A crushing 7-0 defeat to Watford Women sealed MK Dons Women’s relegation from the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division—an outcome that had long seemed inevitable.
For us fans, this is just another chapter in what has been a dismal season.
In January, the club confirmed the departure of first-team manager Abdoullah Kheir after just a few months in charge. Then, in February, following a change in ownership, the MK Dons Women’s management called a meeting at Stadium MK. Many hoped this would be a turning point—a sign that the new owners had a plan to reinvigorate the women’s team.
Unfortunately, the meeting lacked substance and early on into the conversations it was clear that there was to be no immediate investment. Beyond assurances that the women’s section remains important, there was little indication of a clear strategy. Given the sharp decline over the past year, it’s understandable that fans remain sceptical.
At the end of last season, under Charlie Bill, the team had achieved a record points total and seemed on the verge of breaking into the top tier. But after Bill’s departure, a staggering twenty-seven players left the club, with more departures following throughout the season.
Rebuilding a team is difficult at this level, but when other clubs are moving to a semi-professional model while MK Dons Women continue to operate without paying players, the challenge becomes nearly insurmountable.
Milton Keynes Dons as a club has benefited significantly from hosting international women’s football matches. Chief Executive Neil Hart has previously emphasised the importance of integrating the women’s team more directly into the main club structure, yet it appears this support does not extend to its own women’s team.
I am sure that there are lots of people from within the club who are doing their utmost to hold the club together and stabilise ready for a rebuild but they need support from the very top.
Suppose the new owners have any genuine ambition for MK Dons Women to be competitive in the fourth tier next season. In that case, they must take decisive action by bringing the team under the club’s management and moving it away from its current operation under the charitable arm, the Sports and Education Trust (SET).
The staff within the SET do their best, but the team need to be managed by persons with experience at this level.
The young players who make up the team now have performed admirably, but it’s clear that they have talent and a promising future in the women’s game, but are just not ready for this level. They deserve better than being thrown in at the deep end and deserve more for their efforts than the solitary point earned this season.
Forty-six players have represented the Dons this season. That number is too high. No coach would be able to build a cohesive team with a constantly changing roster.
If the new owners are unwilling or unable to address simple issues about the environment, conduct, and are equally unable to invest even modest amounts of money. It leaves players, supporters and the wider Milton Keynes community asking why the new owners have purchased a football club, knowing that they are responsible for all aspects of the club. For us match going fans, there is only so far that our good will can stretch.
We need everyone pulling in the same direction if we are to hit the ground running next season and begin a rebuild. I am hopeful but they say it is the hope that kills you.
