Luton ready to crank up volume in first top-flight home game for 31 years

LONDON : Luton Town's long wait to welcome top-flight football back to their snug Kenilworth Road home ends on Friday as they take on West Ham United seeking their first points of the season.

The club, back amongst the elite for the first time since 1992, had to postpone their opening home match against Burnley as work was ongoing to bring their stadium up to scratch.

Heavy opening defeats at Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea were not unexpected for a club that sealed their Premier League spot by beating Coventry City in the Championship playoffs.

But anticipation is building for the visit of West Ham, who will become the first top-flight team to play a league match at Kenilworth Road since Aston Villa 31 years ago.

Even with a 10 million pounds ($12.68 million) upgrade to the Bobbers Stand, Luton's capacity is only 11,300, roughly the same as Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.

But in terms of appearance, Luton's quirky home looks like a throwback to yesteryear with Victorian houses hemming it in and one entrance being via the garden of neighbouring property.

One thing is for sure, however. The volume created by the Hatters fans crammed in on Friday will shake the 118-year-old stadium to its foundations.

"You know, I know and everyone connected to the club knows what's coming on Friday and I want to hear it," manager Rob Edwards said in the build-up.

"We've got to bring the football side but, judging what the fans have been like away from home, I can't wait to see what they produce on Friday night. The feel-good factor around the place is incredible."

Forward Cauley Woodrow, who scored in the League Cup win at Kenilworth Road against Gillingham this week, said Luton needed to turn their home into an intimidating 'fortress'.

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