MK Dons 'end of an era': Fans react as owner sells football club (2024)

Fans of MK Dons have reacted positively to the latest twist in the football club’s history, after its long-standing owner Pete Winkelman sold it to foreign investors.

Standing in front of Stadium MK, supporters told the BBC it was "fantastic news" and "the right time", while praising Mr Winkelman for his achievements.

The League Two club began life in south London as Wimbledon, but relocated to Milton Keynes in 2003, much to the anger of many fans.

A consortium led by Mr Winkelman led the move after it was approved by an independent commission.

After first playing their matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Mr Winkelman built his team a 30,000 capacity stadium complete with hotel and indoor arena.

Mr Winkelman said he was "heartbroken" to let the club go, but "excited" to see what the new owners – a Kuwait-based consortium led by businessman and entrepreneur Fahad Al Ghanim – will do with the Dons.

"These are powerful people with global interests. Football is a global and expensive business.

"I didn’t build this stadium to own a football club in the lower leagues. I'd rather not own the club, and see MK Dons in the Premier League," he said.

Luca Quarta, 30, is a MK Dons fan and runs a YouTube football channel.

He was "really surprised" the announcement had been made with the football season about to begin.

However, he said it was "really fantastic news".

"Pete Winkelman has been our owner since this club became the MK Dons. He’s done lots of good things, he's been loyal to the club, and been very nice to the fans.

"But for me it was time for him to go. Fans were getting frustrated, questioning if he was putting enough in."

Mr Quarta added: "For a stadium like this, it’s about time we should be moving forward as a football club. We should at least be competing in League One. We were a Championship team.

"I believe in this club, but I believe we can get back to where we want to be."

Jasmine Le Grand has been going to watch the MK Dons with her dad since the age of seven.

She said changing ownership has come "at the right time, after 20 years".

"I think Pete did a really good job, but you need a different person in control."

She said Mr Winkelman's legacy went beyond the club.

"There's the Bowl as well, with big concerts and little events like family fun days."

"It's a new era. Hopefully it means good things for the Dons and promotion coming our way?"

Munaf Dalvi, a supporter since 2007, had mixed emotions about the news.

“The first thing that comes to mind is that it’s an end of an era for the club.

“I’m excited, but there’s some sadness about Pete going. I can't fault what he’s done. But I know he wouldn’t sell the club to just anyone."

Mr Dalvi said the idea of an overseas consortium was “not an issue for me, as long as they understand a bit of the history of the football club”.

“We've been lacking investment for many years, so if they bring that in, I’m all for it."

The Dons' league campaign starts at home on Saturday against Bradford City and marks the 20th anniversary of the club's first match in the city under their new name.

They finished fourth in League Two last season, but lost in the play-off semi-finals to Crawley Town.

"I believe I've done the right thing, I believe I've found the right people to carry on the work, to reignite the dream," said Mr Winkelman.

Al Ghanim, whose family own Kuwait Premier League champions Kuwait SC, said: "Our first focus will be on strengthening the first-team squad to give the club the best chance of promotion this season.

"I fully believe the team are in a great place, I’m not looking to disrupt the fantastic work done over the summer, if anything, I want to add to it."

• 4 January 2001: Wimbledon first announce that they are considering moving to Milton Keynes
• 28 May 2002: An independent commission gives the go-ahead for the move
• Summer 2002: Large numbers of outraged Dons fans form a breakaway non-League club, AFC Wimbledon, which joined the Combined Counties League.
• 10 August 2002: Wimbledon begin the season in front of a crowd of 2,476 at Selhurst Park
• 29 October 2002: Only 664 fans attend for a League Cup tie
• 4 May 2003: The club finish 10th in Division One
• 6 June 2003: Wimbledon go into administration
• 9 August 2003: The new season begins with Wimbledon still at Selhurst Park, in front of 1,145 fans
• 29 September 2003: A crowd of 5,639 watch the first game at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes
• 18 March 2004: Pete Winkelman's takeover bid is accepted by creditors
• 6 April 2004: Wimbledon are relegated from Division One after losing 2-1 to Sunderland
• 21 June 2004: Football League approves name change to Milton Keynes Dons FC
• 2007: Winkelman is responsible for building the 30,000-seat Stadium MK, which opened in 2007.
• MK Dons initially claimed Wimbledon's heritage and history, but officially renounced this in the same year.

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