town face manager Paul Jewell’s former club Derby at Pride Park on Tuesday.
Speaking at lunchtime before the formalities had been completed, the Town manager said: "It’s not quite done yet but we’re hoping it’s going to get finished off so we can have him in the squad for tomorrow.
"It might not get people jumping off their seats, but I think it’s important not to dismiss the Conference. Look at how well Crawley Town are doing, they’ve knocked a couple of league teams out of the FA Cup.
"There’s talent out there, it’s sometimes about giving someone a break, Steve Morison played at Stevenage, George Boyd as well. Plenty of players have made the transition and we’re hoping Andy can do that as well.”
Jewell, who says he first spotted deadball expert Drury when he was playing for Stevenage, confirmed that the 27-year-old had a clause in his Luton contract which meant that he could leave if the Hatters received a bid of £150,000.
Luton managing director Gary Sweet says his club is disappointed to lose the player they signed on a free transfer from Stevenage in the summer: "Even though his services have been rather short-lived as a Hatter, 'Dukes' has endeared himself to the Luton faithful with his exceptional skills.
"Such talent appearing in the, so-called, non-league is simply unimaginable and once Andy found a club that showcased his creativity a move to the Championship was inevitable. "It has never been Luton Town's policy to stand in a player's progression, as long as we have been able to improve the squad during the process. "Last summer, when he signed for Luton Town, few knew anything specific of Andy. Yet, six months later, we have had the valuable services of a Championship player who has attracted a transfer fee for the club which has more than covered the fees paid out for Alex Lawless, Jason Walker, Amari Morgan-Smith, Charlie Henry and Robbie Willmott, put together. "We'll miss Andy and, whilst we're confident we have replaced what he has contributed more than sufficiently, his colleagues wish him the very best of luck at Ipswich." Drury began his career with hometown club Sittingbourne before joining Gravesend and Northfleet, the side now known as Ebbsfleet, in 2003. Comfortable all across the midfield and occasionally operating as a striker, Drury spent three years with the Kent club before moving on to Lewes in 2006 and in 2007/08 helped the Rooks to the Conference South title. In the summer of 2008 he joined Stevenage and in his first season at Broadhall Way was in the side which won the FA Trophy and reached the Blue Square Bet Premier play-offs. Last year, Drury and Stevenage finally secured promotion to the Football League, winning the division but losing the final of the FA Trophy to Barrow. In the summer, the 5ft 11in tall Drury eschewed the lure of League Two football to join Luton on a free transfer and he enjoyed a fine half-season with the Hatters, scoring eight goals in 26 games. Blues boss Jewell says he doesn’t expect any further moves in or out today: "You never say never, but we’re just about to jump on a bus to Derby, so I wouldn’t have thought so. "We tried to get a few players in, tried to add to the squad and we’ve some success with Andy and Jimmy and we’ve had some near misses. I wanted to add to the squad and I didn’t really want anybody to go.” Photo: ITFCWhat to read next:
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Town defender Leif Davis says he fully understands supporters’ frustrations after the Blues lost further ground on the Championship’s top two following a 5-3 defeat to Wrexham on Saturday.
Highlights of yesterday’s 5-3 defeat at Wrexham.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson praised the magnitude of his team’s effort and commitment following their 5-3 victory over the Blues at the Racecourse Ground.
Town defender Leif Davis revealed there were some home truths said in the dressing room following the Blues’ 5-3 defeat to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.
Town boss Kieran McKenna felt mistakes on a team and individual level led to his side conceding five times as they were beaten 5-3 at Wrexham.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Town tasted defeat at the Racecourse Ground for the second time in eight days as they were defeated 5-3 by Wrexham having been 3-2 in front. The Blues went behind twice in the first half to goals from ex-Blues striker Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass, but Anis Mehmeti and Ivan Azon levelled to make the scoreline 2-2 at half-time. Cedric Kipre smashed a brilliant strike to make it 3-2 soon after the break but George Thomason, Callum Doyle and ex-Town forward Nathan Broadhead netted without reply to take the points for the Red Dragons.
Anis Mehmeti and Ivan Azon twice equalised for Town as the Blues and Wrexham went in level at 2-2 at half-time at the Recreation Ground.
Town boss Kieran McKenna has returned to the team which won 2-1 at Derby County in the Championship a fortnight ago for this afternoon’s game at Wrexham with Wes Burns back in the XI following his groin injury.