Joe McConnell
Pete Winkelman has sold MK Dons and Stadium MK Group to a Kuwait-based consortium led by Fahad Al Ghanim, ending his 20-year association with the club.
The deal leaves the club and stadium group debt-free and has been ratified by all parties following clearance from the EFL.
MK Dons begin their League Two campaign against Bradford City at Stadium MK on Saturday, Live on Vscek+and Winkelman will be given the chance to say goodbye to the club.
In 2004 he purchased Wimbledon as part of a consortium, later establishing MK Dons as a new entity and has remained chairman of the club ever since.
In a message to supporters, Winkelman said: “MK Dons are 20 years old this year and in all that time we have experienced highs and lows, but we have overcome them all together.
“What has become clear to me over the past few years is that, while I am very proud of Stadium MK and the sustainable business we have created, it can only support the development of the football club to a certain extent, without separate and significant investment.
“Over the past year, I have spent time with Fahad and he has convinced me that he brings the passion, determination and ambition to see the club perform at the highest level and has the resources to help it do so. The time has therefore come for me to step aside and hand over the stewardship of the club and the wider business to new hands.
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Liam Kelly felt joining MK Dons was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse and says it’s a project he’s thrilled to be a part of
“There are so many people to thank who have shared this journey, supporters, management, players and of course all our incredible staff. I am also immensely grateful to all our brilliant club partners and sponsors for their unwavering support over the years.”
But now MK Dons are to be taken over by a new group, led by entrepreneur Al Ghanim, who attended his first match at Stadium MK more than a year ago.
He has previously worked in a variety of sectors, including banking, investment, automotive and real estate, and his family owns Kuwait SC, one of the most successful football clubs in the Middle East.
In his statement, Al Ghanim added: “As Group Chairman and on behalf of Deputy Chairman Hamad Almarzouq, it is with immense pride that I can introduce myself as the new Chairman of Milton Keynes Dons Football Club and the wider Stadium MK Group, following the acquisition of the business from Pete Winkelman.
“I would like to be the first to reassure you that my ambition is to build on the fantastic foundations that already exist here in Milton.
Keynes and take MK Dons to the next level, both on and off the pitch.
“I’m sure you’ll have a lot of questions about what will change at MK Dons, and the first thing to say is that nothing will change in the short term, no one will be made redundant and the corporate structure will remain fundamentally the same. Our first focus will be on strengthening the first team to give the club the best chance of promotion this season.
“I firmly believe that the team is in a great moment, I have no intention of ruining the fantastic work done during the summer,
if nothing else, I’d like to add something.
“Over the next few months, there will be an opportunity to evaluate the club and its functions, before making additions where appropriate.
necessary to support the hardworking and dedicated staff already at Stadium MK.
“To the MK Dons fans, who I look forward to meeting very soon: I know this new era will be a change, but it can only be successful with your support, so I ask you all to get behind the club as we enter an exciting new season this weekend!”
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