Blackwell to leave Luton

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The former Leeds boss revealed in a statement he and coaches John Carver and Sam Ellis are all to quit the club after the home match with Bournemouth next month.

Luton were docked 10 points in November after going into administration and Blackwell has seen defender Chris Coyne sold to Colchester by administrators this week, with midfielder David Edwards on the verge of a move to Wolves.

In a statement, Blackwell said: "We (Blackwell, Carver and Ellis) came to Luton in the spring with a clear mission and it revolved around ambition, adequate investment for growth and real promise of a new stadium.

"Very quickly we found out that Luton Town Football Club did not do what it said on the tin.

"We have ended up managing a squad of players who do not know if they are being paid or have a future with the football club. This is becoming more relevant as we speak.

"We have lost one match in 13 and last weekend astounded the footballing world with the quality and spirit of our display in holding Liverpool to a draw.

"It is not our role or intention to blame anybody for the state the club are in but we have face reality for ourselves.

"It is now our belief that no possible future scenario for this club can match in any way shape or form what we came here to do. We are therefore announcing that we are leaving Luton Town Football Club.

"Ironically we no longer have contracts that would require us to give notice but we are acutely aware that just to walk away would simply add to the short-term problems. We will therefore continue work under our basic terms and conditions for approximately one month, leaving the club after home game against Bournemouth on February 9."