Luton Town

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Luton Town head coach Jack Wilshere said his side must improve their results away from home if they are to secure a place in the promotion play-offs.

The Hatters, who make a 500-mile round trip to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday (12:30 GMT), last won on the road in November.

They are currently seventh in League One - but only outside the top six on goal difference - and could have loan signing Kasey Palmer in the side for the first time.

"I went there last year with Norwich and I always feel because of the journey, there is an advantage there [for Plymouth] - it's not an excuse, and we can't use that, but we know going down there to expect we're going to be in a game from minute one," Wilshere told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Our last away win was Stockport - we have to improve that, hopefully starting tomorrow."

The former Arsenal and England midfielder said he had "a lot of respect" for Plymouth boss Tom Cleverley, as they have been on a similar career path.

"He took the number one [role at Watford] at a young age and it was probably a little bit harsh to lose the job there.

"Then to dive straight back in again - he's a Manchester boy but took the opportunity to go to Plymouth which is a long way from everything he knows - he's really hungry to be successful.

"We always chat, me and Tom, and it's quite nice when you're two young coaches starting a journey, that you share your experiences and how you feel - but we want to beat him tomorrow."

Woking have signed midfielder Joe Gbode on loan from Luton Town until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old former Gillingham player joined the Hatters last summer and has made eight appearances for the League One club.

Image source, Shutterstock

All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

Image source, BBC Sport

Hull City midfielder Kasey Palmer is in talks with League One Luton Town over a loan move until the end of the season. The Jamaican international, 29, has made nine league appearances for the Tigers this season. (Hull Live), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Check out Tuesday's gossip column here

Portsmouth are in advanced talks to sign Luton forward Millenic Alli. (Football League World), external

He only joined The Hatters in January 2025.

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Image source, Shutterstock

Luton Town have recalled defender Thomas Holmes from a season-long loan at League One rivals Rotherham United.

The 25-year-old played eight times for The Millers but his spell in South Yorkshire was interrupted by a knee injury which sidelined him for two months.

His final appearance was as a late substitute in Rotherham's 2-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

Holmes' most recent game for Luton was their 1-0 home win over Wigan Athletic back in August.

Luton Town midfielder Liam Walsh believes making Kenilworth Road a "fortress" has been a key factor in their climb up the League One table.

Saturday's 2-1 win over Stevenage made it 10 home games unbeaten in all competitions and put the Hatters just one place and one point off the play-off places.

"We went 1-0 down to a decent side who are high up the league and it didn't faze us - we still kept creating stuff and for us to come back and win is a massive step," Walsh told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"We didn't play our best but we had the fans there with us and it shows what it can do to a side when they've got the fans behind them, pushing them on to go and get a win.

"We want teams to come here and not fancy themselves against us and just try to get away with a draw."

Gideon Kodua scored the winning goal for the Hatters and now has four goals in his past three games.

"He's flying at the minute - everything he hits seems to go in and when you've got players like that on the pitch, you just want to keep giving them the ball and let them do their stuff," added Walsh.

Luton have two more home games this week, against Swindon Town in the EFL Vertu Trophy last 16 on Tuesday and second-placed Lincoln City in the league on Saturday.