AFC Wimbledon angry at Milton Keynes inclusion in World Cup bid

By Duncan Mackay

December 17 – Milton Keynes’ inclusion as part of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup has been condemned by officials at AFC Wimbledon, who claim that it has re-opened the scars caused by the MK Dons controversial take-over of Wimbledon’s place in the Football League.

Ivor Heller, AFC Wimbledon’s commercial director, said: “I am incredibly disappointed that they have endorsed that dreadful decision by allowing the town to be a part of the World Cup bid.

“The FA should know better.

“It is disgraceful.

“There is nothing traditional about Milton Keynes as a football town and it is the only franchise that has happened in this country.”

Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes in 2004 after the club fell into dire financial straits despite protests from the fans who decided to set-up their own club, AFC Wimbledon.

Pete Winkelman who brought the club out of administration changed the club’s name to MK Dons but many football fans across the country refuse to recognise their existence and call them “Franchise FC”.

AFC Wimbledon have steadily risen through the pyramid system and are currently in the Blue Square Conference, one rung below the Football League.

Winkelman has returned all the trophies and cups won by the old Wimbledon to the new club, including the FA Cup they claimed in 1988 when they beat Liverpool in the final, but Heller claims that the decision to include stadium:mk in the World Cup will upset many fans.

He said: ”It is hideous what has happened.

“It’s like getting a slap from the FA all over again.

“This has opened up all the old wounds again.”

There has also been criticism from the some of cities left out of the final 12 chosen by England 2018 to put forward to FIFA as part of its bid.

The decision to choose Nottingham ahead of East Midlands rivals Derby and Leicester has proved particularly controversial.

Nottingham’s bid is based around an as yet to be built 45,000-seat stadium in Gamston that has been opposed by local residents and has divided politicians and planning officers.

A front page editorial in today’s Derby Evening Telegraph claimed the decision to overlook Pride Park (pictured) ”was a bigger outrage than when Diego Maradona punched the ball past Peter Shilton in 1986.

“It’s a bigger disgrace than when Zinedine Zidane butted Marco Materazzi three years ago.

“The World Cup and controversy go hand in hand but seldom has it produced a bigger injustice than that perpetrated by the Football Association yesterday.

“Its decision to reject Derby’s case to be a host venue if England is awarded the competition in 2018 - and include Nottingham instead - not only dashed the hopes of thousands in our city but also defied logic.

“The FA said throughout the bidding process that it wanted ‘low risk’ options.

“It stressed it wanted a scheme that could demonstrate the support of its community.

“It wanted professionalism and to create the right image.

“It could have had all of those with Team Derby but instead, when it made its announcement on the successful cities yesterday, it went for a Nottingham bid that has embarrassed itself from day one.”

Those thoughts were being echoed in Leicester, where the Walkers Stadium was also snubbed.

Ross Willmott, the Leader of Leicester City Council, said: “I do not know how they can call it low risk because Nottingham is high risk by any chalk.

“I wish them all the best, but it seems to contradict what the selection panel said.

“The whole process has been very secretive so it is hard to understand.

“On the face of it, it is absurd.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734892776labto1734892776ofdlr1734892776owedi1734892776sni@y1734892776akcam1734892776.nacn1734892776ud1734892776.