As MK Dons are almost certain to go down this year, and as AFC are doing pretty well not too far below the Conference, does anybody want to speculate as to when these two teams will meet?
I'd say next season MK Dons will go down into the Conference (or fold completely) and AFC will be promoted to it. They will therefore play in the 2007/08 season. That will be quite some game.
I have nothing against MK Dons other than they should not exist, at least not have come into existence the way they did, so them struggling as they are doing is good for football, IMHO.
The plight of MK Dons may highlight the weaknesses behind the idea of 'franchises' - and I'm as against the principle of what happened as anyone - but I don't see how it benefits the game that they should be struggling. Try telling that to their fans who turn up each week. Admittedly, perhaps there is no more powerful an argument than seeing a club actually struggle as a consequence of what happened, but even so, it doesn't feel right to actually seize upon their woes and say it is good for the game.
There are thankfully only two English teams that are perceived by their owners to be Franchises. (MK Dons and Man United).
It is good to see that the fans in both set up teams that have been successful.
Whilst I agree MK Dons will carry on plummeting due to lack of passion. I think AFC Wimbledon will struggle to gain and maintain conference status, even though I wish them luck.
It will however be interesting to chart the progress of FC United over the next few years. If they are successful, and the Glazers bleed Man United fans of their cash, FC United could prove a dynamic succesful alternative that will have a large ground swell of moral and financial support to push themselves towards league status.
Originally posted by T1000I guess you're right, but what I am saying is that a club in their position struggling may dissuade others from dismantling teams for financial gain as it demonstrates the importance of loyal support and not just numbers through turnstiles.
The plight of MK Dons may highlight the weaknesses behind the idea of 'franchises' - and I'm as against the principle of what happened as anyone - but I don't see how it benefits the game that they should be struggling. Try telling that to their fans who turn up each week. Admittedly, perhaps there is no more powerful an argument than seeing a club actually st ...[text shortened]... o, it doesn't feel right to actually seize upon their woes and say it is good for the game.
On reflection I apologise to MK supporters, but cannot retract my point that their club must not be seen to succeed, if only financially, as it may lead to further such cases.
Congrats also to Fans United who were promoted I think this week.
Originally posted by SchumiI know this year is out of the question, but I thought it would be on for next season. I didn't know they were 2 below the Conference though so that's my mistake.
AFC Wimbledon won't be promoted this year, they're only 6th or 7th I think. They're still two promotions off the conference anyway so it'll be a few years before the two teams meet, assuming they ever do.
Cheers
I dont think they will meet quite that soon but maybe in five years time it could be a possibility, no one in that division is relegated yet, last year everyone though that MK Dons were going down but they got out of it on the last day of the season so dont count your chickens just yet lol
Also im not a particular fan of them because of what they have done to the club that was Wimbledon and would definately prefer AFC Wimbledon to be in their place 🙂 well done to FC United too, great job!!
Originally posted by asromacalcioTo be honest I'm not sure how important it is that they are seen to succeed or otherwise. Whatever happens, the same thing will happen again within the next ten years.
I guess you're right, but what I am saying is that a club in their position struggling may dissuade others from dismantling teams for financial gain as it demonstrates the importance of loyal support and not just numbers through turnstiles.
On reflection I apologise to MK supporters, but cannot retract my point that their club must not be seen to suc ...[text shortened]... ead to further such cases.
Congrats also to Fans United who were promoted I think this week.
If wealthy individuals have an agenda, and/or the FA have their minds made up about something, whatever it is will happen. Arguments will be 'found' to serve the purposes of those involved regardless of whether MK Dons succeeds of fails.
For example: MK Dons failing? The anti-franchise crowd will point to the absurdity (at least in this country) of uprooting a club from place X and dumping it in place Y, and will continue to do so regardless, citing the 'removal of a club's soul' as the main reason. The pro-franchise crowd will also retain their attitude regardless of what happens. If MK Dons fail, the pro-franchise proponents will just point to the specifics and say it is impossible to generalise: eg. MK Dons having the wrong manager, underperforming or injured players, the particular problems with Milton Keynes as a place for relocation, the lack of widespread (ie outside of London) support for the original Wimbledon FC.
It's akin to the financial failings of certain clubs in the past, from Leeds right the way down to Hornchurch. These failings (temporary or otherwise) seem to do nothing to dissuade others from following a similar path. Ambition will always outstretch finance (Abramovich excepted), and nor can I see the FA changing.
I guess all I'm saying is I don't think the success or failure of MK Dons re: franchises - or the success or failure of, say, Grays Athletic re: expenditure - will have that much effect ultimately, so in the meantime, for the sake of the fans of the respective clubs, let's hope MK Dons stay in the league and that Grays don't go tits up.