This is a derby like no other. The two clubs, lying 46 miles apart, face each other on Wimbledon’s territory for the first time tonight. Below we analyse the past, the present and the future of both clubs.
The Past
Let’s rewind the clock and look at where this all began. The story of Wimbledon FC is one that many are familiar with. A non-league club for most of their existence began taste success in the mid 1970s and were invited into the Football League in 1977.
They climbed the leagues over the next decade despite setbacks. They were relegated twice and had to cope with player Dave Clement committing suicide, but despite this they reached the top-flight in 1986.
Their biggest ever achievement came just two years later as they defeated hot favourites Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final. This was the high point for Wimbledon FC as things turned sour.
The club’s board decided in 1991 that their home, Plough Lane, was beyond redevelopment to meet the FA’s rule that all stadiums must be all seater, brought in after the Hillsbrough disaster. The club ground shared with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before being relegated in 2000.
In 2001, the club announced it would be moving to Milton Keynes. They were given permission to do so in 2002 by a commission set up by the FA despite huge opposition from Wimbledon fans.
One Club became two rivals as AFC Wimbledon was born. Trials were held on Wimbledon Common to find players and Kingstonian FC allowed them to ground share. It is a real fairy-tale story. Starting in the ninth tier, Wimbledon gained six promotions to find themselves in England’s third tier – alongside their enemies, MK Dons.
MK Dons, who started in Football League One have been as high as the Championship and as low as League Two now reside in League One and despite a huge stadium have attendances of around 10,000. They remain an established league club and the only positive of this is that Milton Keynes locals now have a team to support. Chairman Peter Winkleman has stated he regrets the way the club was formed.
The Present
Tonight, sees them play on a level playing field at Kingsmeadow, although this may not be AFC Wimbledon’s home ground for long. They have recently been given permission to build a brand-new stadium at Plough Lane, their original home.
This ‘derby’ brings many emotions for both AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons fans. In the games played at Stadium MK, many AFC Wimbledon fans have decided to boycott rather than fund ‘Franchise FC’ as MK Dons have been called by enraged football fans. However, this game brings a different aspect to the tie as it is at home.
The Wombles recorded an incredible feat earlier this season as they overtook MK in the league standings for the first time. They currently sit 13th as MK Dons lie 17th after a disappointing season. Both sides seem set for another season in League One but Wimbledon fans will be delighted to get one over on their rivals and finish above them.
This is one of the factors that makes tonight’s match so special. An away win would put MK level on points with their hosts. For the very few MK Dons fans who decided to follow their side as they moved to Milton Keynes this will be a surreal experience. The atmosphere at Kingsmeadow should be electric as AFC Wimbledon avenge all the hurt caused by MK Dons and everything that that club represents.
The Future
The only way seems to be up for AFC Wimbledon and their incredible story. They now have a fan owned club close to their hearts. This means the fans make the decisions and are open to hearing other people’s ideas. They have planning permission for a new stadium and their club will never be taken from them again. What a remarkable turnaround.
Their new stadium could propel them up the divisions, but success is of second importance to the Wimbledon faithful as they now have a club to love and cherish again.
As for MK they seem to be plodding along nicely. They will never have the history or dedicated fan base of AFC Wimbledon but, however much the football purists will hate it, they do have an audience to appeal to. The potential is there if there is success on the pitch, their cup ties against Man United and Chelsea both drew crowds of over 25,000, but if they start to fail they could fall into financial uncertainty.
