On This Day – 14th May
One of the most memorable football moments of the 1980s took place on this day in 1983 as Luton manager David Pleat ran onto the pitch at Maine Road to celebrate a famous victory over Manchester City.
A second half goal from Serbian Raddi Antic gave Luton the win that they needed to secure a place in the First Division the following season. The defeat sent Manchester City down to the Second Division.
The match was effectively a relegation play off. Luton had to win the game, but if it ended in a draw then City would stay up and Luton would get relegated. In the end, it was Luton who stayed up thanks to a winner from Antic with just four minutes of the game left.
When the final whistle was blown and City’s fate was sealed, Pleat ran onto the pitch. With his arms raised above his head, he skipped with joy as he ran to celebrate with his players.
Luton would spend the next nine seasons in the First Division, before getting relegated at the end of the 1991/92 season. Manchester City returned to the First Division in 1985 and stayed in the top flight for two seasons before going back down to the Second Division, where they spent two seasons before being promoted to the top tier in 1989.
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