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AFC Wimbledon–Milton Keynes Dons F.C. rivalry

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AFC Wimbledon v Milton Keynes Dons
Other namesDons derby
TeamsAFC Wimbledon
Milton Keynes Dons
First meeting2 December 2012[1]
Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 AFC Wimbledon
FA Cup second round
Latest meeting2 November 2024
Milton Keynes Dons 0–2 AFC Wimbledon
FA Cup first round
Next meeting25 January 2025
Milton Keynes Dons – AFC Wimbledon
League Two
StadiumsPlough Lane (AFC Wimbledon)
Stadium MK (Milton Keynes Dons)
Statistics
Meetings total17[1]
Most winsMilton Keynes Dons (8)[1]
Most player appearancesDean Lewington (11)[1]
Top scorerBenik Afobe, Matt O'Riley, Daniel Powell, Callum Maycock (2)[1]
Postseason resultsAFC Wimbledon: 5
Drawn: 4
Milton Keynes Dons: 8[1]
Largest victoryAFC Wimbledon 3–0 Milton Keynes Dons
(14 September 2024)[1]

The rivalry between AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons arose from the formation of both clubs following the relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes, and is mainly rooted in the use of the term "Dons." On relocation of Wimbledon F.C., AFC Wimbledon was formed claiming to be the successor to what fans saw as the death of their club. After the near bankruptcy of Wimbledon F.C., the newly formed Milton Keynes claimed its history, silverware, and the term "Dons"; the silverware was subsequently returned to Merton Council but the continued use of "Dons" is seen by AFC fans as disrespectful of their heritage. For many years the two clubs played at different levels of English football, with the first competitive fixture between them taking place on 2 December 2012 - a second round FA Cup meeting in which the two clubs were drawn against one another, resulting in Milton Keynes dons defeating AFC Wimbledon 2–1.[2]

Following AFC Wimbledon's promotion to the Football League, fixtures between the two clubs have taken place regularly.[1] The rivalry was named as one of "5 of the fiercest rivalries in the Football League"[3] and one of the "8 biggest derbies in the EFL" by commentators.[4] A 2019 study ranked the rivalry 22nd out of the top 30 derbies in all of English football.[5] The fixture has been labelled "one of football's biggest grudge games".[6]

History

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Origins

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See also: Relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes

Wimbledon Football Club relocated to Milton Keynes in September 2003, 16 months after receiving permission to do so from the Football Association on the basis of a two-to-one decision in favour by an FA-appointed independent three man commission. The move took the team from south London, where they had been based since their foundation in 1889, to Milton Keynes, a new city in Buckinghamshire, about 56 miles (90 km) to the northwest of the club's traditional home district Wimbledon. Hugely controversial,[7][8][9] the move's authorisation prompted disaffected Wimbledon supporters to form AFC Wimbledon, a new club, in June 2002. The relocated team played home matches in Milton Keynes under the Wimbledon name from September 2003 until June 2004, when following the end of the 2003–04 season they renamed themselves Milton Keynes Dons F.C. (MK Dons).

First encounter

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"Some months ago I went to the directors of the Dons Trust, the parent board of the club. I said, 'Some day we will be drawn away to Milton Keynes. What do you want to do?'

After a long discussion by the owners, they decided they would not accept hospitality on the day of the game. They instructed the football club board not to go too. The fans are deciding they don't want us to go into the boardroom. Therefore, there will be no hand to shake."

— Erik Samuelson, AFC Wimbledon chief executive, November 2012[10]

On 14 November 2012, the two clubs were drawn to play against each other for the first time in a second round FA Cup tie which would take place on 2 December 2012. At the time, MK Dons were an established League One club, and AFC Wimbledon a League Two club having achieved promotion from the Conference National in 2011.[11] MK Dons were drawn as the home team, with the fixture being played at the club's home ground of Stadium MK. The tie was accompanied by worldwide press attention[12] and was selected for live coverage by television networks around the world as well as being chosen for broadcast by ITV domestically in the UK.[13]

Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association, representing fans of AFC Wimbledon, initially considered encouraging their supporters to boycott the fixture, but later released a statement suggesting individual supporters made an "informed decision" as to whether they attended or not.[14] AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson stated that following discussions with the club's owners, board members would not accept hospitality at Stadium MK on the day of the fixture.[10]

A crowd of 16,459 including several thousand AFC Wimbledon supporters eventually attended the match. The first half saw little action, but on the stroke of half-time it was the home side that took the lead with a 25-yard strike from midfielder Stephen Gleeson.

After the break, chances for both sides followed. On the 59th-minute, AFC Wimbledon equalised through striker Jack Midson's header, and almost took the lead themselves when Steven Gregory's shot produced a save from MK Dons' goalkeeper David Martin. The match ended in dramatic fashion when on the 93rd-minute, substitute Jon Otsemobor's was struck by the ball on the back of his boot, resulting in a last gasp 2–1 victory for Milton Keynes Dons.[2] Supporters of the club later dubbed the freak goal, the "Heel of God".[15][16]

Notable subsequent encounters

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The first encounter between the two clubs to take place at AFC Wimbledon's (then) home ground of Kingsmeadow took place on 14 March 2017.[17] The fixture was a League One match between the two that took place during the 2016–17 season as a result of AFC Wimbledon's promotion from League Two the previous season. This was the first season in which the two clubs would meet at the same level of the English football league system.[18] The match was played in front of a heated atmosphere between both groups of fans. Following a stalemate in the first half, AFC Wimbledon midfielder Jake Reeves struck just after the hour mark before striker Lyle Taylor added a second soon after to seal the victory. The match ended 2–0 to the home side.[17]

On 30 January 2021 the first fixture between the two clubs at AFC Wimbledon's new Plough Lane stadium took place, albeit without spectators in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Milton Keynes Dons emerged from the encounter as 2–0 winners.[19]

In the first contest between the two clubs in front of fans at Plough Lane on 2 March 2024, AFC Wimbledon secured a 1–0 victory following a last-gasp goal from Ronan Curtis in the final minute of added time.[20] Tempers flared at the final whistle with staff and players from both clubs having to be separated by the referee.

The first encounter between the two clubs' Women's teams took place at Prince George's Fields on October 13, 2024, as part of the FA Women's National League South where AFC Wimbledon won 5–0.

Controversies

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Chart of English Football League performance of MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon since the 2004-05 season

Due to the rivalry between the two clubs, there have been a number of controversies and incidents over the years, both on and off the pitch.

During the first fixture between the two clubs at Stadium MK on 2 December 2012, a small plane chartered by AFC Wimbledon supporters flew over the stadium several times flying a banner which read "We are Wimbledon".[2] Following the fixture, a local newspaper reported that visiting AFC Wimbledon supporters were responsible for damage caused to "seating, toilet and refreshment facilities" within the stadium.[21]

There were security concerns ahead of the first fixture to take place between the two clubs at AFC Wimbledon's (then) home ground of Kingsmeadow on 14 March 2017. Due to the street layout surrounding the venue there were safety concerns that groups of opposing supports would clash. Only 650 tickets were allocated to visiting fans. Following consultation between the police and the two clubs it was agreed the match would be designated as a "bubble fixture" with visiting MK Dons supporters only allowed to travel to the match via mandatory coach travel arranged by the club. On arrival, visiting supporters were then escorted to the ground by police. A similar arrangement remained in place for every subsequent fixture between the two clubs at Kingsmeadow.[22]

On 20 December 2017, AFC Wimbledon were charged by the EFL with an alleged breach of league regulations following their home encounter with Milton Keynes Dons on 22 September 2017. The alleged breach related to the club not referring to Milton Keynes Dons by their full name on Kingsmeadow's electronic scoreboard throughout the tie as well as failing include their name on the cover of the matchday programme and only referring to them as MK or Milton Keynes.[23]

In April 2018, the EFL reported that it was facilitating mediation between the two clubs in an attempt to reach an amicable agreement in relation to the clubs' relationship towards one another. On 10 July 2019, a further statement revealed mediation talks were still ongoing but that a temporary agreement for AFC Wimbledon to treat MK Dons' club name in an equal manner to any other visiting club, in relation to the matchday programme and scoreboard, had been reached.[24]

Players for both clubs

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No footballer has played for both clubs on a permanent basis. The following footballers have played for both clubs, although all have been loan signings for one or both clubs.

AFC Wimbledon, then Milton Keynes Dons

Name Pos. AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes Dons Ref.
England Brennan Dickenson MF 2013 (loan) 2019–2020 [25]
England Tennai Watson DF 2018–2019 (loan) 2021–2023 [26]
England Henry Lawrence DF 2021–2022 (loan) 2022–2023 (loan) [27]
England Paris Maghoma MF 2022–2023 (loan) 2023 (loan) [28]
Wales Connor Lemonheigh-Evans MF 2023–2024 (loan) 2024– [29]

Milton Keynes Dons, then AFC Wimbledon

Name Pos. Milton Keynes Dons AFC Wimbledon Ref.
England Drewe Broughton FW 2007–2008 2011 (loan) [30]

Footballers who previously played for Wimbledon

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The following players played for the original Wimbledon club, and later played for either AFC Wimbledon or Milton Keynes Dons. The majority of players who have played for both Wimbledon FC and Milton Keynes Dons were members of the team at the time of the relocation.

Wimbledon and AFC Wimbledon

Name Pos. Wimbledon AFC Wimbledon Ref.
England Roger Joseph DF 1988–1996 2003
2004–2005 		[31]
England Jermaine Darlington DF 2002–2004 2006–2007 [32]
England Michael Gordon MF 2001–2004 2006–2007 [33]
Jamaica Marcus Gayle FW 1994–2001 2007–2008 [34]
Jamaica Jason Euell FW 1995–2001 2012 [35]
Scotland Neil Sullivan GK 1986–2000 2012 [36]
Republic of Ireland David Connolly FW 2001–2003 2015 [37]

Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons

Name Pos. Wimbledon Milton Keynes Dons Ref.
England Dean Lewington DF 2002–2004 2004–Present [38]
England Paul Heald GK 1995–2004 2004–2005 [39]
Scotland Jamie Mackie FW 2003–2004 2004–2005 [40]
France Harry Ntimban-Zeh DF 2004 2004–2005 [41]
Northern Ireland Mark Williams DF 2000–2002
2004 		2004–2005 [42]
Sierra Leone Malvin Kamara MF 2003–2004 2004–2006 [43]
England Nick McKoy MF 2003–2004 2004–2006 [44]
England Wade Small FW 2003–2004 2004–2006 [45]
England Alex Tapp MF 2002–2004 2004–2006 [46]
England Ben Chorley DF 2003–2004 2004–2007 [47]
England Ben Harding MF 2003–2004 2004–2007 [48]
England Gary Smith MF 2004 2004–2007 [49]
Sierra Leone Albert Jarrett FW 2003–2004 2007 [50]
England Jason Puncheon MF 2003–2004 2004–2006
2008–2010 		[51]
England David Martin GK 2003–2004 2004–2006
2010–2017 		[52]
England Nigel Reo-Coker MF 2002–2004 2018 [53]

Statistics

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All figures are correct as of 3 November 2024.[1]

Head-to-head results

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Competition Played AFC Wimbledon wins Drawn Milton Keynes Dons wins AFC Wimbledon goals Milton Keynes Dons goals
Football League 12 3 3 6 10 13
FA Cup 2 1 0 1 3 2
Football League Cup 2 0 1[a] 1 3 5
Football League Trophy 1 1 0 0 3 2
Total 17 5 4 8 19 22
  1. ^ The League Cup first round tie which took place on 13 August 2019 finished 2–2 in normal time, with MK Dons advancing to the next round after a 2–4 penalty shoot-out victory.[54]

Records

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  • First competitive meeting: Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 AFC Wimbledon – FA Cup second round, 2 December 2012
  • First EFL Cup/League Cup meeting: Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 AFC Wimbledon – First round, 12 August 2014
  • First EFL Trophy/League Trophy meeting: Milton Keynes Dons 2–3 AFC Wimbledon – Second round, 7 October 2014
  • First FA Cup meeting: Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 AFC Wimbledon – Second round, 2 December 2012
  • First league meeting: Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 AFC Wimbledon – League One, 10 December 2016
  • First away victory:
    • AFC Wimbledon: Milton Keynes Dons 2–3 AFC Wimbledon – League Trophy second round, 7 October 2014
    • Milton Keynes Dons: AFC Wimbledon 0–2 Milton Keynes Dons – League One, 22 September 2017
  • Highest scoring game: Milton Keynes Dons 2–3 AFC Wimbledon – League Trophy second round, 7 October 2014
  • Largest winning margin:
    • AFC Wimbledon: 3–0 – League Two, 14 September 2024
    • Milton Keynes Dons: 3–1 – League Two, 23 January 2024, 3–1 – League Cup first round, 12 August 2014
  • Most consecutive wins:
    • AFC Wimbledon: 3
    • Milton Keynes Dons: 2
  • Longest undefeated run:
    • AFC Wimbledon: 3 (2 March 2024 – present; 3 wins)
    • Milton Keynes Dons: 9 (22 September 2017 – 2 March 2024; 6 wins and 3 draws)
  • Most consecutive draws: 1
  • Most meetings in a season: 3 – 2024–25 season
  • Most goals: 2 – Callum Maycock (AFC Wimbledon), Benik Afobe (Milton Keynes Dons), Matt O'Riley (Milton Keynes Dons) and Daniel Powell (Milton Keynes Dons)
  • Most appearances: 11 – Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons)
  • Highest league attendance: 16,459 at Stadium MK, FA Cup second round, 2 December 2012[55]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Milton Keynes Dons football club: record v AFC Wimbledon". 11v11.com. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "MK Dons 2-1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC. 2 December 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  3. ^ "5 OF THE FIERCEST RIVALRIES IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE". the72.co.uk. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  4. ^ "Ranking the 8 biggest derbies in the EFL". Betway. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Stoke City v Port Vale named in top 30 rivalries in English football - below Vale v Crewe Alexandra". Stoke Sentinel. 9 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Former AFC Wimbledon defender speaks out on MK Dons rivalry". Surrey Live. 22 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  7. ^ Parker, Raj; Stride, Steve; Turvey, Alan (28 May 2002). Report of the Independent Commission on Wimbledon F.C.'s wish to relocate to Milton Keynes (PDF). The Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2009.. "51. The proposal has met with considerable opposition, and not just from the WFC fans. ... Respected football writers in our national press were generally supportive of the Football League's decision [to block the move]. ... A Parliamentary All Party Committee ... is opposed. ... Merton BC is opposed to the move and believe a stadium can be built in Merton ... the Football Association, the Football League, the FA Premier League and the Football Conference Ltd have all provided statements which ... weigh against permission being granted for a move of this nature and distance. ... [M]ost of the hundreds (over 600) of communications we have received have argued against the proposal. They have generally been from individual WFC fans. 57. Supporters' associations and individual fans from many other clubs and people from as far afield as the United States, Australia (Wimbledon Supporters Downunder), Russia and Norway have also expressed similar views."
  8. ^ "Pitch battle". The Guardian. 11 January 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Dons get Milton Keynes green light". BBC. 28 May 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b "MK Dons v AFC Wimbledon: Fans can decide". BBC Sport. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  11. ^ "FA Cup second round draw: MK Dons face Wimbledon battle". BBC. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  12. ^ "A Cruel Beauty in Grudge Match of the Dons". The New York Times. 2 December 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  13. ^ "Cup tie live on ITV". Milton Keynes Dons. 14 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  14. ^ "AFC Wimbledon fans resist MK Dons FA Cup boycott". BBC. 19 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Otsemobor admits the 'Heel of God' was a bit of a fluke". Milton Keynes Citizen. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  16. ^ "Otsemobor departs stadiummk". Milton Keynes Dons. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  17. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  18. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  19. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 0–2 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  20. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  21. ^ "AFC Wimbledon fans blamed for Milton Keynes stadium damage". Sutton & Croydon Guardian. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  22. ^ "AFC Wimbledon heighten security for first visit of MK Dons". The Guardian. 14 March 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
  23. ^ "AFC Wimbledon charged by EFL after failing to use MK Dons' full name". BBC. 20 December 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  24. ^ "EFL statement: AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons". EFL.com. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Brennan Dickenson". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  26. ^ "Tennai Watson". Soccerbase. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Henry Lawrence becomes a Don". Milton Keynes Dons. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  28. ^ "Newsroom". MK Citizen. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  29. ^ "DonDeal: Lemonheigh-Evans becomes MK Dons' first summer signing". Milton Keynes Dons. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Drewe Broughton". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  31. ^ "Roger Joseph". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Jermaine Darlington". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  33. ^ "Michael Gordon". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Marcus Gayle". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Jason Euell". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  36. ^ "Neil Sullivan". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  37. ^ "David Connolly". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  38. ^ "Dean Lewington". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  39. ^ "Paul Heald". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  40. ^ "Jamie Mackie". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  41. ^ "Harry Ntimban-Zeh". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  42. ^ "Mark Williams". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  43. ^ "Malvin Kamara". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  44. ^ "Nick McKoy". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  45. ^ "Wade Small". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  46. ^ "Alex Tapp". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  47. ^ "Ben Chorley". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  48. ^ "Ben Harding". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  49. ^ "Gary Smith". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  50. ^ "Albert Jarrett". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  51. ^ "Jason Puncheon". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  52. ^ "David Martin". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  53. ^ "Nigel Reo-Coker". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  54. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Milton Keynes Dons (2-4 pens)". BBC. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  55. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons - AFC Wimbledon 2:1". Worldfootball.net. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
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