Why is mk dons hated

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: MK Dons are widely hated in English football due to their controversial relocation from Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003, which many fans viewed as destroying Wimbledon FC's identity. The club was founded in 2004 after the original Wimbledon FC was dissolved and rebranded, sparking protests and boycotts. This move violated traditional football values of community and history, leading to ongoing animosity from supporters of Wimbledon and other clubs.

Key Facts

MK Dons were founded in 2004 after Wimbledon FC relocated to Milton Keynes in 2003
The relocation involved a 60-mile move from London to Milton Keynes, approved by the Football Association in 2002
Wimbledon FC had played in London since 1889 before the move
AFC Wimbledon was formed by fans in 2002 as a protest against the relocation
MK Dons returned Wimbledon's trophies and history to AFC Wimbledon in 2007

Overview

MK Dons, officially Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, are a professional football team based in Milton Keynes, England, currently playing in League Two. The club's origins trace back to Wimbledon FC, which was founded in 1889 and had a storied history including winning the FA Cup in 1988. In the early 2000s, Wimbledon FC faced financial difficulties and declining attendance, leading owners to propose relocating the club. In 2002, the Football Association approved moving Wimbledon FC 60 miles from London to Milton Keynes, a new city seeking a football team. This decision was highly controversial, as it meant uprooting a club with over a century of history from its community. The move was completed in 2003, and Wimbledon FC was dissolved in 2004, with MK Dons established as its successor. Many football fans viewed this as franchising, similar to American sports, which goes against English football's tradition of clubs being rooted in their local communities.

How It Works

The hatred towards MK Dons stems from the mechanisms of club relocation and identity in English football. Traditionally, football clubs in England are deeply tied to their geographic and community origins, with fans passing support through generations. The relocation process involved Wimbledon FC's owners, led by chairman Charles Koppel, petitioning the Football Association to move the club to Milton Keynes, citing financial viability. The FA's approval in 2002 set a precedent that clubs could be moved, which many feared would commercialize football and disregard fan loyalty. In response, Wimbledon supporters formed AFC Wimbledon in 2002 as a phoenix club, starting in the ninth tier to preserve their community identity. MK Dons, meanwhile, adopted a new name, badge, and colors, effectively erasing Wimbledon's history. This process created a rift, with MK Dons seen as a "franchise" club lacking authentic roots, while AFC Wimbledon gained sympathy and support from football purists across the country.

Why It Matters

The MK Dons controversy matters because it highlights tensions between modern football commercialization and traditional fan culture. It has real-world impact on football governance, influencing policies to protect club identities, such as the English Football League's rules against relocation. The animosity affects match atmospheres, with MK Dons often facing booing and protests from opposition fans, symbolizing broader discontent with football's direction. Additionally, it spurred fan activism, as seen with AFC Wimbledon's rise from amateur leagues to League One, demonstrating community resilience. This case serves as a cautionary tale about preserving football's heritage versus economic interests, resonating in debates over club ownership and fan rights globally.