He joined Luton Town on trial in January 2002, but manager Joe Kinnear decided that Hardy was too small for the Third Division. With ten appearances to his name in 2001–02, he left Vale in April 2002. In November that year had a trial with Mansfield Town.
In January 2002, Hardy joined Luton Town on a trial but was found unsuitable for the Third Division by manager Joe Kinnear. He made ten appearances in 2001–02 and left Vale in April of that year. In November, he had a trial with Mansfield Town.