Controversial EFL team’s old stadium and former home of national side is now headquarters of Network Rail
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THE home of English football's most controversial club is now the headquarters of Network Rail. In it's heyday, 9,000 fans would fill the stadium every week - but before all of that it housed England's national hockey team. The old multi-purpose ground was leased by a club that was going through one of the biggest changes in modern football history.
![[The home of English football's most controversial club is now the headquarters of Network Rail]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/msemail_FKA940jpg-JS958763069_57e5c6.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It temporarily housed MK Dons, who were in League One at the time, between 2003 and 2007 - during the EFL side's gigantic move away from London. MK Dons suffered the highs and lows of relegation to League Two and promotion back up again during that four year stay.
![[It was once the National Hockey stadium before it was demolished in late 2009]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1742685BL006_Hockey_Stadium-JS958727536.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
In summer 2007, the Dons relocated to the new Stadium MK, near Bletchley, leaving the hockey digs without a tenant. It was unused for two years and, in late 2009, demolition began in preparation for the redevelopment of the site into a new Rail HQ, which became operational in July 2012.
![[The stadium was previously used by England hockey between 1995 and 2003]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/0202240PUNIVERSITYHOCKEYFI-JS958727694.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
MK Dons were formed in 2004 following the controversial relocating of Wimbledon FC. Back in the 80s and 90s, Wimbledon's notorious 'Crazy gang' played at Plough Lane in Merton, South West London. However the iconic, but dreaded ground, no longer met the all-seater requirements for Premier League stadiums by 1991.
![[But housed the contentious EFL side for four years between 2003 and 2007]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1742685BL008_Milton_Keynes-JS958727540_5cb6e7.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. Owner Sam Hammam couldn't afford the renovations and sold 80 per cent to Peter Wrinkleman by 1997. Wimbledon were forced into ground sharing with Crystal Palace from 1991 to 2003 before Wrinkleman relocated 46 miles north to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire with the permission of the FA.
![[MK Dons suffered the highs and lows of relegation and promotion at the stadium]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/74142053MT006_League_Two_Pl-JS958728611.jpg?strip=all&w=933)
