Luton Town Football Club

WHO? Exactly. Stanley – famous or infamous, depending on your take on it – for their appearance in an advert for milk in the late 1980s – are far from a club that nobody knows about anymore. In fact this season will be the Lancashire club’s 10th season back in the Football League following their Conference championship success of 2006/07. Back at the helm is legendary boss John Coleman.

WHERE? The ‘old’ or the ‘original’ Stanley – the club that collapsed and folded in 1966 – used to play their games at Peel Park, but these days the new club play their home fixtures at the 5,000-capacity Crown Ground. The venue is named after the Crown public house adjacent to the ground and it is well worth venturing in there for a pre-match pint and some home-cooked grub. 

TRAVEL NEWS. Accrington have informed us that a stretch of road en route to the ground is closed on Saturday which will effect some supporters' journey. The best route to take is the M6 and M65 - avoid taking the M66 and A56. We don't want you being late tomorrow!

WHAM! Forget this Crown Ground lark. Stanley recently announced a new ground sponsorship, and the game will be named the Wham Ground. And no, this is not a wind up, and it’s not 1st April.

HOW FAR? The Town had a 550-mile round-trip to begin last season with at Carlisle, and 12 months later the season kicks-off with the Hatters faithful making a 200-mile, three-and-half hour trip to Accrington to negotiate. 

BOB IT. As ever, the Bobbers Travel Club will be making the journeys up and down the motorways following the Hatters this season. For the trip to Accrington the Bobbers leave at 9am from the Luton rail station. Due to demand a third coach has been laid on. The fares are £29 for adults and £26 for concession. Book your place by calling 01234 856542. 

ON THE DAY. Over 1,100 Hatters fans have already snapped up tickets for the match at the Crown Ground and with another 900 terrace tickets available, supporters can pay on the day – subject to availability. For more information on tickets for this match click here. 

THE LAST TIME. The Hatters will be making their third trip to the Crown Ground. Last season, in August, the Town came from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Luke Rooney and Jake Howells on target. In the meeting at Kenilworth Road in February goals from Jayden Stockley and Luke Guttridge secured as the Hatters a 2-0 win. The Town, however, have not won at Accrington before, having previously drawn the other match at the Crown Ground 0-0 on a cold Tuesday night in 2009.

TOWN TEAM NEWS. Goalkeeper Elliot Justham is expected to start ahead of Mark Tyler at Accrington, but John Still has a host of options to choose from all over the park. Mark O’Brien, Paddy McCourt and Josh McQuoid are doubts but still could be involved. With 11 new signings made of the summer, a number of players could be handed their Luton debuts.

REF WATCH. Geoff Eltringham takes charge of the Town’s opening game of the season. Last term the County Durham-based official showed a total of 85 yellow cards and seven red cards in his 34 matches. The last time he took charge of a Luton game was the 1-0 win over Wolves in the FA Cup third round in January 2012.

LIVE AND ONLINE. Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season where will be bringing subscribers all the action from the Crown Ground. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself. Click here to subscribe for as little as 10p per day. 

GET SOCIAL. Remember to subscribe to our official YouTube channel for free, as well as checking out the official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, too, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #COYH