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MK Dons have been bought by a Kuwait-based consortium, ending Pete Winkelman’s 21-year reign as owner.
Winkelman oversaw the club’s name change in 2004 and promotion to the Championship before an eventual return to League Two.
The consortium will be led by businessman and entrepreneur Fahad Al Ghanim, who has confirmed he will make the club debt-free.
The Dons, who finished fourth in League Two last season, also won the Football League Trophy in 2008 and have also been managed by bosses including Paul Ince, Roberto di Matteo, Karl Robinson and Russell Martin.
“What has become clear to me in recent years is that while I am very proud of Stadium MK and the sustainable business we have created, it can only support the development of the club up to a certain level,” said Winkelman.
“It is therefore time for me to step down and hand over the management of the club and the entire business to new hands.”
Al Ghanim, whose family owns Kuwait Premier League champions Kuwait SC, said: “Our first objective will be to strengthen the first team to give the club the best chance of promotion this season.
“I really believe the team is in a great situation, I’m not looking to disrupt the fantastic work done over the summer, on the contrary, I want to contribute to it.”
Manager Mike Williamson and his side begin their league campaign against Bradford City on Saturday, a game which marks the 20th anniversary of the club’s first game in the city under its new name.
From Wimbledon to Milton Keynes
It was on 7 August 2004 that the old Wimbledon FC made their debut at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes under their new name.
The club had controversially moved north 11 months earlier after being given permission to do so by the Football Association, creating a permanent division with part of its fanbase.
New MK Dons, managed by Stuart Murdoch, faced Barnsley in front of 4,720 spectators and salvaged a point thanks to Izale Macleod’s equaliser.
A few months earlier, the InterMK consortium, led by Winkelman, which had bought the club and brought it out of administration, had said: “We believe the name Milton Keynes Dons FC will represent the past, present and future and will place the club at the heart of its new community.”
A lot has changed in the 20 years since that 1-1 draw with Barnsley – but one thing that hasn’t is the defensive presence of Dean Lewington.
The 40-year-old will be looking to add to his tally of 816 appearances, which puts him fifth on the all-time list behind Peter Shilton, Tony Ford, Graham Alexander – who was Dons boss for a few months in 2023 – and Terry Paine.
In his message to supporters, Winkelman said: “MK Dons are 20 years old this year and during that time we have been on a rollercoaster of ups and downs that we have all been through together.
“From winning the League Two and EFL Trophy double in 2008 and promotion to the Championship in 2015, to developing the region’s most successful hospitality and events business, we have been able to bring unforgettable experiences to Stadium MK and Milton Keynes.
“Similarly, we have faced challenges in dealing with global events such as the 2008 financial crisis and, more recently, the Covid pandemic, which we not only survived but were also able to host the first live sporting events in the country.”
He added: “Over the last year I have been able to spend time with Fahad and he has convinced me that he brings the passion, determination and ambition to see the club compete at the highest level and that he has the resources to help achieve this.”
“A very sad day for Winkelman”
Analysis, Geoff Doyle, BBC Three Counties Radio Editor
It is the end of an era for the man most closely associated with MK Dons.
Pete Winkelman has owned the club since the original Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes in 2003 after receiving approval from an independent commission.
He moved the club from the National Hockey Stadium to a brand new 30,000-capacity stadium with integrated hotel and indoor arena, but the football team failed to live up to its impressive surroundings.
Having recently dropped to League Two after a season in the Championship, fans have always hoped for further investment to get them to where they feel they should be in a Premier League quality stadium.
Winkelman has received many offers in the past, but has always maintained that he would only sell to a bidder he trusted; “Introduce me to a friendly billionaire” was one of his famous quotes.
We wait to see what the new owners bring, but it must be an extremely sad day for Winkelman who absolutely adores the club and calls it his baby having been there from the beginning.
