DailySun
The recently opened headquarters of Network Rail stands on the grounds of one of English football’s most polarizing clubs.
At its peak, the stadium welcomed 9,000 supporters every week; prior to that, it served as the home for England‘s national hockey team.
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This adaptable venue was leased to a club experiencing a significant transformation within the landscape of modern football.
From 2003 to 2007, it was the ground of MK Dons, who were then partaking in League One during their EFL move from London.
Throughout their four years there, MK Dons experienced the highs and lows of relegation to League Two, followed by a successful promotion effort.
In the summer of 2007, MK Dons moved to the new Stadium MK, located Bletchley, leaving behind a vacant venue.
The stadium stood empty for two years before the demolition commenced in late 2009, paving the way for a new Rail HQ, which began operations in July 2012.
MK Dons were created in 2004 following the contentious relocation of Wimbledon FC.
During the 80s and 90s, Wimbledon‘s infamous ‘Crazy Gang’ called Plough Lane in Merton, South West London home.
However, by 1991, the cherished, but outdated ground no longer met the all-seater requirements enforced for Premier League venues.
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Owner Sam Hammam encountered difficulties with the renovations and eventually sold 80% of the club to Peter Wrinkleman by 1997.
Wimbledon had to share their stadium with Crystal Palace from 1991 until 2003, before Wrinkleman facilitated the club’s move 46 miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, with the support of the FA.
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Numerous supporters were enraged when the club was forced to abandon their ‘Don’ name, their century-old stadium, emblem, and colors by 2004.
A significant portion of the fanbase left to create AFC Wimbledon in 2002 as a non-league club, which is currently striving for promotion in League Two.
At that time, the club hosted its matches at Kingsmeadow – now home to Chelsea FC Women.
AFC Wimbledon marked their return to their original grounds at Plough Lane, presently named the Cherry Red Records Stadium, in 2020, conveniently close to the site of their former home.
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A groundshare arrangement with rugby league side London Broncos began in 2022.
MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon share a complex, yet tense relationship, as AFC refuses to recognize MK Dons.
Indeed, AFC Wimbledon faced penalties for failing to refer to MK Dons by their official name in a pre-match program during their League One encounter in 2017.
No discourse about football’s most celebrated teams could be complete without mentioning the ascendancy of Wimbledon FC during the 80s.
The infamous ‘Crazy Gang’ featured players who ascended from the fourth division to the top tier in a mere four seasons.
Importantly, the Wombles clinched the FA Cup victory with Lawrie Sanchez netting the decisive goal against a dominant Liverpool in the 1988 final.
Nonetheless, the legendary First Division’s most renowned success story had its share of shadows.
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The team’s relentless work-hard/play-hard attitude rendered them formidable adversaries.
Even within their own dressing room, the intimidation was palpable.
Former players Dennis Wise, Vinnie Jones, and John Fashanu have shared stories of severe beatings, widespread violence, and even occurrences of arson during their tenure.
“I witnessed players break down and weep from the abuse,” recalled former defender Terry Phelan.
Even Jones admitted, “We were a band of misfits, a collection of outcasts, many were unwanted. You either toughened up quickly or you fell apart.”
Though Jones was often portrayed as the face of this tough culture, he contends that the environment was already well-established prior to his arrival in 1984, attributing the groundwork to Wally Downes.
Recently, Wrinkleman sold MK Dons to a Kuwaiti consortium led by entrepreneur Fahad Al Ghanim in August.
Wrinkleman was at the helm during the club’s rise to the Championship, before they were relegated back to League Two.
Currently, MK Dons find themselves under their longstanding rivals AFC Wimbledon in the professional fourth tier.
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