AFC Wimbledon co-founder claims club wanted to be called different name but were snubbed by FA

AFC WIMBLEDON would have been called a completely different name if co-founder Ivor Heller had his way. Heller and other fans of the original Wimbledon FC were left seething when the club was controversially relocated to Milton Keynes with the FA‘s approval in 2002. Ivor Heller co-founded AFC Wimbledon in 2002 Credit: JUSTIN ALLEN The Dons play at the new Plough Lane in south-west London Credit: Rex And they felt that the ‘Dons’ nickname travelling up to Buckinghamshire was an added kick in the teeth. So Heller set out to send a message with his original plans for the fan-owned breakaway club. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! He told SunSport: “When we first set our club up in 2002, we went to the FA and asked to be called Real Wimbledon. We got told a straight no. “So why on earth weren’t MK told a straight no when they tried to steal the Dons name? There is zero historical link to Buckinghamshire.” Heller added: “They may as well call themselves MK Coco Clowns.” AFC Wimbledon, who are nicknamed ‘The Dons’, have worked their way up from the ninth tier to League One over the past 24 years. Tonight they host MK Dons hoping to continue their run of four unbeaten head-to-heads on the spin. But even a victory would not give Heller the satisfaction of seeing the ‘Dons’ name wiped from their bitter rivals. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK MK Dons’ stadium still bears the nickname of the original Wimbledon FC Credit: PA He added: “If Mark Bullingham and the FA want to lecture the rest of world football about doing the right thing, they need to get their own house in order first and put right what they let happen to us. “I’m not asking to deny their existence. They are there now. But make that name change happen.” Comment now