The 2005–06 season was the 120th season in the history of Luton Town Football Club, and the club's 85th consecutive year in the Football League. This was the club's first season in the second tier of English football since the 1995–96 season. Mike Newell's Luton side made a strong start to the season, topping the table after the first three games and staying in the play-off places until mid-December. However, a poor second half to the season saw Luton eventually slip down the table to finish in tenth place, albeit above more-fancied sides such as Southampton and Leicester City. Striker Steve Howard was Luton's top goalscorer for the fifth season running, scoring 15 goals in total, despite playing parts of the campaign as a makeshift centre-back following injuries to most of the Luton defence. Indeed, this proved a common occurrence throughout the season, with Luton's relatively small squad forcing team members to play out of position when injuries or suspensions materialised. Kenilworth Road was expanded at the beginning of the season to accommodate over 700 more fans and, combined with the large away followings of clubs such as Leeds United, Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, this saw the highest average attendance for Luton since their relegation from the top division in the 1991–92 season. This article covers the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006. Background The 2004–05 season had seen Luton promoted to the second tier of English football, winning the League One title with 98 points and both the most goals scored and fewest goals conceded. Six Luton players had been named in the Team of the Year, with 20-year-old centre-back Curtis Davies being named League One Player of the Year. Key players Sol Davis, Kevin Nicholls, Ahmet Brković and Steve Howard had all agreed contract extensions with the club in the face of transfer speculation, while squad players Lee Mansell and David Bayliss had been released. Review July and August Wrexham's Trinidad and Tobago international winger Carlos Edwards joined Luton on a free transfer on 1 July. The club released utility player Alan Neilson and long-term injured defender Ian Hillier the same day. On 4 July, Luton signed Rowan Vine on a three-year contract from Portsmouth for £250,000. Vine had spent the previous season on a year-long loan at Luton, playing in 49 games. The club began pre-season with a mini-tournament in Bulgaria, losing to