MK Dons and Luton Town are only 20 miles apart, yet they have barely played each other. The last time MK Dons hosted Luton was in November 2004 at the former National Hockey Stadium. Differing promotions and relegations meant their paths had not crossed until Saturday's League One game at Stadium MK (12:30 BST).
This is not a rivalry on the scale of Luton's deep-seated hatred of Watford. For some Luton fans, though, resentment towards MK Dons runs deep. Many remain angry about the controversial move of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003, which they saw as a so-called 'franchise team' encroaching on their own backyard and a betrayal of a club and its community. "I don't dislike Milton Keynes, I dislike what they stand for," said Luton fan Mike Fanning. "They're a franchise and that's not what football is about."
Luton came close to a similar fate in the 1980s. The club was in financial strife, and serious proposals to move to Milton Keynes and become 'MK Hatters' were initially approved by the Football League in 1983. Then chairman Denis Mortimer believed the move could attract new fans. However, a huge backlash from supporters, who marched, protested and signed a petition, eventually led to the plans being scrapped.
Fan John Pyper recalled boycotting games during that fight and said he was upset when a club was taken to Milton Keynes in the end. Fanning, who was at school during the demonstrations, said, "We are still in existence because of those loyal people who protested and marched." With many of those fans still attending games, the wounds remain raw, and Saturday is expected to be an emotional occasion.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing