Colchester's Aussie defender Chris Coyne is saddened to see Luton's Football League status now threatened. Coyne is a former Hatters captain and said: "It is really sad to see.

"When I first went there the club was heading in the right direction and everyone was pulling in the right way but unfortunately due to things in the boardroom and dodgy dealings with agents it has damaged the club.

Coyne captained Luton to promotion to the Championship in 2004/05, where they finished just outside the playoffs. However, the sale of the club's best players saw the team struggle and triggered their dramatic slide down the divisions.

"They are a really, really good club, they have great support and it is hard to believe they will be playing Conference football next year, considering we were playing and almost beating Liverpool in the FA Cup less than three years ago," he said. "It's not good to see such a good football club go downhill but I think the worst is behind them now and they can rebuild and get back into the league."