Long-serving Dearden departs Kenilworth Road
Luton Town have announced that five members of their backroom staff have departed the club, including former Brentford goalkeeper Kevin Dearden.
Luton Town have announced some staffing changes at Kenilworth Road - pic: Julian Finney/Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Luton Town have announced some staffing changes at Kenilworth Road - pic: Julian Finney/Getty Images
The 56-year-old, who was born in Luton, moved to Kenilworth Road midway through the club’s first season back in the EFL in December 2014, under then manager John Still, starting out initially as goalkeeper coach. The ex-Bees stopper, who racked up 400 appearances during a lengthy career with Brentford and Torquay United, having begun at Tottenham Hotspur, then had roles as head of goalkeeping and team operations manager up until last season, but has joined Clive Thompson, Michael Amoah, Chloe Golding and Yousuf Sajjad in departing Kenilworth Road.
A club statement said: “Luton Town Football Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to a number of staff who have recently departed Kenilworth Road, recognising their dedication and service to the club. Kevin Dearden joined his hometown club as Goalkeeper Coach under John Still in December 2014, midway through our first season back in the EFL.
“A former goalkeeper with Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford and Torquay United, Kev became a hugely popular figure at the club as he worked with the Town's keepers throughout our remarkable rise from League Two to the Premier League. He was appointed Head of Goalkeeping in 2019 before taking on the role of Team Operations Manager in the summer of 2023. As a proud Lutonian, Kev will always receive a warm welcome back at Kenilworth Road.
"We thank him wholeheartedly for the significant contribution he has made to the Hatters' journey over the past decade and wish him, and his family every success for the future. Also leaving the club is Kit and Equipment Manager Clive Thompson, along with Head of Physical Performance Michael Amoah, who arrived from Wycombe Wanderers last September, and First Team Analysis Assistant Chloe Golding.
Player Recruitment Manager Yousuf Sajjad, who joined the Hatters in September 2024, has also left the club to pursue other opportunities. Everyone at Luton Town Football Club thanks Kevin, Clive, Michael, Chloe and Yousuf, for their commitment, professionalism and contribution during their time at Kenilworth Road. Their efforts have helped support a memorable period in the club's history, including last season's EFL Trophy triumph at Wembley, and we wish each of them every success in the next chapter of their careers.
Once the news was made public, then Sajjad, who has seen Will Lancefield come in as head of recruitment this term after leaving Scottish Premier League side Hearts, wrote on his Instagram page: “12 years ago - aged 22, I accepted my first full time role in football. Prior, came years of work, sacrifice and pressure I put on myself for being one of very few South Asian, Pakistanis in the game with the hope to pave a way for more of us, pressure that I carry with me to this day, but with pride.
"From when I was offered my first role to now - there is genuine gratitude towards every single moment I have been able to experience and the people that I have been able to share those moments with. This very much includes my time at Luton, which has now come to an end. From the staff, to the players, I wish everyone nothing but success for the season. My journey continues elsewhere but I am looking forward to following as fan. Thank you.”
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