Going to Milton Keynes

[Deleted]

I'll be going to Milton Keynes tomorrow for the first time. I despise them for their franchising, club stealing shenanigans - so what's the score with anti-franchise songs? Do we have any? We should not let the issue lie and make sure they know we haven't forgotten what they did.

[Yorkie]

Sing some songs praising AFC Wimbledon and then laugh as a typical "cant believe its the same town team as saturday" end up beating them!

[NookTerrier]

OR sing songs about town

[townfan4ever]

Mar 9, 2009 17:40:21 GMT 1 NookTerrier said:

OR sing songs about town

Exactly.

The players need our support, we shouldn't be wasting our time singing songs about them!

[Deleted]

Bloody hell, do you not think I'll be going all the way down there on a Tuesday night to support our team? Sometimes I think you can't post owt on here without someone having a go.

[NookTerrier]

It's the same thing as leeds though, they get called franchise wherever they go it doesn't do anything but spurr them on. I'd rather spur our boys on, but for anybody else and you feel free to chant away about MK Dons, i'll save my voice for our lads. Personal opinion

[htfcjames2008]

lee clarks barmy army etc not wasting time on mk dons songs. come on town

[Deleted]

I'm glad they get called franchise wherever they go - what happened was a disgrace and shouldn't be forgotten. I will also be supporting our lads to the hilt but obviously looking at the bigger football picture makes me less of a fan than you. Sorry.

[Yorkie]

And you guys have never sung songs that arent exactly town orientated. FFS give the guy a break. Mk dons are a joke of a team and deserve some stick, the guy didnt say he was gonna just shout abuse at them for 90 mins did he.

[chazza2508]

May i ask what the history is behind this?

[marshterrier]

Mar 9, 2009 19:23:38 GMT 1 @chazza2508 said:

May i ask what the history is behind this?

Found this on't web to explain it all:

Controversial Move

The controversial move of Wimbledon F.C to Milton Keynes started with the search of Pete Winkleman, a music promoter, to find a professional team to move to Milton Keynes and take up residence in a new FIFA standard stadium he had the chance to develop. Despite the presence of four non league teams in the Milton Keynes area, all of whom may have greatly benefitted from Winkleman’s investment, he decided that a professional club would help guarantee funding.

Wimbledon F.C fitted the bill, having moved homes over their history, and at the time ground sharing with Crystal Palace. Despite huge opposition from fans, Winkleman convinced the clubs’ directors that a move to Milton Keynes would be financially beneficial for the club and, in 2002, the Football Association approved the move.

This controversial decision sparked criticism amongst the club's fans and football supporters in general, crowd figures falling sharply and many football fans boycotting matches featuring Milton Keynes Dons. Many rejected the side altogether, forming A.F.C Wimbledon, a new football club based back in the Merton borough.

In 2003 the effects were clearly being felt by the club, going into administration after mounting up huge debts. Despite the presence of players such as Kenny Cunningham and Damien Francis in the team, the club struggled to achieve further success and, in their last season at Selhurst Park, they finished 10th in Division One.

The sale of many players followed, and in the 2003-4 season the club was relegated to League One, finishing bottom after 33 defeats that season. This was the joint second worst record in English football history for league defeats.

The year also saw the club complete their move to Milton Keynes, taking up residence in the National Hickey Stadium. Winkleman, having failed to meet his promise that the move would be financially good for the club, bought the side in 2004.

A new brand

Winkleman continued to attract criticism, following a decision to change the name of the club from Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes Dons F.C. This decision was made, despite a vote by the official supporters’ club committee, where they agreed collectively that Wimbledon should remain in the name.

It was evident that this was no longer a mission to save Wimbledon, as Winkleman forged ahead to create a brand new side, under a new name and ownership. New kit colours swiftly followed, and the letters MKIV were displayed on a new badge, an indication that 2004 was a new beginning for the club. These changes were met with fierce criticism by fans who had not been consulted at any stage in the process.
Letting go of History

The new club continued to produce tension within the football world, raising many questions over whether there should be rules to prevent the ‘franchising’ of clubs. The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) refused the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters’ Association membership of the federation, until they agreed to give up all the history and honours of Wimbledon F.C.

In 2006 agreements were reached over returning the honours to the London Borough of Merton. This was to include Wimbledon’s FA Cup replica, all patrimony the side had collected, trademark ownership and website domain names. As a result of this, the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters’ Association was allowed to join the FSF.

[chazza2508]

Mar 9, 2009 19:28:30 GMT 1 marshterrier said:

Mar 9, 2009 19:23:38 GMT 1 @chazza2508 said:

May i ask what the history is behind this?

Found this on't web to explain it all:

Controversial Move

The controversial move of Wimbledon F.C to Milton Keynes started with the search of Pete Winkleman, a music promoter, to find a professional team to move to Milton Keynes and take up residence in a new FIFA standard stadium he had the chance to develop. Despite the presence of four non league teams in the Milton Keynes area, all of whom may have greatly benefitted from Winkleman’s investment, he decided that a professional club would help guarantee funding.

Wimbledon F.C fitted the bill, having moved homes over their history, and at the time ground sharing with Crystal Palace. Despite huge opposition from fans, Winkleman convinced the clubs’ directors that a move to Milton Keynes would be financially beneficial for the club and, in 2002, the Football Association approved the move.

This controversial decision sparked criticism amongst the club's fans and football supporters in general, crowd figures falling sharply and many football fans boycotting matches featuring Milton Keynes Dons. Many rejected the side altogether, forming A.F.C Wimbledon, a new football club based back in the Merton borough.

In 2003 the effects were clearly being felt by the club, going into administration after mounting up huge debts. Despite the presence of players such as Kenny Cunningham and Damien Francis in the team, the club struggled to achieve further success and, in their last season at Selhurst Park, they finished 10th in Division One.

The sale of many players followed, and in the 2003-4 season the club was relegated to League One, finishing bottom after 33 defeats that season. This was the joint second worst record in English football history for league defeats.

The year also saw the club complete their move to Milton Keynes, taking up residence in the National Hickey Stadium. Winkleman, having failed to meet his promise that the move would be financially good for the club, bought the side in 2004.

A new brand

Winkleman continued to attract criticism, following a decision to change the name of the club from Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes Dons F.C. This decision was made, despite a vote by the official supporters’ club committee, where they agreed collectively that Wimbledon should remain in the name.

It was evident that this was no longer a mission to save Wimbledon, as Winkleman forged ahead to create a brand new side, under a new name and ownership. New kit colours swiftly followed, and the letters MKIV were displayed on a new badge, an indication that 2004 was a new beginning for the club. These changes were met with fierce criticism by fans who had not been consulted at any stage in the process.
Letting go of History

The new club continued to produce tension within the football world, raising many questions over whether there should be rules to prevent the ‘franchising’ of clubs. The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) refused the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters’ Association membership of the federation, until they agreed to give up all the history and honours of Wimbledon F.C.

In 2006 agreements were reached over returning the honours to the London Borough of Merton. This was to include Wimbledon’s FA Cup replica, all patrimony the side had collected, trademark ownership and website domain names. As a result of this, the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters’ Association was allowed to join the FSF.

Thankyou

[pozza]

Mar 9, 2009 14:35:46 GMT 1 @digger said:

I'll be going to Milton Keynes tomorrow for the first time. I despise them for their franchising, club stealing shenanigans - so what's the score with anti-franchise songs? Do we have any? We should not let the issue lie and make sure they know we haven't forgotten what they did.

You dispise them yet your willing to give them some of you hard earned money to help them prosper

P.S - Yes I know your going to support Town, but technically you are feeding the beast

[boothylegend]

Mar 9, 2009 14:35:46 GMT 1 @digger said:

I'll be going to Milton Keynes tomorrow for the first time. I despise them for their franchising, club stealing shenanigans - so what's the score with anti-franchise songs? Do we have any? We should not let the issue lie and make sure they know we haven't forgotten what they did.

Wish it was on a Saturday so we'd take a decent following and get some songs along these lines going. I can't make it on a Tuesday either.

Have a few rounds of;

"Fuck off Franchise" to the obvious tune.
"You robbing, Franchise bastards"
"You've got no history"
"AFC Wimbledon!"
"Winkleman's a wanker, Winkleman's a wanker... lalalala..."

They're the one's that I've heard.

They've also got a stand that they call the cowshed, so you've got to get a song in about that.

[terrier19]

i'll be going to sing town songs and nothing else,

i dislike MK dons but i also have a deep dislike of AFC Wimbledon after they took Kingstonians ground from them and now rent it back to them whilst ground sharing, i'm just waiting for AFC Wimbledon to get to conference level and hope they get arseholed every week

edit to add link

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Wimbledon#Ground_purchase_and_the_debt

[TwigTheWonderKid]

Mar 9, 2009 21:15:17 GMT 1 @terrier19 said:

i'll be going to sing town songs and nothing else,

i dislike MK dons but i also have a deep dislike of AFC Wimbledon after they took Kingstonians ground from them and now rent it back to them whilst ground sharing, i'm just waiting for AFC Wimbledon to get to conference level and hope they get arseholed every week

Well I'm waiting to go to the Franchise Stadium for the first time when Wimbledon play there (if I can get a ticket).
If we (Town by the way) were playing this fixture on a Saturday I would be going to watch Wimbledon play - home or away, proudly wearing my Town AND Wimbledon shirts.

[terrier19]

Mar 9, 2009 21:26:34 GMT 1 TwigTheWonderKid said:

Mar 9, 2009 21:15:17 GMT 1 @terrier19 said:

i'll be going to sing town songs and nothing else,

i dislike MK dons but i also have a deep dislike of AFC Wimbledon after they took Kingstonians ground from them and now rent it back to them whilst ground sharing, i'm just waiting for AFC Wimbledon to get to conference level and hope they get arseholed every week

Well I'm waiting to go to the Franchise Stadium for the first time when Wimbledon play there (if I can get a ticket).
If we (Town by the way) were playing this fixture on a Saturday I would be going to watch Wimbledon play - home or away, proudly wearing my Town AND Wimbledon shirts.

And who would you support? i could never wear the shirt of another club whether town were playing them or not.

A MK Dons Vs AFC wimbledon match would be a complete tossfest with all the TV companies wanting a slice of the action probably followed by a dire game with very little passion.

i see similarities with afc wimbledon and FC U of Manc, and have no doubt that their crowds will start to peter off once a season of mediocrity occurs.

[Admin]

For anyone thinking of going HERE is LindleyTerriers excellent guide to all things MK DONGS

[NookTerrier]

Mar 9, 2009 18:26:45 GMT 1 @digger said:

I'm glad they get called franchise wherever they go - what happened was a disgrace and shouldn't be forgotten. I will also be supporting our lads to the hilt but obviously looking at the bigger football picture makes me less of a fan than you. Sorry.

I obviously said that but yeah, sing all the franchise scum, robbing cu'd'nts and what not, I'm not fussed I'd just like some songs to be about town aswell rather then the opposition. Take it as sour grapes as you wish but it was only a personal comment and no need to get a bit iffy over it.

[gregpot2000]

i cant stand MK don's either, I cant provide a link cos i'm at work....but if you go on you tube, and search for afc wimbledon, there is a report from football focus on around the time it happened, and that wilkelman is on it, talking about how happy he is MK finally has a professional football team. and he just looks and talks like a right smarmy sleazebag, you can tell it's just all about the money for him.

think the video is called "the birth of afc wimbledon" or something similar, well worth a watch

[shbri]

Don't you think we've heard it all before with the 'franchise' stuff?

Whatever happened with the whole Wimbledon / MK Dons thing, it is now history. Remember, it was Merton Council who didn't want to know when Wimbledon were looking for help on moving back to their own area after years of groundsharing at various venues. The club was not stolen, it was forced to move. Winkelman has done a fantastic job for this area. Look at the attendences. We also have the highest percentage of under 16 supporters in the country, and it is continuing to grow. Everyone laughed at his 'vision' at the time, myself included. But it is starting to become a reality.

Im loking forward to the game tonight, got a bit of an edge to it for me, I have alot of family in the Hudd's / Lindley area and spend alot of time on the p*ss up there!! They are S/T holders and we had a great weekend earlier on in the season.......o.k, I did, not sure about them! Im also up for the Leeds game in a couple of weeks for another session.

Well, good luck for tonight. If you are going to sing the 'franchise' songs, I hope you can come up with something original, were bored of the same old crap!

All the best, COYD's.

[htafc4life]

Mar 10, 2009 11:09:44 GMT 1 shbri said:

Don't you think we've heard it all before with the 'franchise' stuff?

Whatever happened with the whole Wimbledon / MK Dons thing, it is now history.quote]

It's not history for the 3000/4000 real Dons fans who are now forced into watching non-league football week in, week out after THEIR football team was stolen from them.

[shbri]

Mar 10, 2009 16:14:49 GMT 1 htafc4life said:

Mar 10, 2009 11:09:44 GMT 1 shbri said:

Don't you think we've heard it all before with the 'franchise' stuff?

Whatever happened with the whole Wimbledon / MK Dons thing, it is now history.quote]

It's not history for the 3000/4000 real Dons fans who are now forced into watching non-league football week in, week out after THEIR football team was stolen from them.

I do feel a bit sorry for those fans, but it's not MK Dons fault. It was their own council who didn't want them. It was their own council who had no interest in having a football club in the area. It was their own council who refused to help them in finding a new home. They could have stayed at selhurst park, but the club was dying. It would have just gone under unless there was a massive change. The change came. Those fans could have continued following the same team, infact, there are a fair few who still do. I cant blame the majority of them for not doing so though. It was a massive change.

So infact, nobody stole anything. And im afraid it IS history.

[boothylegend]

Mar 10, 2009 16:28:41 GMT 1 shbri said:

Mar 10, 2009 16:14:49 GMT 1 htafc4life said:

Mar 10, 2009 11:09:44 GMT 1 shbri said:

Don't you think we've heard it all before with the 'franchise' stuff?

Whatever happened with the whole Wimbledon / MK Dons thing, it is now history.quote]

It's not history for the 3000/4000 real Dons fans who are now forced into watching non-league football week in, week out after THEIR football team was stolen from them.

I do feel a bit sorry for those fans, but it's not MK Dons fault. It was their own council who didn't want them. It was their own council who had no interest in having a football club in the area. It was their own council who refused to help them in finding a new home. They could have stayed at selhurst park, but the club was dying. It would have just gone under unless there was a massive change. The change came. Those fans could have continued following the same team, infact, there are a fair few who still do. I cant blame the majority of them for not doing so though. It was a massive change.

So infact, nobody stole anything. And im afraid it IS history.

There are a lot of clubs that have been in situations as bad, and they've survived and come out fighting. They wouldn't have 'died', they may have entered Admin, they may have been in disarray, but they weren't going to 'die'.

Peter Winkelman saw it as an opportunity to build a football club, in a much shorter time span than actually conventionally building one. If it hadn't been Wimbledon it'd have been someone else. Maybe it wasn't technically 'stealing', but it was certainly taking something that those with the most interest in it didn't want to be taken.

[rage_of_ed]

Mar 10, 2009 11:09:44 GMT 1 shbri said:

Don't you think we've heard it all before with the 'franchise' stuff?

Winkelman has done a fantastic job for this area. Look at the attendences. We also have the highest percentage of under 16 supporters in the country, and it is continuing to grow. Everyone laughed at his 'vision' at the time, myself included. But it is starting to become a reality.

Am in total agreement about this. As a Terrier in Dons' territory, no matter what you think about the conception of the club it is very hard to argue against the job that Winkelman has done for both the club and the local community. He seems very well respected around here and a businessman that spends, but not outside of his means.

Whether you agree or don't, like it or not MK Dons will most likely be around longer than your Stockports, Darlingtons and Lutons. Why? Because like Town, they are under safe, sensible stewardship and have the potential (stadium, fanbase, investment etc) to play at a higher level. I mention the above in name only because they are clubs that are really struggling in terms of financial security at the moment.

I don't agree with the franchising of football clubs but what has happened has happened. I certainly won't be singing anti-franchise songs though - those who do, fair enough - your choice and all, but I'd rather belt out the far more original tune of Smile A While

[pozza]

Winkleman is a wanker.

Simple as.