He made his first-team debut during the 1998/99 season in the 3-0 home defeat to Walsall in the Auto Windscreens Shield and appeared once more in the campaign - in a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Lincoln City. However, Emmerson could not be blamed for the results and he had shown enough in the two games to signify that he had the potential to be a first-team regular.

After the departure of the aforementioned Alexander, it was a battle between Emmerson and Stuart Fraser for the right wing-back spot for the start of the 1999-00 season. Stuart initially won the place in the side, but Emmerson appeared as a 70th minute substitute in the opening match at Notts County. He then started in the next match against Bristol Rovers in the Worthington Cup when skipper Marvin Johnson was ruled out with injury. Playing as a centre-back, he gave a mature performance against the excellent strike pair of Jason Roberts and Jamie Cureton. Unfortunately, the Hatters slumped to a 2-0 defeat. He also earned a starting place in the second-leg of the tie, again playing in the centre of defence. Emmerson was frequently a substitute but the competition for places at the back in the early part of the season limited his first-team opportunities before Christmas, but the departure of Efetober Sodje (first to Nigeria and then to Colchester) and the dip in form of Stuart Fraser, opened the door for him.

He came into the side in place of Stuart as a right wing-back for the Boxing Day match at home to Chesterfield, and thereafter was a regular, playing in 23 of the final 25 matches and starting in 20 of those games. He also scored during the season with a well-finished right-footed effort in the 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth in February 2000. Emmerson undoubtedly showed more promise and composure with each appearance that he made and he looks certain to retain his place in the starting line-up next season. He has proved to be another success for John Moore's superb coaching and the local scouting team.

Emmerson had a fairly solid 2000-01 season despite Luton's relegation to Division Three. He was a regular starter under managers Ricky Hill, Lil Fuccillo and Joe Kinnear, operating in a three-man central defence to good effect, usually with Richard Dryden, and Paul McLaren. He played in a total of 49 matches, 42 of those appearances coming in the league. He also chipped in with 3 goals, netting his first of the season against Peterborough on Boxing Day in a 3-2 win, scoring in a 3-1 win at Notts County in Joe Kinnear's second game in charge and also scoring the second in a 3-1 win at Swindon. A pacy defender and good in the air, he was voted the Junior Supporters' Player of the Year.

Emmerson carried over his solid displays from the previous campaign into the 2001-02 season as Luton mounted a promotion challenge to get back into Division Two at the first attempt. He was a virtual ever-present as the Hatters right-back for the first half of the season, his pace and ability to push forward down the wing a real benefit to Kinnear's attacking style of play. He also operated in the centre of defence in injury crisis' and he never let the team down when he was asked to play in this position. After the arrival of David Bayliss from Rochdale in December 2002, Emmerson had more competition for a defensive spot, and then with the further addition of another defender, Alan Neilson, he had to compete with 3 players for the right-back slot - with Ian Hillier also looking to gain the berth.

However, he competed admirably, and the Hatters youth academy product finished the season with 38 appearances in all competitions - 37 of them in the League - as Luton finished 2nd and were promoted back to Division Two. Emmerson was rewarded for his excellent campaign with a new two-year contract, which kept him at Kenilworth Road until the end of the 2004-05 season.

Emmerson once again had an excellent season during the 2002-03 campaign as he continued to impress with his pace and determination to burst down the right flank for the Hatters.

A fans’ favourite who love his all-action style and willingness to run at the opposition, Emmerson failed to find the back of the net during the season but was a regular in manager Joe Kinnear’s side, usually operating at right-back but also featuring as a central defender, right winger and even as a makeshift striker during the campaign!

Emmerson, although failing to hit the back of the net during the season, did assist in a number of goals and was always selected in Joe Kinnear’s side when he was available.

Emmerson appeared in 39 matches during the course of the season (34 of these appearances in the League) and he was also a member of the Hatters’ side that beat local rivals Watford 2-1 at Vicarage Road in September 2002 in the League Cup First Round.

The talented defender had made 168 appearances for the Hatters in all competitions (148 in the League) prior to the start of the 2003-04 campaign where he was hoping he could continue to improve under the guidance of new manager Mike Newell.

Emmerson had a tremendous 2003-04 season as he spent the season operating in the centre of the Hatters' defence alongside Chris Coyne – and Emmerson looked every bit a player who was destined for a higher level.

Having impressed new boss Mike Newell when operating as a central defender in the pre-season friendlies, Emmerson began the season in that position – and he never looked back, making himself an automatic choice in that role for the rest of the campaign.

Not only was Emmerson a colossus at the back, his excellent aerial strength standing out, and his pace allowing him to make many-a-last-ditch tackle, but he was also a real threat to the opposition when moving forward for set-pieces, and he weighed in with an excellent tally of 5 goals during the season.

A real fans' favourite, Emmerson made a total of 49 appearances in all competitions during the campaign (42 in the League) and the first of his 5 goals during the season came in November 2003 as he netted the opening goal in front of the Sky television cameras in a 1-1 draw at non-league Thurrock in the FA Cup First Round.

He scored again over the Christmas period in a 2-0 home win over Notts County and then scored three times from February onwards as he scored in important home wins over Brentford (4-1), Blackpool (3-2) and Bristol City (3-2).

Emmerson was rewarded for his outstanding season by winning the Players' Player of the Year, Internet Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year awards and the Luton Town fans were desperately hoping that the home grown talent, who had made over 200 appearances for the club in all competitions at the end of the 2003-04 season, would sign a new contract that had been offered to him.

However, the pacy and hugely popular defender decided that the offer of a two-year by Premiership new boys Crystal Palace was too good an opportunity to turn down and he signed for The Eagles on a Bosman free transfer, much to the disappointment of the Hatters faithful.