You’ll always remember that first time, and you’ll probably remember the last time.
The ones in between… sure you can recall a few of the good ones. Hell, maybe even a few of the horrible ones, too.
Your debut might have been with your dad. The last time maybe with one of your children. Those 10/100/1000 in between could have been the ones with your mates, perhaps. They’re the hazy ones. All of a bit of blur with dashes of orange, blue and white.
Peering past pillars.
Stamping your feet on the main stand floorboards in the cold when we won a corner.
Shouting “no way, lino!” from the enclosure (which we do not condone!).
Saying hi to the guy you’ve sat next to for 22 years but never known his name.
You’ll show pictures of the place to the uninitiated, and they’ll look back at you with the face you’ve seen a thousand times.
But it’s a place where you know every nook and cranny, know the best time to nip to the loo and, there, you’ll instinctively be able to tell what’s going on by just listening to the sound of the crowd while you finish your business.
All of this, by the way, is just the tip of the iceberg.
Because it’s Kenilworth Road.
And it’s a place called home.
Something’s brewing
Home certainly has been a place of sanctuary for Jack Wilshere and the Hatters class of 2025/26.
On Saturday the Hatters, unbeaten in 10 League One fixtures (W6, D4) at Kenilworth Road, aim to bounce back to winning ways after back-to-back away defeats when they take on the challenge of Burton Albion.
The Brewers are fighting for the points for a different reason. Tuesday night’s win over Rotherham was Gary Bowyer’s side’s second in 10 games, a run that had seen them lose six of their previous nine. Crucially, the win over the Millers lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Those three points came just days after they took Premier League West Ham to extra-time in the FA Cup. For anyone who watched it in its entirety, or the highlights, will know Burton made life hard for the Hammers. And we’re expecting nothing less at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
Like the Town, the Brewers are out of form on the road. Despite wins at Brackley and Boreham Wood in the FA Cup, it’s seven away games without a win (D2, L5) in the league.
But don’t let those numbers lure you into a false sense of security: Burton’s past two away league victories have come at Bradford and Cardiff. We have been warned.
Haven’t we met before?
So, there’s this website. Hatters Heritage. You might have heard of it. Got information and line-ups of every single game we’ve ever played. Scans of every programme and photos of every player, too. What a website and what work from an unsung team of Hatters heroes.
Visiting their website will give you the complete record of all our meetings with the Brewers – all five. But don’t let the lack of Luton v Burton fixtures prevent you from going down a Hatters Heritage rabbit hole. A few clicks and you’ll be remembering Nathan Oduwa in next to no time.
August’s win at the Pirelli was our first at their place and our last meeting at Kenilworth Road also ended victorious when Jack Stacey and James Collins were on the scoresheet in December 2018.
Played for both
You’ve got to love a left-back, right? Alfie Doughty? Sol Davis? Matt Taylor? Yes even you Scott Griffiths! James Justin played there, too. And don’t forget Dan Potts, either – his last kick for us was our last penalty in the play-off final.
Yet probably one our greatest players to don the number 3 shirt (before squad numbers, okay) was signed from Burton back in 1974
Steve Buckley was signed by Town boss Harry Haslam from the Brewers, and soon his cultured left foot and surging runs down the wing became a feature of the Hatters' play back in the day.
He was a virtual ever-present in the Town side until a big old sum of £165,000 from Derby in January 1978 was too good to turn down.
He became just as popular at Derby, enjoying eight consistent years with the Rams and was twice named their player of the year.
In charge
Sebastian Stockbridge has the whistle for this one. He oversaw our 3-1 defeat at Lincoln earlier this season. Whether you believe in this stuff or not, that was our first defeat in 13 when Mr Stockbridge was officiating in our games.
On this day
Saturday will be our first home game on this day since a 2009 win over Shrewsbury (thank you Tom Craddock, Sam Parkin and Asa Hall for your goals in a 3-1 win).
Two years ago to the day we were leading 1-0 at Anfield thanks to Chiedozie Ogbene’s first-half header at The Kop end but the Reds roared back, the noise was deafening and Liverpool ran out 4-1 winners.
If you had told the 70 or so Hatters fans that made up the never-ending Tuesday night trip to Barrow in 2012 that we’d lead at Anfield in the top-flight 12 years later we’re not sure what the response would be. On a dark, miserable and forgettable evening, Gary Brabin’s side went down 1-0 at Holker Street.
Honourable mentions on this day for a 4-1 home win over Brentford (an Enoch Shownunmi hat-trick), a 1-1 midweek draw at Derby (Dwight Marshall on target) in 1996 and a 4-3 top-flight win over Leicester at Kenilworth Road in 1959.
Team news
Midfielder Liam Walsh is back in contention for a place in the squad having missed the last four games through illness and a shoulder problem. Hakeem Odoffin is also back in training but is unlikely to be thrown straight in against the Brewers. New signing Sverre Sandal has picked up a minor knock in training so will have to wait for his debut in Town colours.
Jack’s presser
Watch the manager’s press conference on LTFC+ as he talks about personnel, the Brewers and the difference between the home and away form. All 30 minutes and 43 seconds are here for all to see for free without any logging in faff. Enjoy.
Tickets, please
It’s category B prices for Burton on Saturday. Buying said ticket couldn’t be easier, either. Head to our online ticketing platform, choose when you’d like to sit and download the tickets to your phone.
Get well soon to the goat GOAT
We’d like to advise supporters that catering legend Norm is currently recovering from illness, and will not be serving his usual Caribbean dishes at tomorrow’s match.
His unit will be open tomorrow with other food and beverages available as a one-off, but everyone at Kenilworth Road wishes Norm a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him and his smile back at home games very soon.
We’re all thinking of you, Norm!
Football for Everyone, Hate for No One
We will be proud to be playing with the EFL Puma Rainbow Ball during Saturday’s game – a symbol of solidarity with LGBTQ+ supporters and reflecting the ongoing commitment to ensuring football remains a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for every fan, in every stadium.
Our very own LGBTQ+ supporters’ group is Rainbow Hatters, run by chair David Stronell.
“The Rainbow Hatters are still working hard to establish ourselves and be recognised as we create a safe and welcoming space online, and can share time before, during and after matches to talk all things football,” says David.
“Our aim is to grow the group that starts conversations, builds allies and shows that inclusion is making football a space for everyone. The EFL’s Rainbow Ball weekend cements that important message and as a supporter group still trying to find its feet, it’s a reminder of why we exist and why our presence matters.”
If you would like to join Rainbow Hatters, please email ltfcrainbowhatters@gmail.com.
Tune in, turn on.
Simon Pitts will be, as ever, on the mic on LTFC+ to deliver unrivalled partisan commentary at its finest on Saturday.
If you’re overseas and want to watch, it’s £10. Just want audio? It’s available anywhere, and it’s just £2.50 for the pleasure. Clicking here gives you those possibilities.
If you are an ex-pat overseas, take advantage of the half-season Global Hatters subscription which is now just £150. All the details are right here.
You can also follow our social media channels for live updates as they happen, plus photos and behind-the-scenes content during the 90 minutes. Stay on lutontown.co.uk post-match for a full report, post-match reaction and the all-important highlights.
And finally...don’t be THAT fan.
A reminder to all supporters, no matter who you are, how old or who you’re supporting, to go about your day with respect. We continue to support the Love Football, Protect the Game campaign.
Luton Town Football Club has committed in its customer charter to providing safe match-day experiences for all supporters regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation, and this applies equally to home and away fixtures.
In the event that any Luton supporters do make discriminatory chants, the Club will work with the police and football authorities to help identify such individuals. Any such fans would then face the strictest club sanctions, including football banning orders that would prevent them attending any matches, in addition to any criminal charges.
Furthermore, we would like to warn against pitch incursions and the use of pyrotechnics or missiles – including any type of object that is thrown onto the pitch during a match – which could lead to potential prosecution.
The Club can also be held responsible for the behaviour of its supporters, which could lead to substantial fines being imposed.
As a diverse and inclusive football club, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow EFL clubs in supporting the FA’s ‘Love Football. Protect the Game’ campaign and call on all fans to enjoy the game in a positive spirit.
If you are offended by any discriminatory abuse of any kind at any of our games, you can report it by clicking HERE, or by contacting your nearest steward immediately.
Alternatively, email myvoice@lutontown.co.uk or report the incident via Kick it Out's free, confidential reporting app on the App Store and Google Play.
We're all Luton.
Come on Luton!
