October 2011

But for many supporters inside Wembley on that glorious April afternoon, Martin’s heroics for the Hatters were something of a shock, not least the players of high flying Scunthorpe United, who were expected to stroll to victory.

After dangerman Gary Hooper had put Iron with 15 minutes gone, everything was going to script, until that man Martin leveled on the half hour mark.

His two-touch finish wasn’t quite worthy of inclusion into the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy’s team of five finals on its own, but his all round performance certainly was.

In front of 44,000 screaming Luton Town fans, he dragged his team level and give his side genuine belief that the unlikely could be achieved.

From then on, he proved a constant menace and was well worthy of his winners’ medal.

That he returned to parent club Norwich City and propelled them to two promotions in two seasons says more about his ability than we can.

Martin had always been a one man club before his loan move to Kenilworth Road, which punctuated a six year stint at the Canaries who he now plays for in the Premier League.

Martin joined Luton Town on a season-long loan from Norwich City two days prior to the start of the 2008/09 season.

He was announced as one of a number of new signings made by manager Mick Harford following The Hatters' exit from administration, along with fellow Norwich player Michael Spillane, who also arrived on a season-long loan.

He finished the season as Luton's top goalscorer, with 13 goals in 51 appearances, 11 goals of which came in the league. His trophy goal was also voted as the Hatters’ goal of the season.

The striker rejoined Norwich after Norwich City’s relegation to League One.

Newly installed manager Paul Lambert began to start with Martin again and he scored his first goal of the season away to MK dons after just 16 seconds. Martin finished the 2009/10 season with 23 goals in 48 appearances, including the winning goal against Leeds United at Carrow Road which left the Canaries on the brink of an instant return to the Championship.

After another impressive season in the Championship, he can now be found at Premier League football grounds everywhere, showing the same skills that the trophy first noticed back in 2009.

Johnstone’s. Bringing colour to the beautiful game.