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.
Template:Football club infobox 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.
| Contents |
History
- An account of the controversy surrounding the club's move is detailed in Wimbledon F.C.
In September 2003, Division One1 side Wimbledon F.C. moved into a temporary new home at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes. The club had already gone into administration with debts of more than £20 million — and to make matters worse, the administrator sold off the club's best players to pay some of the debts, leaving it struggling to compete at this level of football.
Six months later, businessman and record producer Pete Winkelman, who had previously helped finance the Hockey Stadium's conversion for football, agreed to take the club over and save it from liquidation; however it was too late to rescue Wimbledon's season. Wimbledon ended the season bottom of Division One with 33 defeats, and were relegated to Football League One (the new name for the Second Division).
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 (which is loyal to Winkelman) 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.
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 (Template:Oscoor). 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
- Milton Keynes Dons official site (http://www.mkdons.co.uk)
Notes
Note 1: Since 2004/05, Division One (or First Division) is called the Football League Championship.
|
League competitions |
Cup competitions | |
| FA Premier League | FA Cup | |
| The Football League (Champ, 1, 2) | England (men) | League Cup |
| Football Conference (Nat, N, S) | FA Community Shield | |
| Northern Premier League (Prem, 1) | (women) | Football League Trophy |
| Southern League (Prem, 1W, 1E) | List of clubs | FA Trophy |
| Isthmian League (Prem, 1, 2) | FA Vase | |
| English football league system | Records | FA NLS Cup |
|
edit (https://academickids.com:443/encyclopedia/index.php?title=Template:Football_in_England_table_cells&action=edit) | ||