We'll recover from points deduction and copy Leeds, says Luton boss Harford

The Hatters were fined £50,000 and docked 10 points for the 2008/09 season yesterday by an FA Regulatory Committee over 15 breaches of transfer regulations.

They are facing a meeting with the Football League on Monday where they hope to
come out of administration.

Copycat: Luton manager Mick Harford says Leeds have given his side inspiration.

However, that could come at further cost to Harford's side next season as they could have another 15 points deducted - much as Leeds did last season.

But Harford remains upbeat over the future of the club, with new owners LTFC2020 set to complete their takeover when the club comes out of administration - and he insists the club will appeal the sanction.

He told Sky Sports News: "It will go to appeal I'm sure. I've spoken to the guys at the football club, the 2020 lads, and we will appeal it.

"As a football club now we will take on the chin what's thrown at us, it'll galvanise us, make us stronger and move forward.

"It's going affect us absolutely in terms of recruitment, in terms of starting the league with minus 10.

"We have a board meeting on June 9 with the FL where hopefully we'll be coming out of administration, they will obviously look at our situation and they may impose another penalty on us.

"We're at the mercy of the Football League at the moment."

Harford, who took over from Kevin Blackwell in January, was unable to prevent the club from being relegated to Coca-Cola League Two last season, but he is keen to use Leeds as an inspiration next year.

United were docked 15 points in August last year over their exit from administration but fought their way into the play-offs, only to lose to Doncaster in the final at Wembley last month.

And Harford added: "Leeds were a credit last season, they did fantastically well and were unfortunate not to get promotion and that's the mark we'll have to start with next season and they'll be an example to everyone."

LTFC2020 also insisted the sanction would have no bearing on their impending takeover.

"This decision makes no difference to our commitment being the next custodians of the club and all of us are completely behind the plans we have previously placed in front of fans, they said in a statement.

As well as the sanction to the club, former chairman Bill Tomlins was fined £15,000 and banned from all football activity for five years, former financial director Derek Peter was fined £3,750 and banned for a year.

Former directors Richard Bagehot and John Mitchell were both hit with fines, while six agents were warned as to their future conduct.