It is more than 14 years since Albion and Luton played each other at first team level.

It is hard to tell who has had the more remarkable story since then.

The two clubs meet in the Premier League on Saturday.

Albion have been to Luton in friendlies and sent their under-21s to play in the Checkatrade Trophy since then.

But the last time the first XIs locked horns for real was in the southern final of the Johnstone Paints Trophy in 2008-9.

Albion were in the League One relegation zone while the Hatters were heading out of League Two after being docked 30 points.

It was a brilliant chance for both teams to give their fans a bit to cheer.

Albion went in as clear favourites but Luton reached Wembley after a penalty shoot-out on a hostile night at Kenilworth Road.

It proved to be Micky Adams’ final game in charge of the Seagulls.

Adam Virgo, who has followed Luton’s progress from the National League in his media role, still has bad memories of that night.

He said: “I remember playing in the first leg at Withdean.

“We drew 0-0 and we should have won that game comfortably.

“I think Jake (Robinson) had a couple of chances. It should never have been 0-0, which made it harder for us to go to Kenilworth Road.”

Virgo recognises Albion did not help themselves by going behind in the first minute as he and goalkeeper Michel Kuipers went for the same ball and collided, allowing Tom Craddock a gift.

Nicky Forster equalised with his 200th career goal but midfielder David Livermore was sent off just before the break after a bad foul right in front of the Luton bench.

Virgo said: “Fozzy had the better of their centre-back and I felt, if we could get into those positions, we were going to score more goals.

“But a mad moment (with Livermore) and we were just looking to see it out, try and get to penalties.”

Virgo, Forster and Tommy Elphick converted but Jason Jarrett and Chris Birchall were unsuccessful.

Luton fans charged on to the pitch, making a beeline for the away end, and their side were going to Wembley, where they beat Scunthorpe.

Virgo said: “The only penalty shoot-out that I lost and it was the one for Wembley!

“When you look back on your career, I don't have too many regrets.

“But there are situations I look back on and I think about missing out on that game at Wembley.

“I knew how many we took to the Millennium Stadium for the League One play-off.

“I knew it would be a huge event and it was one of those nights that stick in the memory even now.

“Speaking to Fozzy afterwards, I think it's still the same for him. You know, that opportunity being missed.

“Again, it just shows how far the club has come.

“We beat Man City as a major upset that season and now we're competing against Man City in the league.”

Those fans brought up on Premier League football and FA Cup semi-finals might not appreciate how much that JP Trophy tie meant to both sides.

It was an intense night. There was an unpleasant feel around the ground and it was clear Luton were being fired up, both on and off the pitch, by a sense of injustice.

Albion had seen a bright start to the season cave in and the push for Wembley felt like a last throw of the dice for Adams.

Asked whether he knew the manager’s time was up following the defeat, Virgo said: “I felt so because you can just tell in team talks at the end.

“It wasn't one of those like, ‘Thanks for your effort boys’ and things like that.

“But I just felt so, as well as I knew Micky at that stage.

“He still had respect from players but I just felt the signings that he made that season didn't quite work out.

“There was a massive amount of loan signings that he'd made which I think unsettled the squad.

“I felt gutted afterwards because I have a sense of responsibility and you feel you are kind of letting him down a little bit when he's putting so much faith in me.

“He needed those performances sometimes from players like myself and Dave and Fozzie and Michel.

“You know, your experienced players.

“We made a mistake for the goal and that and the red card completely changed the game really.

“Anyway, we never tend to win at Wembley!”

So what now? Albion, as in 2009, will start as favourites.

But Luton also have momentum from last season.

Virgo said: "Ten years ago I started doing the National League and Luton were managed by John Still.

“You could never have envisaged them being in the Premier League now.

“They had a star player then called Andre Gray, who has gone on to the Premier League and done very well.

“They had good experience with Paul Benson, who was at Charlton for a number of seasons.

“A guy called Steve McNulty at the back, Cameron McGeehan who is now playing in Belgium.

“John Still probably takes a massive amount of credit for the start of it.

“But then you give a lot of credit as well to Nathan Jones and the gaffer now has taken them to the next level.

"There has been good recruitment and direction. You don’t have to spend the world on players.

“It’s a lovely club. They were always very nice to us when we were there.

“It’s going to be tough for them, no doubt about it.

“The home record is going to be important but it’s the unknown as well.

“All the pressure will be on Brighton and it’s an awkward game for them because Luton have waited so long for this opportunity.”