MK Dons v Luton Town: A bitter rivalry fuelled by a 22-year wait

They are only 20 miles apart yet have barely played each other.

Indeed, the last time MK Dons hosted Luton Town was in November 2004 at the former National Hockey Stadium.

Contrasting promotions and relegations means their paths have not crossed until Saturday's League One game at Stadium MK (12:30 BST)

They are not rivals as such, nor is the fixture comparable with Luton's traditional, deep-seated hatred of Watford.

Still, for some Hatters fans, the resentment towards MK Dons runs deep.

Many remain angry about the controversial move of Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003, a so-called 'franchise team' encroaching in their own backyard.

They saw it as a betrayal of a club and its community.

"I don't dislike Milton Keynes, I dislike what they stand for," said Mike Fanning, a Luton Town fan.

"They're a franchise and that's not what football is about.

"It's a working men's game, about a club and its community and it matters. It can't be taken away. You can't up sticks and go elsewhere because someone wants you to."

Luton were nearly that club back in the 1980s.

The club were in financial strife and there were serious proposals to move to Milton Keynes and become 'MK Hatters'. The Football League initially approved the concept in 1983.

Luton's then chairman Denis Mortimer believed the move could attract new fans.

They were close to becoming a franchise themselves.

But after a huge backlash from supporters, who marched and protested with thousands signing a petition, the plans were eventually scrapped.

"I was on the action committee to fight the move to MK back in the 1980s," said Luton fan John Pyper.

"We could have lost our club, but we fought the decision of our then directors to take the offer to move to MK. We boycotted games back then.

"I was so upset when they took a club to Milton Keynes in the end. Why didn't they set up their own club using their own different towns and villages within their own vicinity?"

"We could have been the MK Hatters," said Mike Fanning, who was at school when the demonstrations took place.

"We are still in existence because of those loyal people who protested and marched.

"Many of those fans are still going to games now, so it's raw.

As for MK Dons, they are used to the anger.

Jon Scudamore has been supporting the club for years and regularly goes with his family. He went to the last game between the two sides played in Milton Keynes in November 2004.

"MK Dons have had this directed at us for 22 years," he said.

"We have grown used to it and grown hard because of it.

"The Luton fans will understand that. Luton have been through some hard times and I have the greatest respect for them. But we MK fans are solid."

Dons manager Paul Warne recently put on a presentation about the MK story to his players because some of his squad did not know the history of the club.

"I don't think anything that happened 20-odd years ago has anything to do with my players," he said.

"Having thousands of fans from Luton helps my team because our fans will turn up and sing against them which makes for a great atmosphere."

Despite one fans' group originally asking Luton fans to boycott the game on Saturday, more than 6,000 Hatters fans will attend at Stadium MK.

Their decision to go has been respected although many promise not to spend any money when they get there.

"It's down to the individual," said Kevin Rouse of Loyal Luton Supporters group.

"As a committee we will not go. It burns very deep and we will not recognise them (MK Dons).

"But there is no right or wrong in this."