Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
- This is about the football club based in Milton Keynes since 2003. For that club's history before 2003, see Wimbledon F.C.
| File:Mk dons.jpg | |||
| Full name | Milton Keynes Dons Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Dons | ||
| Founded | 1889 (as Wimbledon Old Centrals FC) or 2004 (as Milton Keynes Dons) - see text for details | ||
| Ground | National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes | ||
| Capacity | 9,000 | ||
| Chairman | Peter Winkelman | ||
| Manager | Danny Wilson | ||
| League | League One | ||
| 2004-05 | League One, 20th | ||
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Milton Keynes Dons F.C. is a football club in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. It has been based there since 2003, and is a continuation of Wimbledon F.C., which had been based in south London. However, most of that club's original fans no longer support it since the move, and have instead founded their own club, AFC Wimbledon.
History
- An account of the controversy surrounding the club's move is detailed in Wimbledon F.C.
The history of the MK Dons begins in the late 1990s with Pete Winkelman, a music entrepreneur and avid promoter of Milton Keynes, who wanted top-class football in the city. The city already had a football team, Milton Keynes City F.C., who were playing in the Spartan South Midlands League, the eighth level of English football. Had Winkleman only intended bringing sporting glory to the area, he could have invested in the local team, as had Dr. Martens millionaire Max Griggs with nearby Rushden & Diamonds F.C.. However, Winkleman saw an opportunity build a FIFA-compliant new stadium complex, as part of a large commercial development that included Asda and IKEA superstores, and near a mainline railway station. This was probably the last remaining site in the city that fitted the bill: if this opportunity were lost, there would not be another. It was unlikely he could persuade the backers to fund such a stadium for what was at the time a poorly-supported non-league team. Instead, he planned to bring in a professional club from another city.
Since 1998, Winkleman had been approaching other clubs that were struggling financially, including Barnet F.C., Luton Town F.C. and QPR, but all had rejected his advances. However, in Wimbledon F.C., itself looking for a new home after years out of Wimbledon town, he found his perfect match. He persuaded the Directors that a move to Milton Keynes might give the club the new start it needed. But it was to be too late to save Wimbledon which, during the negotiations with the FA, went into administration with debts of more than £20 million.
Many of the team's best players were being sold off by the administrators and, at the end of the 2002/2003 season, the club were relegated to League One (the new name for the Second Division). On may 28th 2002, the FA had approved the move to Milton Keynes and then Winkleman helped finance the National Hockey Stadium's conversion for football. In September 2003, Wimbledon F.C. moved into the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes.
Change of name
In June 2004, Winkelman announced that Wimbledon would change its name to Milton Keynes Dons, having previously promised fans a vote on the issue; the committee of the official supporters' club had voted unanimously for the word "Wimbledon" to be retained in the name. Winkelman announced that he was including the word "Dons" formally in the new title (and not just a nickname) as a recognition of the previous history of the club, but it was clear that he wanted to close that chapter. When the club formally emerged from administration under the new name and ownership on July 1, he also announced new team colours and a new badge, this time without any consultation.
The club spent most of 2004-05 in the relegation zone; Stuart Murdoch was dismissed in November after a string of bad results. He was replaced by former Bristol City manager Danny Wilson, who was given the sole aim to save the team from relegation. Wilson managed to restore the team's home form, and at one point the club were six points clear of the drop. A collapse late on in the season, however, meant that MK Dons only escaped relegation on goal difference, above Torquay; had Wrexham not gone into administration and had ten points deducted (finishing 22nd), then MK Dons would have taken their place instead.
The 2005/2006 season began with a string of draws and losses (including elimination in the first round of the League Cup) that saw them once more in the relegation zone.
Supporters club recognition
On 5 June 2005, the MK Dons Supporters Club was again refused membership of the (national) Football Supporters' Federation (FSF), by 98 votes to 44. However, an informal indication was given that the FSF might be less hostile (though not necessarily favourable) if two very difficult conditions were met - though neither of these are MK supporters' to give:
- If the honours and history of Wimbledon FC are given back to the town of Wimbledon. This includes the replica of the FA cup won when Wimbledon FC defeated Liverpool F.C. in the 1988 Cup Final.
- The Football Association amend their rules to prohibit clubs being sold out of area ("Franchising").
New stadium
In February 2005, the club started the groundbreaking on a new stadium and arena complex near Bletchley railway station (map). The complex will combine a 30,000 seat outdoor stadium with a 5,000 seat indoor arena, where the MK Lions basketball team will be based. The stadium, designed to UEFA's Four Star specification, is due to open in time for the 2006-07 campaign.
League history
For history prior to 2003-2004, see Wimbledon F.C.
| 2003-2004 | Football League First Division |
| 2004-present | Football League One |
Managers
- Stuart Murdoch (2002-2004)
- Danny Wilson (2004-present)
External links
Notes
Template:Fnb Since 2004/05, Division One (or First Division) is called the Football League Championship.