Home for the Hatters - The Victorian Years | Sporting venues, Dallow Road, Teams and groups, Sport

The Luton Town Football Club, known as the “Hatters”, reflects Luton’s historical connection with the hat making trade. Founded in 1885, finds its first home between Dunstale Road and Dallow Lane.

Photo 1 – Wanders Ground Location

Dallow Lane – The First Ground

The first illustration shows the Dallow Lane ground from 1884 to 1887. The pitch nearest to Dunstable Road belonged to Excelsior from 1879 until 1885, then Luton Town from 1885 until 1897. The other pitch belonged to Wanderers from 1884 until 1887. The ends were known as the railway/gasworks end and the Dallow Lane/Workhouse end. The illustrations are not to scale.

The First Pavillion

Photo 2 – the first stand, pictured 1957

After the demise of Wanderers in the spring of 1887, Luton Town had more flexibility in the meadow. A Pavilion was built in the summer and autumn of 1890 and paid for by the brewer , J.W. Green, at a cost of £50. The Pavilion held spectators on the upper tier with changing rooms and a refreshment stall at ground level. The photo below is of the pavilion, taken in 1957.

General Sports Venue with Grandstand

The site was levelled in 1890 with cinder paths laid for the crowds who could watch cricket, athletics and cycling. It was also the premier venue in the town for fairs, concerts, dog shows and other events. In December 1893 a grandstand was built in addition.

First Photo of Luton Fans

Photo 3 – Grandstand and Luton fans – 1894

The grandstand could hold 400 people and below is the only photograph we have of it.
I found this photo in pieces at Wardown Park Museum when working as a volunteer. They allowed me to take it away and restore it. This is the first known photo of Luton fans and you can just see the outline of the Workhouse in the background.

The pitch in 1894 was 120 yards long by 70 yards wide. With the railway line and Dallow Lane so close, the pitch just fitted the site.

The aerial photo (2017) below shows my best estimate of where the pitch was positioned from 1894.