The club had been in existence for less than three months on the season's start, and as Luton did not enter any league competition the team's first competitive match came on 31 October, an FA Cup tie against Great Marlow which was lost 3–0.

Luton Town Football Club was formed on 11 April 1885 at a meeting convened "for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a town football club".

Some of the Wanderers players were not enthusiastic, as they had extended their name to Luton Town Wanderers only three months before; these players made the decision to continue separately to the newly amalgamated club.

Despite this, Luton Town's early line-ups consisted of six players from one of the former clubs and five from the other.

[3][4] Luton Town played only one competitive match during the season, an FA Cup first round tie at Great Marlow which was lost 3–0.