A former fan’s sentiment: Neither team in the upcoming match embodies the club he once supported

In their most recent encounter, AFC Wimbledon secured a 3-0 victory over MK Dons at Plough Lane. “It was a solution that came up. In an ideal world it wouldn’t have happened, but we don’t live in an ideal world.” The highly contentious relocation of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes over two decades ago continues to be among the most sensitive topics in English football. This event is vividly recalled by Milton Keynes Dons supporter Ryan, who had been a fan of the Wombles since childhood and served as their mascot during his second match at Plough Lane. He witnessed the renowned “Crazy Gang” claim the FA Cup at Wembley in 1988, an event he still considers his most cherished football memory, and his mother had attended school with club icon Dave Bassett. He had a deep passion for football and a strong affection for Wimbledon FC. In contrast to most fans who now back AFC Wimbledon, the successor club established after the original’s departure, Ryan was among a minority who embraced the plan presented by Pete Winkelman and his consortium, choosing to follow the club to its new location in Milton Keynes. “There needs to be an acceptance this has happened now,” Ryan states, with his reluctance to reveal his complete name highlighting the ongoing animosity between the two clubs. “It pains me to say it but if both clubs are successful then everyone can claim something good came out of the move.” Vinnie Jones was a member of the Wimbledon FC squad that triumphed in the 1988 FA Cup final. This weekend, the two teams are scheduled to face each other at Stadium MK in the initial round of the FA Cup. Ryan does not anticipate this match with enthusiasm, nor does he consider it to hold significant importance anymore. “In truth, the club I supported as a boy won’t be either team stepping out on Sunday,” he states. “The club, in essence, died when it left the Premier League [in May 2000].” Twelve years have passed since MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon first competed against each other in the FA Cup, a match MK Dons won by a score of 2-1. The two clubs have subsequently played 15 additional matches, with MK Dons securing eight wins compared to AFC Wimbledon’s four, alongside four draws. This video can not be played ‘The death of Wimbledon’ – A review of BBC archives detailing the relocation of a football club between cities. AFC Wimbledon achieved a decisive 3-0 victory when they faced each other in their League Two game at Plough Lane in September. The teams are currently separated by two points and five positions in the league standings, though AFC Wimbledon possesses three outstanding games due to previous match postponements caused by flooding at Plough Lane. “Rivalries are rivalries. There’s a uniqueness to this one that you won’t find anywhere else in the world of football,” states BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Luke Ashmead, who previously served as an MK Dons reporter and commentator. “It’s just tempered hatred between the two clubs. Both sets of fans have to tolerate it, there’s no excitement there and it’s not a fun rivalry.” MK Dons defeated AFC Wimbledon 2-1 in the inaugural match between the two clubs in the FA Cup in 2012. Sentiments among the AFC Wimbledon supporter base regarding these matches are varied. While some supporters choose to boycott these games entirely, others attend both home and away fixtures, and a significant portion continues to refuse recognition of MK Dons’ existence. “On the one hand I can’t stand they exist, on the other they’re nothing to us,” remarks Graham Stacey, a lifelong supporter of AFC Wimbledon. “People are very sensitive about the word ‘rivalry’. It’s certainly not a derby, hearing people call it that makes me feel a little sick.” Multiple points of disagreement persist to this day. Residing in Buckinghamshire, Ryan explains his decision to support MK Dons by stating his belief that the league position and the players constituted the two primary assets in the prolonged controversy that resulted in the relocation. Stacey contends that they did not legitimately achieve that league position, while AFC Wimbledon re-established itself and ascended through the football pyramid to reach the English Football League. Graham Stacey initiated a crowdfunding campaign that generated over £120,000 for AFC Wimbledon following damage to the Cherry Red Records Stadium due to flooding. Another point of contention is the name “Dons,” which was the original Wimbledon FC’s nickname. This name is now incorporated into MK’s official designation and is also utilized by The Dons Trust, the group of fan owners of AFC Wimbledon. In 2017, the EFL brought charges against AFC Wimbledon for failing to display the “Dons” portion of MK Dons’ name on their scoreboard and for omitting the visitors’ name from the matchday programme cover during a League One fixture hosted at Kingsmeadow. However, these charges were ultimately withdrawn. “There’s a train of thought that keeping the name reminds everyone of how they came about and is a mark of shame,” states Stacey, who served on the Dons Trust board from 2019 to 2022. “But for me, they should drop the Dons as soon as possible, they have no moral right to it. And while removing the name won’t make it right, it’s probably the least they could do.” Stacey opts not to avoid home matches against MK Dons, although he will not be present at Stadium MK on Sunday. He concedes that the inherent tension at these games contributes to the intensity of the events. “It’s a charged atmosphere. They surely can’t enjoy coming here,” he further comments. “I don’t like the fact we have to host them. It’s a bit different at theirs, it’s probably the only game of the year when there is an atmosphere there.” “I wouldn’t want to set foot in their ground personally.” Ray Armfield, pictured on the right, will not attend matches at Plough Lane when AFC Wimbledon hosts MK Dons, but his son, Peter, does opt to be present. Wimbledon FC vacated their former home at Plough Lane in 1991, subsequently becoming tenants of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park for over ten years. By 2020, AFC Wimbledon completed a full circle, relocating to their newly constructed Cherry Red Records Stadium on Plough Lane, situated near the original ground. Fan Ray Armfield dedicates his time to leading stadium tours at the club and is among those who opt not to attend matches when MK Dons are playing in the area. “I always said I would never go there [to Stadium MK] but when the home games came around in the league at Kingsmeadow I did go, I’ve seen us win and lose against them,” he recounts. “I don’t know what it is about Plough Lane but I can’t go and watch them there, and I definitely won’t go [to the] away [games].” His son Peter, however, does attend these matches and has traveled to Stadium MK. Ryan was a lifelong supporter of Wimbledon FC and part of a contingent who continued to back MK Dons. The match on Sunday will not be broadcast, and similar to numerous other individuals, Graham Stacey, Ray Armfield, and Ryan do not intend to be present, unless Ryan decides at the last minute to go after his morning golf game. His golf companions were all initial supporters of Wimbledon FC who now follow MK Dons. “I love the FA Cup and of course I want us to win but we could be playing against anyone, I’m not bothered that we’re playing AFC Wimbledon,” Ryan states. “It always will be a rivalry but I think both clubs could do without it really.” “This one has histrionics but I do think [in time] it will subside.” For the fans of AFC Wimbledon, the upcoming game will serve as a harsh reminder of the events that resulted in the club’s removal from their community and its relocation 60 miles distant. “It should never happen again,” Stacey asserts. “Now we own our club and a stadium which we’ve built, so we have made good things happen since.” “But the fact we’ve been able to do all this, I think, proves all the more that it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” Pete Winkelman (centre) headed the consortium responsible for relocating Wimbledon FC, leading to its transformation into Milton Keynes Dons. Sandi Toksvig is accompanied by Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Alan Davies. Take the microphone for Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and other artists. Ben Fogle and Kate Humble return for the celebrations at Longleat Safari Park. Covering topics from microplastics in our atmosphere, soil, and waterways, to the volume of food waste during this season. © 2024 BBC. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.