16 Apr 2009

A display of spirit, passion and skill was summed up by the infectious local lad Keith Keane, who covered every blade of Wembley grass and admitted he covered a fair few pints of beer afterwards too.

Keane, who was many fans’ man of the match, simply ran himself into the ground in one of the best individual performances seen at a Wembley final.

He said: “Winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final was the best day of footballing career. Definitely.

“I was lucky to have one of my better games as well. It was the best game I have ever played in the middle of the park for Luton Town.”

Keane revealed that there was some celebratory sherbets to be had after the dust settled on the 3-2 win against Scunthorpe.

“The plan was to get pretty ratted to be honest. But the lads deserved it. We played as a team and we worked so hard for each other.”

Ed Asafu-Adjaye’s performance at the heart of Luton’s defence drew more praise from the pundits, which was all the more impressive considering he was unsure of his starting place beforehand.

Ed, just 20, shackled Scunthorpe’s potent strike force of Hayes and Hooper manfully, and said it was a dream to be involved.

“To give something back to our fans, who are magnificent, was great. It was so nice to see so many of them – it was like a home game.

“I never thought I would be a Wembley winner at the age of 20. Something special has been achieved this season now, and I hope that we can carry this on.”

Ed said the days leading up to the final were more nerve-wracking than the game itself.

“I didn’t know if I would be playing, so the two or three days before the team was announced was the most nerve wracking of the lot.

“When I knew I was playing, I could prepare for the game.”

The Hatters full back is affectionately known as Prince by his team mates, because the Asafu-Adjaye family is as good as royalty back in Ghana.

Ed’s uncle has carried out tireless good work in the country for many years, while his grandfather was high commissioner for Ghana as well.

Ed added: “Dad told me that a lot of people were watching the final back in Ghana. I know they saw the Brighton area final on TV, so it sounds like they were watching again.

“I haven’t checked my phone, but I hope there are messages galore for me!”

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