Welcome to Tier 4 Luton Town Ladies!

Photography by @Duncanjackphoto

After narrowly missing out on promotion last season to Real Bedford by just six points, Luton Town Ladies have bounced back in style, clinching the Eastern Region Women’s Football Premier Division title. With promotion to the National League now secured, it's the perfect time to take a closer look at what has been a remarkable season for the club. Completing a stunning double by winning both the league and the League Cup, they've firmly established themselves as a team to watch in next season’s Division One South East.

League form

Luton Town Ladies have written a remarkable chapter in club history this season, delivering a league campaign to remember in the ERWFL Premier Division. Boasting the best defensive record in the league for over a decade, conceding just 14 goals, the Hatters also celebrated a second consecutive unbeaten home season. At the heart of this defensive masterclass was captain Elly Wade, whose commanding presence earned her six Opposition Player of the Match awards, highlighting just how central she was to the team’s formidable back line and their dominant eight-point lead at the summit.

The season may have started with a stumble, a 3-2 defeat to Royston Town Women, but Luton quickly turned the tide. A hard-fought 1-0 win over promotion rivals Stevenage Women marked the beginning of an impressive 17-game unbeaten run in the league. While not always winning with wide margins, the Hatters showcased their resilience and winning mentality, grinding out vital results during a hectic March and April. Narrow but decisive 3-2 victories over Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers FC and Wroxham FC Women proved that, much like Chelsea in the WSL, this side knows how to win even when under pressure.

Goal-scoring was another area where the Hatters shone, ending the league campaign with a staggering +60 goal difference. Their attacking flair was on full display as they wrapped up their home fixtures with a resounding 8-1 triumph over Needham Market on May 4. That was followed by a commanding 6-1 victory against Watford Ladies Development on the final day, providing a fitting conclusion to a season defined by consistency, grit, and moments of sheer brilliance.

Cup form

Luton Town Ladies added a second piece of silverware to their stellar season by lifting the League Cup in convincing fashion, defeating Stevenage Women 3-0 in a dominant final performance. Alongside this, the Hatters also enjoyed an impressive run in the Women’s FA Cup, reaching the third round. Their journey began with an emphatic 11-1 victory over Chigwell Ladies in the second qualifying round, followed by a composed 2-0 win against St Albans in the third qualifying round. Progressing through the First Round Proper, Luton overcame Hutton FC Women 4-2 before facing familiar foes Stevenage in the Second Round. In a dramatic encounter that ended level, the Hatters triumphed in a marathon penalty shootout, winning 15-14 to advance. Although their cup run ended with a 5-0 loss to Championship side Portsmouth, the experience of facing higher-tier opposition will provide invaluable lessons for a team on the rise.

Their County cup campaign saw them progress to the Bedfordshire Senior Cup final where they faced local rivals Real Bedford. Despite a 5-0 defeat, the final served as a benchmark for the level of competition they can expect as they prepare to step into the FA Women’s National League Division One South East. The result, while humbling, only adds fuel to a squad ready to test itself at the next level.

Standout Players and Big Signings

Arriving in the Summer of 2024 from Real Bedford for her second spell at the club, Natasha Fensome has continued her prolific form in front of goal as she has scored in nearly every league game this season for the Hatters, being nothing short of a goal-scoring powerhouse. With an incredible 32 goals in 33 appearances, she stands as Luton’s top scorer and ranks second overall in the league this season. Her ability to find the net with ease is evident in dominant performances like her four-goal hauls against Needham Market FC and Chigwell. However Fensome also thrives in high-pressure situations. From securing a narrow 1-0 win over Enfield Town to helping clinch thrilling 3-2 victories against Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers FC and Wroxham FC Women, she consistently delivers when it matters most. Not only has Fensome proved she can score goals, she has also shown she assist them too rallying up a tally of 15 assists across the season in all competitions. Fensome has proven time and again she can rise to the occasion and as Luton make their return to the National League spotlight, she’s undoubtedly a player to watch.

After bursting onto the scene last year with two goals in the FA Cup, 16-year-old Gabriella Spillman has continued to impress in her second season with the Hatters. With lightning pace and quick feet, she has made a significant impact on the pitch, contributing seven goals and seven assists in the league. Her performances have earned her a dual-registration signing with Crystal Palace Under-21s, a testament to her potential and growing reputation. Set to leave the club this year as she prepares to begin university, Spillman’s time at Luton may be coming to an end, but her legacy as one of the brightest young talents to emerge from the squad will certainly remain.

Another standout youngster this season has been midfielder Amber Leighton, whose intelligence on the ball and vision beyond her years have made her a key part of Luton’s engine room. Known for her creativity and ability to dissect defences with pinpoint passing, Leighton has registered eight assists and eight goals in all competitions. Her standout moments include a sensational hat-trick against Haringey Borough Women in November and a crucial goal to send the FA Cup 2nd Round tie against Stevenage Women to penalties. She also picked up the Player of the Match award in the Second Qualifying round of the FA Cup against Chigwell Ladies FC. Cementing her reputation as a young player full of creativity and capable of changing games in an instant, we look forward to seeing what Leighton can produce in the FAWNL.

One of the club’s most important additions in 2025 has been experienced midfielder Stefania Paci, who joined in March after spells with Stevenage, Hashtag United, London Bees and Millwall. While she has only made seven appearances so far, her composure, leadership, and know-how have already added a layer of depth and stability to the midfield. As Luton prepare for the challenges of National League football next season, Paci is expected to play a vital role in helping the team stay competitive.

Club as a whole

In September 2024, Luton Town Women took a major step forward in their development by signing a new agreement with the men’s team, aimed at strengthening the professional structure of the women’s side. The partnership marked a significant shift towards greater support and investment, offering access to club staff, improved training infrastructure, and enhanced organisational resources. As part of the agreement, the semi-professional team also gained the opportunity to host select home fixtures at Kenilworth Road, providing players with a platform worthy of their ambitions and a boost in visibility for the growing fanbase. This collaboration reflects the club’s long-term commitment to elevating the women's game and ensuring sustainable growth both on and off the pitch.

Can they follow in Real Bedford's footsteps of back-to-back promotion to Tier 3? Follow Luton Ladies next season in their bed to cement themselves as a team to watch in the Division One South East!