| Other names | Dons derby |
|---|---|
| Teams | AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes Dons |
| First meeting | 2 December 2012[1] Milton Keynes Dons 2–1AFC Wimbledon FA Cup second round |
| Latest meeting | 25 January 2025 Milton Keynes Dons 0–0 AFC Wimbledon League Two |
| Stadiums | Plough Lane (AFC Wimbledon, from November 2020) Kingsmeadow (AFC Wimbledon, until November 2020) Stadium MK (Milton Keynes Dons) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 18[1] |
| Most wins | Milton Keynes Dons (8)[1] |
| Most player appearances | Dean Lewington (11)[1] |
| Top scorer | Benik Afobe,Matt O'Riley,Daniel Powell,Callum Maycock (2)[1] |
| Postseason results | AFC Wimbledon: 5 Drawn: 5 Milton Keynes Dons: 8[1] |
| Largest victory | AFC Wimbledon 3–0 Milton Keynes Dons (14 September 2024)[1] |
  AFC Wimbledon  Milton Keynes Dons | |
The rivalry betweenAFC Wimbledon andMilton Keynes Dons arose from the formation of both clubs following the controversialrelocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes.
For many years the two clubs played at different levels of English football, with the first competitive fixture between them taking place on 2 December 2012 - asecond round FA Cup meeting in which the two clubs were drawn against one another, resulting in Milton Keynes Dons defeating AFC Wimbledon 2–1.[2]
Following AFC Wimbledon's promotion to theFootball League, fixtures between the two clubs have taken place regularly.[1] The rivalry was named as one of "5 of the fiercest rivalries in the Football League"[3] and one of the "8 biggest derbies in the EFL" by commentators.[4] A 2019 study ranked the rivalry 22nd out of the top 30 derbies in all of English football.[5] The fixture has been labelled "one of football's biggest grudge games".[6]
Wimbledon Football Club relocated toMilton Keynes in September 2003, 16 months after receiving permission to do so fromthe Football Association on the basis of a two-to-one decision in favour by an FA-appointed independent three man commission. The move took the team from southLondon, where they had been based since their foundation in 1889, to Milton Keynes, a new city inBuckinghamshire, about 56 miles (90 km) to the northwest of the club's traditional home districtWimbledon. Hugely controversial,[7][8][9] the move's authorisation prompted disaffected Wimbledon supporters to formAFC Wimbledon, a new club, in June 2002. The relocated team played home matches in Milton Keynes under the Wimbledon name from September 2003 until June 2004, when following the end of the2003–04 season they renamed themselvesMilton Keynes Dons F.C. (MK Dons).
"Some months ago I went to the directors of the Dons Trust, the parent board of the club. I said, 'Some day we will be drawn away to Milton Keynes. What do you want to do?'
After a long discussion by the owners, they decided they would not accept hospitality on the day of the game. They instructed the football club board not to go too. The fans are deciding they don't want us to go into the boardroom. Therefore, there will be no hand to shake."
On 14 November 2012, the two clubs were drawn to play against each other for the first time in asecond round FA Cup tie which would take place on 2 December 2012. At the time, MK Dons were an established League One club, and AFC Wimbledon aLeague Two club having achieved promotion from theConference National in 2011.[11] MK Dons were drawn as the home team, with the fixture being played at the club's home ground ofStadium MK. The tie was accompanied by worldwide press attention[12] and was selected for live coverage by television networks around the world as well as being chosen for broadcast byITV domestically in the UK.[13]
Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association, representing fans of AFC Wimbledon, initially considered encouraging their supporters toboycott the fixture, but later released a statement suggesting individual supporters made an "informed decision" as to whether they attended or not.[14] AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson stated that following discussions with the club's owners, board members would not accept hospitality at Stadium MK on the day of the fixture.[10]
A crowd of 16,459 including several thousand AFC Wimbledon supporters eventually attended the match. The first half saw little action, but on the stroke of half-time it was the home side that took the lead with a 25-yard strike frommidfielderStephen Gleeson.
After the break, chances for both sides followed. On the 59th-minute, AFC Wimbledon equalised throughstrikerJack Midson's header, and almost took the lead themselves whenSteven Gregory's shot produced a save from MK Dons'goalkeeperDavid Martin. The match ended in dramatic fashion when on the 93rd-minute, substituteJon Otsemobor's was struck by the ball on the back of his boot, resulting in a last gasp 2–1 victory for Milton Keynes Dons.[2] Supporters of the club later dubbed the freak goal, the "Heel of God".[15][16]
The first encounter between the two clubs to take place at AFC Wimbledon's (then) home ground ofKingsmeadow took place on 14 March 2017.[17] The fixture was a League One match between the two that took place during the2016–17 season as a result of AFC Wimbledon's promotion from League Two the previous season. This was the first season in which the two clubs would meet at the same level of theEnglish football league system.[18] The match was played in front of a heated atmosphere between both groups of fans. Following a stalemate in the first half, AFC Wimbledon midfielderJake Reeves struck just after the hour mark before strikerLyle Taylor added a second soon after to seal the victory. The match ended 2–0 to the home side.[17]
On 30 January 2021 the first fixture between the two clubs at AFC Wimbledon's newPlough Lane stadium took place, albeit without spectators in attendance due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. Milton Keynes Dons emerged from the encounter as 2–0 winners.[19]
In the first contest between the two clubs in front of fans at Plough Lane on 2 March 2024, AFC Wimbledon secured a 1–0 victory following a last-gasp goal fromRonan Curtis in the final minute of added time.[20] Tempers flared at the final whistle with staff and players from both clubs having to be separated by the referee.
The first encounter between the two clubs' Women's teams took place at Prince George's Fields on October 13, 2024, as part of theFA Women's National League South where AFC Wimbledon won 5–0.
Due to the rivalry between the two clubs, there have been a number of controversies and incidents over the years, both on and off the pitch.
During the first fixture between the two clubs at Stadium MK on 2 December 2012, a small plane chartered by AFC Wimbledon supporters flew over the stadium several times flying a banner which read "We are Wimbledon".[2] Following the fixture, a local newspaper reported that visiting AFC Wimbledon supporters were responsible for damage caused to "seating, toilet and refreshment facilities" within the stadium.[21]
There were security concerns ahead of the first fixture to take place between the two clubs at AFC Wimbledon's (then) home ground of Kingsmeadow on 14 March 2017. Due to the street layout surrounding the venue there were safety concerns that groups of opposing supports would clash. Only 650 tickets were allocated to visiting fans. Following consultation between the police and the two clubs it was agreed the match would be designated as a "bubble fixture" with visiting MK Dons supporters only allowed to travel to the match via mandatory coach travel arranged by the club. On arrival, visiting supporters were then escorted to the ground by police. A similar arrangement remained in place for every subsequent fixture between the two clubs at Kingsmeadow.[22]
On 20 December 2017, AFC Wimbledon were charged by the EFL with an alleged breach of league regulations following their home encounter with Milton Keynes Dons on 22 September 2017. The alleged breach related to the club not referring to Milton Keynes Dons by their full name on Kingsmeadow's electronic scoreboard throughout the tie as well as failing include their name on the cover of thematchday programme and only referring to them as MK or Milton Keynes.[23]
In April 2018, the EFL reported that it was facilitating mediation between the two clubs in an attempt to reach an amicable agreement in relation to the clubs' relationship towards one another. On 10 July 2019, a further statement revealed mediation talks were still ongoing but that a temporary agreement for AFC Wimbledon to treat MK Dons' club name in an equal manner to any other visiting club, in relation to the matchday programme and scoreboard, had been reached.[24]
No footballer has played for both clubs on a permanent basis. The following footballers have played for both clubs, although all have been loan signings for one or both clubs.
AFC Wimbledon, then Milton Keynes Dons
| Name | Pos. | AFC Wimbledon | Milton Keynes Dons | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brennan Dickenson | MF | 2013 (loan) | 2019–2020 | [25] |
| Tennai Watson | DF | 2018–2019 (loan) | 2021–2023 | [26] |
| Henry Lawrence | DF | 2021–2022 (loan) | 2022–2023 (loan) | [27] |
| Paris Maghoma | MF | 2022–2023 (loan) | 2023 (loan) | [28] |
 Connor Lemonheigh-Evans | MF | 2023–2024 (loan) | 2024– | [29] |
| Connal Trueman | GK | 2020–2021 (loan) | 2025– | [30] |
Milton Keynes Dons, then AFC Wimbledon
| Name | Pos. | Milton Keynes Dons | AFC Wimbledon | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drewe Broughton | FW | 2007–2008 | 2011 (loan) | [31] |
| Danilo Orsi | FW | 2025 (loan) | 2025–present | [32] |
The following players played for the original Wimbledon club, and later played for either AFC Wimbledon or Milton Keynes Dons. The majority of players who have played for both Wimbledon FC and Milton Keynes Dons were members of the team at the time of the relocation.
Wimbledon and AFC Wimbledon
| Name | Pos. | Wimbledon | AFC Wimbledon | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Joseph | DF | 1988–1996 | 2003 2004–2005 | [33] |
| Jermaine Darlington | DF | 2002–2004 | 2006–2007 | [34] |
| Michael Gordon | MF | 2001–2004 | 2006–2007 | [35] |
 Marcus Gayle | FW | 1994–2001 | 2007–2008 | [36] |
| Jason Euell | FW | 1995–2001 | 2012 | [37] |
 Neil Sullivan | GK | 1986–2000 | 2012 | [38] |
 David Connolly | FW | 2001–2003 | 2015 | [39] |
Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons
| Name | Pos. | Wimbledon | Milton Keynes Dons | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dean Lewington | DF | 2002–2004 | 2004–2025 | [40] |
| Paul Heald | GK | 1995–2004 | 2004–2005 | [41] |
| Jamie Mackie | FW | 2003–2004 | 2004–2005 | [42] |
 Harry Ntimban-Zeh | DF | 2004 | 2004–2005 | [43] |
 Mark Williams | DF | 2000–2002 2004 | 2004–2005 | [44] |
 Malvin Kamara | MF | 2003–2004 | 2004–2006 | [45] |
| Nick McKoy | MF | 2003–2004 | 2004–2006 | [46] |
| Wade Small | FW | 2003–2004 | 2004–2006 | [47] |
| Alex Tapp | MF | 2002–2004 | 2004–2006 | [48] |
| Ben Chorley | DF | 2003–2004 | 2004–2007 | [49] |
| Ben Harding | MF | 2003–2004 | 2004–2007 | [50] |
| Gary Smith | MF | 2004 | 2004–2007 | [51] |
| Albert Jarrett | FW | 2003–2004 | 2007 | [52] |
| Jason Puncheon | MF | 2003–2004 | 2004–2006 2008–2010 | [53] |
| David Martin | GK | 2003–2004 | 2004–2006 2010–2017 | [54] |
| Nigel Reo-Coker | MF | 2002–2004 | 2018 | [55] |
All figures are correct as of 25 January 2025.[1]
| Competition | Played | AFC Wimbledon wins | Drawn | Milton Keynes Dons wins | AFC Wimbledon goals | Milton Keynes Dons goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football League | 13 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Football League Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Football League Trophy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 22 |