Milton Keynes Dons face Luton Town at Stadium MK on Saturday in the first league meeting between the clubs in Milton Keynes for 22 years. The 12:30 BST kick-off revives a rivalry steeped in the controversial history of football relocation, with Luton supporters divided over attending the fixture.
The last time MK Dons hosted Luton Town was in November 2004 at the club's former National Hockey Stadium home. That season, Luton won both league encounters. The fixture's return follows MK Dons' 2-1 victory over Luton just days ago, a result that moved the Dons to 18th in League One with 9 points from 9 games.
A history of resistance and relocation
The match brings to the surface a deep-seated history. In 1983, the Football League approved a concept to move Luton Town approximately 20 miles to Milton Keynes, where they would have been renamed the 'MK Hatters'. The then chairman, Denis Mortimer, believed the move could attract new fans. A huge backlash from Luton supporters, including marches, protests and petitions with thousands of signatures, led to the plans being scrapped. However, the move of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003 created the club Luton fans had fought against.
Luton fan Mike Fanning articulated the enduring sentiment. "I don't dislike Milton Keynes, I dislike what they stand for," he said. "They're a franchise and that's not what football is about."
Fans divided on whether to attend
This history continues to shape fan behaviour. The Loyal Luton Supporters group committee, represented by Kevin Rouse, stated it will not attend the game. "As a committee we will not go. It burns very deep and we will not recognise them (MK Dons)," Rouse said. Despite this, more than 6,000 Luton fans are expected at Stadium MK.
Longtime MK Dons supporter Jon Scudamore, who attended the 2004 meeting, understands the lingering feelings. "MK Dons have had this directed at us for 22 years," Scudamore said. He regularly attends games with his family and believes the club has borne the brunt of fan anger for over two decades.
Managerial perspective on the past
MK Dons head coach Paul Warne has taken steps to educate his current squad on the club's origins, recently giving a presentation because some players were unaware of the history. "I don't think anything that happened 20-odd years ago has anything to do with my players," Warne stated. He views the large away following as a positive, believing it will spur a great atmosphere as home fans respond.
The Dons go into the match with mixed recent form, their last five results reading WLWWD. They followed a heavy 5-1 home defeat to Reading with that important 2-1 win over Luton, where goals from Alex Gilbey and a late Aaron Collins penalty secured the points. The team has scored 11 goals this season but conceded 16, leaving them with a -5 goal difference and 11 points behind league leaders Bradford.
After this historic clash, attention turns to the next league fixture. Milton Keynes Dons travel to face Blackpool, who sit 20th, on Tuesday, 20 October.
More detail at bbc.com
