Luton Town Football Club

WHO? Wycombe Wanderers, also known as the Chairboys. Wycombe were promoted to the Football League in 1993, having won the Conference, and have remained among the 92 clubs ever since. The Chairboys escaped relegation back to non-league football on the final day of last season with a win at Torquay. They survived on goal difference and Bristol Rovers were relegated. This season Wycombe are challenging for promotion. How’s that for a turnaround?

KENILWORTH WHAT? Last week we announced that Kenilworth Road will be renamed the Prostate Cancer UK Stadium, the Football League’s official charity. It’s a first in our history and the first time a Football League club have given their ground name over to a charity. Click here for further information.

TICKETS PLEASE! A big crowd is expected at the Prostate Cancer UK Stadium tonight but tickets are still available from the ticket office. Click here for admission details, or click here to buy tickets online.

SINCE WE’VE BEEN GONE. The season in which the Town were relegated from the Football League in 2009 saw Wycombe win promotion to League 1 following a third-placed finish. The Chairboys only lasted one season in the third tier and were relegated in 2009/10 but in the following season Wycombe finished third again and were promoted back to League 1. But guess what? In 2011/12 they were relegated immediately back to League 2 where they’ve stayed ever since.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? Overall the Hatters hold an excellent record against the Chairboys during the previous 18 meetings, winning eight to Wycombe’s two. Eight games – including the Boxing Day clash this season – have ended in draws. Wycombe supporters, however, will take heart from their decent record in the eight meetings at Kenilworth Road that has seen the Chairboys win twice. Their first ever win over the Town came in January 2001 in a game broadcast on Sky Sports in Division Two (now League 1). Adam Locke scored the Hatters’ goal but two Andy Rammell strikes won it for the visitors. That was Wycombe’s first win over the Town at the 10th attempt.

PLAYED FOR BOTH. Up until December Wanderers had two former Hatters in their midst in the shape of Kenilworth Road academy graduate Gary Doherty and Alfie Mawson – another centre-back who played 45 minutes of football for the Town last term while on loan from Brentford, but Doherty, now 34, retired from the game just before Christmas. Hatters striker Lee Angol, currently on loan at Boreham Wood, was on Wycombe books up until last season. Matthew Spring, Will Antwi, Dean Morgan, Scott Rendell, Viv Busby and Darren Currie have all pulled on shirts of both clubs in the past, whilst first team coach Hakan Hayrettin was part of the Chairboys squad that won promotion to the Football League in 1992/93.

THE SEASON SO FAR. The Chairboys’ form during this campaign has been in total contrast to last season’s of struggle. At the helm is former QPR and Wimbledon winger Gareth Ainsworth, who has led Wycombe to the promotion places. It has been their form on the road which has been most impressive with 10 wins, seven draws and just one defeat – at Exeter in October. No team has scored more goals away from home and this afternoon Ainsworth’s side aim to add to their 30 goals on their travels this evening.

TELLY ADDICTS. Don’t mention the jinx! The Hatters are aiming to overcome a poor record when playing in front of the television cameras, having won one of their last 12 televised fixtures, stretching back over three seasons. The Town’s sole victory when live on tv during that time was the New Year’s Day clash against Barnet. The overall record since September 2012 is played 12, won 1, drawn 4, lost 7. Here’s for a change of luck tonight…

REF WATCH. David Coote. Mr Coote takes charge of his first game involving the Town, and tonight’s referee will oversee his 23rd match of a season which has, so far, seen the whistler show 89 yellow cards and four red cards. Last season he officiated in last season’s League 1 Play-Off final between Rotherham and Leyton Orient.

TOWN TEAM NEWS. It is going to be a case of ‘as you were’ for the Town tonight with John Still unable to call upon Mark Tyler, Jonathan Smith and Nathan Doyle (all knee) and Scott Griffiths (hernia). Paul Benson is in contention for a starting place after making substitute appearances in the last two matches. Curtley Williams and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu are also unavailable.

LIVE AND ONLINE.Hatters Player is the only place to listen to online commentary of the Hatters this season and once again the DiverseFM team will be bringing subscribers all the action from the Prostate Cancer Stadium. What’s more there will be a full report, reaction and photographs post-match and live text updates during the match itself. 

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