There is only ONE Wimbledon!

[DixieDean]

from mkdonsclub.co.uk:
NEWS OF THE WORLD ARTICLE
20.06.2004

The News of the World newspaper has today printed an article stating that the name of Wimbledon FC has been officially approved and changed to Milton Keynes Dons.

The supporters club have urgently set up a meeting with InterMK this afternoon to verify the truth behind this statement.

...about damned time!

[ValeTone]

It was inevitable. It is yet one more step towards franchise football following the US model. It once again, totally ignores the fans views. Yet ironically, I guess TRUE Wimbledon fans will see this as the only way they can reclaim their rights. Good luck to AFC Wimbledon - the true Dons. Robbie Earle is King!

[gothamite]

Good. Let them go down in flames and not take the name with them.

Hopefully AFC Wimbledon will be able to reclaim the name, crest, and history of the club.

[DixieDean]

from InterMK:

FOOTBALL LEAGUE GRANT PERMISSION FOR NAME CHANGE
21.06.04

InterMK are pleased to announce that The Football League have granted permission for Wimbledon FC to change its name to Milton Keynes Dons FC in time for the publication this week of the 2004/05 fixture list. The Club’s name will officially change once the formalities regarding the share transfer have been completed and approved by The Football League.

In order for The Football League to allow the Club to relocate, it was required to accept the conurbation of Milton Keynes as its new home. The FA Commission also recommended that the name “Milton Keynes Dons FC” will represent the past, present and future of this proud Football Club and place the Club at the heart of its new community.

It had always been our intention to hold a ballot of our supporters on this issue once we had completed the purchase of the Club. Unfortunately, the much-publicised delays to the Company Voluntary Arrangement have not enabled us to formalise our consultation with supporters and stakeholders in Milton Keynes before the preparation of the 04/05 fixture list.

We hope that the Club’s fans, both old and new, embrace this new name as we look forward to the Club emerging from Administration and kicking off an exciting new season in Coca-Cola Football League One.

InterMK will make a further statement in due course regarding season tickets for the 04/05 season and future plans for Milton Keynes Dons FC.

[Chris M]

It sounds stupid. However at the rate they're going we hopefully won't have to hear of them for long.

[kerpow]

I can't wait for the next season. I'm moving back to London and hope to get to several AFC games.

[basso001]

If you haven't seen it yet, check out MKDon's new badge on the club's ironically-named website http://www.wimbledon-fc.premiumtv.co.uk.

It looks to me like they're trying to underline the fact that they're turning their backs on the past.

b.

[gothamite]

You're kidding me. This is the new crest?

http://www.wimbledon-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/34/a7/0,,10420~370484,00.jpg

Whatever happened to this one (on right):

http://www.angelfire.com/blues/new_yorker/images/Wimbledon.gif

Now I really hope AFC Wimbledon can reclaim the old crest.

[toohyper]

I say burn the man who created that chrest, that is really some ugly piece of crap.

But it was about time one Wimbledon had to change their name...

[ValeTone]

MK Dons should have all references to success and achievements under their former name expunged from the record. It is wrong that they should claim any connection now that the franchise has been moved and the name changed.

Good luck AFC Wimbledon.

[SportBoy333]

How long before the Dons is dropped and they just become Milton Keynes FC

[gothamite]

I give it two seasons.

To whom can we petition to have the rightful Wimbledon club reclaim the colors and tradition?

[sydtheeagle]

I give it two seasons.

To whom can we petition to have the rightful Wimbledon club reclaim the colors and tradition?

I can't personally see why this should be an issue. You'd think in acknowledgement of the bitterness that the whole move has created, the owners of the MK Dons would be only too happy to "return" the crest and colours to AFC Wimbledon purely as a goodwill gesture. After all, they have no tangible value to the franchise that I can see, and anything that starts whatever process of healing might occur surely has to be good for all. If they had any sense, the new Dons owners would invite AFC to play a friendly at MK (and give them the gate receipts in the process), perhaps formally handing over the crest and colours on the night. And then, just maybe, we could all learn the obvious lesson and move on.

[gothamite]

Yes, but there's a catch.

"If they had any sense..." means they won't do it.

I say AFC Wimbledon should make a public appeal. The MK Dons won't be able to say "No."

[Ian51]

I took some pictures during the friendly between Harrow Boro fc and AFC Wimbledon at Earlsmead on saturday. http://groups.msn.com/Harrowboroughfcunofficial/pictures ;)
http://excoboard.com/exco/index.php?boardid=3094

[gaijin]

MK Dons should have all references to success and achievements under their former name expunged from the record. It is wrong that they should claim any connection now that the franchise has been moved and the name changed.

Good luck AFC Wimbledon.

In Russia in the mid-nineties, Torpedo Moscow split up into two teams. Then "Torpedo Luzhniki" and "Torpedo - Zil." Recently Zil were going to be moved to siberia until the russian fa stepped in. Even now the debate rages as to whom is the "real" Torpedo team. I'm not actually sure if the former "Zil" side, now "FK Moscow" count the league and cup titles the old Torpedo side won.

The fact is "Zil" started in the lower divsions and worked their way up to the Premier league.

I kind of agree, but who exactly should own the rights to the team which won the FA cup in '88?

[gothamite]

I kind of agree, but who exactly should own the rights to the team which won the FA cup in '88?

I would say that the club which uses the name should be the club which owns the history.

[gothamite]

Okay, after seeing the new club strip with the new crest:

http://www.wimbledon-fc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/ba/db/0,,10420~383930,00.jpg

I am more convinced than ever that MK must give back the colors, history and crest to the one and only Wimbledon.

[YankeeWomble]

AFC Wimbledon (http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk)

From the AFC official site:

The Crazy Gang versus the Culture Club - again


AFC Wimbledon and Liverpool FC will recreate the 1988 FA Cup Final on Sunday 12 September to help raise funds for AFC Wimbledon and the victims of Hillsborough.

Original members of the Liverpool and Wimbledon teams from the game, including goalscorer Lawrie Sanchez, Ireland striker John Aldridge and the man that thwarted him from the penalty spot Dave Beasant, will play an exhibition match at Kingsmeadow.

The 60-minute game will form the centrepiece of a day of celebration to mark the glorious history of Wimbledon FC that still thrives at AFC Wimbledon.

Other players already confirmed include Alan Cork, Steve McMahon, Robbie Earle, Ray Houghton, John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Warren Barton, Nigel Spackman, Andy Thorn, Jan Molby, Efan Ekoku, Paul McGee, Wally Downes and Ronnie Rosenthal. The Wimbledon side will be managed by Terry Burton.

In addition to the big match, a second 60-minute match featuring celebrities and supporters of the two clubs will take place. The Fans Game will allow 11 Wimbledon and 11 Liverpool fans to bid for the chance to play in the match and be profiled in the programme, alongside a host of celebrities including the likes of Frank Skinner, Jonathan Ross, DJ Spooney, members of Westlife as well as stars of TVs Eastenders and The Bill. AFC Wimbledon legends Trigger and Kevin Cooper will be managers.

The whole celebration has been arranged by the Dons Trust to help raise funds for the AFC Wimbledon ground campaign with a donation given to the Hillsborough fund. Ticketing arrangements will be announced in due course with priority given to Dons Trust members.

Also it is interesting to note that when AFC Wimbledon registered with the London FA they accepted 1889 as the date that the club was formed.

[Los Libero]

It's so satisfying to see that horrible abomination of a club that is the Milton Keynes "Dons" sitting in the relegation zone already. They deserve nothing better.

LONG LIVE AFC WIMBLEDON!