How One Club Became Two Enemies | MK Dons & AFC Wimbledon 

a great respect for AFC Wimbledon fans.

Being a Wimbledon fan, I absolutely love this comments section

Yes, get rid of the 'Dons' from MK Dons, (especially now the real Dons are back in the League), and think of a name that actually has something to do with Milton Keynes the city. MK Roundabouts, perhaps?

Even in France, story of MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon is famous! Thanks guys!

Love seeing Eli on my screen again

I didn't know MK Dons had given the rights and trophies "back" to Wimbledon. That was huge and honestly it does soften the harm they've done to the "true" Dons. In the end fair play prevailed. :)

Ok now I understand why people hate MK Dons. Thank you Copa! :)

"Franchise football is disastrous" Hear that America?

Johan Cruyff was part of the group that tried to move Wimbledon to Dublin and wrote in his autobiography 'My Turn' that he couldn't understand the problem with moving a club from London to Ireland and having an Irish team playing in the English League system. Luckily those with a brain filled with common sense prevailed on that one. No disputing that Cruyff was a great footballer, he's one of the greatest of all time, but when it came to understanding the feelings of others and general common sense he was the furthest from great that it is possible to be.

"And given a Football League side to the local community of Buckinghamshire." I think Wycombe Wanderers might have something to say about that.

this is actually really interesting.

Long live AFC Wimbledon! We stand behind you at Malmö FF.

I'm from Milton Keynes, I'm ashamed of this club.

MK dons, Millwall and RB Leipzig are the most hated clubs in the world.

You can hate the Dons as much as you like but the fact they beat United 4-0 is bloody hilarious

Growing up in MK (from the age of 2) like alot of my generation I already had "my team" long before MK Dons and find it hard to associste with the club that play in my home town of the past 32 years. Like Wimbledon fans, I've been through the ups & downs with my boyhood club Coventry City. Still in very uncertain times and now in a home stadium we don't own with no guarantees on where we will play next season. I attend MK Dons games with my young son who is a FOOTBALL fan, he's not a fan of a club or a player or a brand - we go to watch the GAME - the sport. He has an unblinkered, unbiased, almost innocent view which sometimes I would love to have. Alot of clubs in history have had hard times, money talks and decisions made by people out of greed affects the people paying to watch most. I don't attend these games to fund the team (although ultimately my money goes there) but to enjoy something with my son we both love. I feel for the fans of Wimbledon and just want them to know that the club they loved and enjoyed watching will never be forgotten. I used to enjoy watching the crazy gang as a kid with my dad, staying up late to watch match of they day - some of my best times as he worked so much. MK Dons & AFC Wimbledon are for the next generation, rivalries in sport are what make it exciting.

WIMBLEDON...... My heart goes out to them supporters it was a crime against football, so much respect for the lads that fought for there club, I grew up as a massive Wimbledon rival but, I couldn’t imagine that pain of losing your club, so respect for them original supporters now....

It's incredible that Wimbledon are already in a higher position than MK dons

MK DONS is everything a football club shouldn't be

Wimbledon AFC, As a football fan, I'm glad you came back! I hope Premier League football returns for you and your brilliant, loyal fans.

Won the FA Cup on penalties, you say? Pretty sure it was a 1-0 win.

My Dad always said there are at least 2 things every English football fan can agree on: Don't buy the Sun What happened to Wimbledon was atrocious I agree, I think MK should drop the Dons. Come up with a name that makes them stand out more

Wimbledon won the FA cup 1-0 in normal time I believe. Although Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant did save a penalty as well as making a ton of other outstanding saves against a huge Liverpool side and was made man of the match if I remember rightly.

'To bring a football club to the Buckinghamshire community' Erm, we already had one. Wycombe Wanderers, bucks number one.

I'm a Montreal Impact and Arsenal supporter and have been for years (IMFC: 10, ARS: 5). I discovered this story about a year or two ago when John Green talked about it and sponsored the club. I just loved how the fans decided that they were going to build back their legacy that was wrongfully stolen from them. The rise of AFC since 2002 has been absolutely crazy. I'm 20, so I'm still young and I have time, but I really wish I see AFC Wimbledon become a Premier League club before I die. Only two promotions to go!

I refused an offer to manage MK Dons in football manager even though I was desperate for a job

And tomorrow they return to Plough Lane. What a journey for the dons. Best r yet to come

There are many, many teams with the name 'United', Sheffield United started off as a cricket team in the late 1800's and eventually decided to bring in a football team to replace "The Wednesday', who had relocated to the northern part of Sheffield. There are so many teams that have followed suit and what's frustrating about that is that when you hear the name 'United' you automatically think of Manchester United. We Blades fans have learned to live with that but many still give a polite reminder that the ORIGINAL United is Sheffield United. As for MK & Wimbledon - after several generations have passed, maybe it'll just become the norm and everyone will be used to the idea. For now though, it's still fresh in the minds of the Wimbledon fans and I understand their frustration after everything they've been through.

Honestly one of the saddest backstories of two football clubs ever.

A team for the local Buckinghamshire community? Wycombe Wanderers are in Buckinghamshire and are doing it right. Owned by the fans, for the fans.

If they dropped the "Dons" suffix from their name then fans of every other club might not hate MK so much

I lived in Milton Keynes during this whole thing. I loved football, played it every day, and played at the only "big clubs" in the area, Rushden and Diamonds (once a league side, now defunct), and Newport Pagnell. This was in the few years before the MK Dons existed. The thing about Milton Keynes is that nobody is really from here. The city itself was designated as a new city in the 70s. At that time it was a collection of villages. Milton Keynes happened to be the name of the most central village. It was designated a new city since it's roughly equidistant between London and Birmingham. It was built to house the population overspill of those two cities. Football support follows with families. I'm an Arsenal fan because my dad is. My friends are Tottenham fans, Newcastle fans, Aston Villa fans, Chelsea fans for the same reason. I moved to Milton Keynes when I was 8 and left when I was 18. That means I was raised mostly in Milton Keynes, but I never say I'm from Milton Keynes. There's nothing to be proud of, there's no identity to the city. I'm glad he mentioned the amateur Milton Keynes side in the video, since the way I thought they should have done it was to pump mad money into that team and watch it shoot up the divisions. That could have been something to get behind. The way it played out was an even bigger joke. That's what the team is in Milton Keynes. A big joke. I see more Watford shirts around MK than MK Dons shirts. Let that sink in. A football team is the symbol for a city. They could have gone about it the right way, but instead they imported a team for immediate gains, kind of... they imported a team to make investors happy, who really didn't understand anything about football. I want to make a correction to the video. The MK Dons played in the National Hockey Stadium for the first 3-4 years of their existence. Just a small stadium, which was very much MK Dons' level. Nothing like the stadium:mk which rivals most Premier League stadiums, with room for 15k more expansion, which will probably never be warranted, because there is no thirst for football that can't be quenched after an hour on a train due south. Football clubs in England were established before and between the wars, when people didn't travel, when nobody but the rich had cars. This is when and how the culture of football was established. I think this is why the sports fan culture is so different between the US and Europe; pro teams in America became big after the war, when people had access to travel. Incidentally, Milton Keynes the city was modeled on Houston, Texas; big city centre, sprawling suburbs, grid design, can't get anywhere without a car; an 80s Conservatives' wet dream. That sums it up; Milton Keynes is a little island of American soil in the middle of England (no offense to Americans). Franchise FC is ridiculed by the residents, but completely at home in Milton Keynes, the cultureless capital of the EU.

Dons are going up! And the franchise going down franchise going down!

Do one about Coventry and their bad owners

Good documentary, I'm happy that you stated the drop in attendance in the 90s which was - eventually - the downfall of Wimbledon FC and the opposite with AFC which can now look forward to move back to Merton (the only thing you forgot to mention in your piece).

only 2 teams should be called "the dons". AFC WIMBLEDON AND ABERDEEN

Wimbledon may be MK Dons, but their heart and soul is with AFC Wimbledon

MK Dons possibly about to be a league below AFC Wimbledon now too

It was great what the Wimbledon fans did. I have followed them ever since. I hope the Welly boys still do.

Missed mini documentaries like these. Keep these going!

Respekt to Wimbledon and for the Fans Form a Chelsea fan

If you are above about 15 and you support MK Dons you are all that is wrong about football

Massive respect for Wimbledon from a Pompey fan I heard about your story and what happened to your club it's amazing truly some Loyal fans whoever supports mk dons you're just a traitor tbh it's sick

wow so much respect lower divs in English fooybal is just like old people full of emotions and stories

MK Dons were not the first club to permanently relocate. I think you you'll find that 'Woolwich Wanderers' did so over 100 years ago. A club now more commonly known as Arsenal will always be Woolwich to Spurs fan who were in North London first. COYS

Wimbledon didn't beat Liverpool on penalties! They won 1-0 (Laurie Sanchez goal), with Dave Beasant saving a John Aldridge penalty.

These are the documentaries that I've missed from Copa.

4:22 Correction: Woolwich Arsenal left South London for Highbury around 1919.

Wimbledon got majorly fucked over and I have never agreed with the whole Milton Keynes Dons thing so that's why I have all the time in the world for AFC Wimbledon. I even played with them on FIFA once, took them all the way from league two to the premier league.

Wycombe Wanderers are the 'Old Bucks Boys' existing for over 110 years before Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes. The Buckinghamshire community all got together to support their small local club, but now MK Dons have ruined that vibe. Like if you hate MK Dons!

Wow... My PE teacher use to be Assistant coach of AK Dons. 2006-2011.

I like this guy. Sounds like a nice guy.

There only ever be one Wimbledon. Mk dons a joke should have started in the conference leagues

One of the best videos of watched on RU-vid. Keep it up

As a Wimbledon supporter of nearly 40 years who was there throughout I'd say that's a very neatly put together 8 minute summary. Nice job. one correction though: 1:38 "Beating one of the best Liverpool sides to win the FA Cup on penalties". Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 1988 cup final. The only penalty was during normal time.

both great. One in one of the best planned and fastest growing city(Milton Keynes) without football club. Another humble club( Wimbledon FC) got famous and everyone's darling bcz of sympathy. Goodluck to both and hope for best future

Mostly correct but a few things: 1. Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 1988 FA Cup Final. It was not on penalties. 2. The 3,039 that turned up for the Everton game was in 1993 - long before Wimbledon FC ended so this low attendance was not a marker or sign of the times. A few years later, Wimbledon were FA Cup semi finalists again.

We need more videos like this. Keep up the good work. (y)

I'll always love and respect all fan powered clubs.

leeds fan here prefer afc Wimbledon than crap mk dons hats of to afc wiimbldon and its fans !

Struggle defines a football fan, you can pick whichever club you support but if you don't support them during their struggles then you were never a fan in the first place. Wimbledon fans are a fine example of that. "Risen from the ashes to defy all odds, in such a manner that will surprise all gods." May God always bless Wimbledon in all of its endeavors. *Pint raise from an Everton supporter*

What about Arsenal who permanently moved from Woolwich to North London

Im happy you could follow my advice by showing your face..good one

It wasn't the first time in the history of English league football. Arsenal moved from woolwich (South London) to Highbury (North london)

I remember going to Plough Lane with my dad in the late 1970s. I dont live in London anymore but I have visited AFC ground in Kingston. I really admire what the fans have done. Really hope to see them back soon in Plough Lane, a wrong will have finally been righted.

Im a Leyton Orient supporter and if our Italian owner obliterates us out of existence i'll make AFC Wimbledon my new team. Good on 'em

Respect to AFC Wimbledon supporters👏

Sutton UNITED FAN HERE I SAY AFC WIMBLEDON REAL WOMBLES

Ironically AFC are now one league above MK Dons. And that 'famous' cup victory was really against a Man Utd second string team, like many clubs put out now in league cup games .

Nice piece but as a lifelong Womble, I must point out a couple of inaccuracies. Wimbledon beat liverpool 1-0 in 1988 NOT on penalties (I should know, I was there!). Also, AFC held trials on Clapham common, NOT Wimbledon common. Granted, these were probably slips of the tongue but, well, you know.. PS. Elizabeth Beresford wouldn't even let MK Don's use the term Wombles! Way to go Lizzie!!!

Wimbledon FC (the only Dons) won the FA Cup on penalties. True quality journalism here.

I was born in MK and there was no football team you could call your own Newport Pagnell isn't part of MK so there was none if you're really interested on why read about MK City (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Keynes_City_F.C..) on how they folded my granddad went to Mk City games and when they went bust no more could be done. I was 8 when i went to the first Wimbledon game at MK i didn't care about the move i was young at the time all i cared about was football at 10 year's old i got called scum inbred everything i din't know why i just wanted to watch football.

People never really mention Wimbledon but I hope to see them back at top of English football along with my beloved Forest

My dad used to live in Milton Keynes, I watched the 4-0 win in the stadium against United, which was the first match I watched in stadium, mk dons will always have a place in my heart

Wgat a brilliant,insightful analysis. Every word resonated. Well Done !

Respect to AFC Wimbledon. Screw MK Dons.

Great video. Highlights the rise of both Wimbledon and AFC Wimbledon brilliantly. One small mistake is that MK Dons play in white not red and black which I assume is their away shirt.

MK Dons is sadly just the natural evolution of what's been going in in football for a long time. It started with the FA permitting professionalism well over 100 years ago (might not seem controversial now, I bet it was massively at the time), then abandoning the players' wage cap in the 70s, then came all-seater stadiums and huge ticket price hikes, then the Premier League breakaway (so the top clubs could keep all the money) and selling TV rights to Sky etc, and finally stupendous transfer fees and wages all round. That something like MK Dons was allowed to happen amongst all that is unfortunately hardly any surprise at all.

Love the ground. Went there for a QPR away match. Made me think I wish Winkleman had agreed with QPR to move there. Also I only live 3 miles away haha, how handy

AFC Wimbledon forever MK Dons go home.

Sick channel, wish I'd found it sooner

AFC Wimbledon are staying in League 1, MK Donuts are sinking to League 2. Hope Wimbledon make the Premier League and Donuts keep sinking.

when eli was back with copa90 stories! Amazing

I hope MK Dons get relegated to league 2

wow i knew there was rivalry between the two teams, but never understood why, but now i know, thanks copa

I didn't know how MK Dons formed.. But now that I do, I do question my love for the club

Omg I thought the story was the opposite😭 I thought MK Dons was the OG team, and AFC Wimbledon was the corporate greed one…

Why is everyone so mad about the move? It seems to me that there was no better option for Wimbledon. Their attendance was terrible, they were sharing with Crystal Palace, and they obviously didn't have the resources to make a new stadium.

Good several quotes from MK Dons owner at the end. Very informative piece. Thanks.

Haha finished above you in 2017!!

So that all could of been avoided if Wimbledon got their stadium upto standards, great respect to AFC. Proper fans

MK Dons will never be acknowledged as a true club and it doesn't matter how their fans want to dress it up, it's just the way it is and will always be.

MK is easily one of the top three most depressing places I have ever been to.

Stadium mk has no atmosphere

Copa 90 do have some of the best made videos on youtube, always impressed with the quality

MK ARMY !!!

i am a mk dons fan and afc wimbledon fans are some of the most agressive fans i have ever seen

What a video

I absolutely love these football club documentaries on Copa90 Leyton Orient one was my favourite better than anything on TV on Sky Sports Or BT sport, BBC or ITV. Wish Sky Sports could reach out to you and watch your documentaries and interact with the fans of football more

You’ve done MK Dons and Wilkeman dirty to be honest. I have maximum respect for AFC Wimbledon fans and feel sorry for my old school mate who where avid Wimbledon fans but.... shit happens... Wimbledon could be totally gone if it wasn’t for the move to MK or somewhere else. The idea was for the club to move not split apart (although that was totally inevitable!). Dele Ali and the success MK have had are the proof in the pudding. A new team, a new fan base, and a new culture is rising. Liverpool was formed on the back of people leaving Everton, Arsenal moved from south to north of the river, Tottenham were talking about moving to Stratford, shit happens.... max respect to the real Dons but you’ve done MK dirty here.