MK Dons reins in Kuwait-based consortium hands

Article posted by Coliseum, August 19^th, 2024

Image: Milton Keynes Dons

Fans of the English Football League (EFL) League Two club MK Dons have reacted positively to the latest twist in the football club’s history after its longstanding owner Pete Winkelman sold it to the foreign investors.

‘BBC’ stated that standing in front of Stadium MK, the supporters said it was “fantastic news” and “the right time” while praising Winkelman for his achievements.

London (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales (UK). Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in the world and was the top-level football league in England from its foundation until 1992 when the top 22 clubs split from it to form the Premier League (the top tier of England’s football pyramid). The Football League was rebranded as the ‘English Football League’ (EFL) from the 2016-2017 seasons.

The English Football League Two, simply known as League Two in England and for sponsorship purposes as Sky Bet League Two, is the third and lowest division of the English Football League (EFL) and fourth-highest tier overall in the English football league system.

Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, usually abbreviated to MK Dons, is a professional association football club based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England (UK). The team competes in EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system. The club was founded in 2004 following Wimbledon F.C.’s controversial relocation to Milton Keynes from South London when it adopted its present name, badge and home colors.

The 30,500-capacity Stadium MK is a football stadium in the Denbigh district of Bletchley in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England (UK). Designed by the celebrated design studio Populous and opened in 2007, it is the home ground of the EFL League Two side Milton Keynes Dons.

‘BBC’ further stated that 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 Winkelman led the move after it was approved by an independent commission.

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

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.

Observed Winkelman, “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.”

Fans’ Perspective

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.”

Added Quarta, “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 Winkelman’s legacy went beyond the club – “There’s the Bowl as well with big concerts and little events like the 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.”

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.”

Added Winkelman, “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.”

Al Ghanim, whose family own the Kuwait Premier League champions Kuwait SC, stated, “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.”

The Rocky Road to MK Dons

January 4^th, 2001: Wimbledon first announce that they are considering moving to Milton Keynes;
May 28^th, 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;
August 10^th, 2002: Wimbledon begin the season in front of a crowd of 2,476 at the 25,486-capacity Selhurst Park;
October 29^th, 2002: Only 664 fans attend for a League Cup tie;
May 4^th, 2003: The club finish 10th in Division One;
June 6^th, 2003: Wimbledon go into administration;
August 9^th, 2003: The new season begins with Wimbledon still at Selhurst Park in front of 1,145 fans;
September 29^th, 2003: A crowd of 5,639 watch the first game at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes, England;
March 18^th, 2004: Pete Winkelman’s takeover bid is accepted by the creditors;
April 6^th, 2004: Wimbledon are relegated from Division One after losing 2-1 to the Sunderland A.F.C.;
June 21^st, 2004: The Football League approves name change to Milton Keynes Dons F.C.;
2007: Winkelman is responsible for building the 30,000-seat Stadium MK, which opened in 2007; and
MK Dons initially claimed Wimbledon’s heritage and history, but officially renounced this in the same year.

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