After a challenging year that saw Milton Keynes Dons relegated from the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier to the fourth tier, players, staff, and fans finally have something to celebrate: the women’s team will soon be fully integrated into the club’s core operations as part of long-term plans to grow and strengthen the women’s game in Milton Keynes.
Starting from July 1, 2025, the day-to-day operations of the Women’s First Team will shift out of the Milton Keynes Dons Sports & Education Trust — which has overseen the team since 2009 — and be formally incorporated into the club.
The club states, “It’s our hope this strategic move will increase the visibility of women’s football in Milton Keynes while also improving infrastructure for players, coaches, and staff. The move will also give the club the opportunity to sustainably market women’s football, leading to increased opportunities for investment via commercial sponsorships and improved attendance on matchdays.”
On the opening day of the 2024/25 season, the Dons suffered a humiliating 7-0 defeat to newly promoted Exeter, a stark contrast to the previous season when they had won 2-1 against the same team. The starting lineup consisted mainly of 16- and 17-year-old RTC graduates thrust into competitive play for the first time, under the guidance of interim manager Dene Walsh.
Dons ended the season at the foot of their division with a solitary point and a minus goal difference of over one hundred.
Given the club’s recent drop into the fourth tier, this move represents an important step toward rebuilding. If the Dons can recruit an experienced coach with strong connections in the women’s game and bolster the young squad with seasoned players, they could become contenders at the top of Division One South East. However, it won’t be easy as that division is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the entire Division One structure.
On the integration of MK Dons Women into the club, CEO Neil Hart said: “This is a proud moment for us all as we look to offer women and girls in Milton Keynes a fantastic football club to play for, support and champion!
“As anyone who lives in MK will know, we’re a one-city club. We’re delighted that any women and girls interested I participating in the sport will now directly benefit from a fantastic ‘semi-professional team that represents them, as well as a clear development pathway underneath it.
“This is a clear statement of intent from MK Dons, our Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim and the Board, as well as Milton Keynes Dons Ltd everyone who works at Stadium MK. We’re at a pivotal moment for women’s sport, this is the right thing to do Stadium Way
and we’re thrilled to step up and support its continued development.
“With many incredible women already working at MK Dons, we’re delighted this move will create even more opportunities and see even more inspiring and ambitious staff welcomed into the club.
“The integration of the Women’s First Team has been a goal for the new ownership group since they acquired MK Dons last summer, so we’re thrilled to now announce this exciting development just eight months later.
“We’re very ambitious for the team and what the move represents for women and girls in MK. In the short term, the aim is to semi-professionalise the squad before delivering pragmatic growth over the coming years.
“MK Dons and MK Dons Women have been separate for too long, and we’re so pleased this will now change, allowing for better integration between the sides as one club.
“We would also like to confirm our full support for the Girls’ Youth Development Squads, which will continue to be operated by MK Dons Sport & Education Trust.
“I’d like to thank everyone at MK Dons SET, as well as players, coaches and staff for their tireless work over the years, you’ve made the difference and we’re so excited to build on your fantastic work. As ever, we’d also like to thank the MK Dons Supporters’ Board for their invaluable feedback.
“We now look forward to taking this significant step forward, together.”
The real work now begins — and the Dons cannot afford to stand still.
