The Death of Wimbledon - How a Football Club Moved Cities

Background

Wimbledon Football Club was founded in 1889 in the Wimbledon district of London. The club played its home matches at Plough Lane from 1912 to 1991, when it was forced to leave due to financial difficulties.

In 1991, Wimbledon moved to Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace. The club remained at Selhurst Park for 11 years, until it was forced to move again due to financial difficulties.

In 2002, Wimbledon moved to Milton Keynes, a town about 50 miles north of London. The club's move to Milton Keynes was controversial, as many fans felt that the club was no longer a true Wimbledon team.

The Impact of the Move

The move to Milton Keynes had a significant impact on Wimbledon Football Club. The club's attendance dropped dramatically, and the club was forced to play in lower divisions.

In 2004, Wimbledon was relegated to the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. The club spent three seasons in the Conference National before winning promotion back to the Football League in 2007.

Wimbledon currently plays in League One, the third tier of English football. The club has not played in the Premier League since 2000.

Why the Move Was Controversial

The move to Milton Keynes was controversial for a number of reasons. Firstly, many fans felt that the club was no longer a true Wimbledon team.

Secondly, the move was seen as a betrayal of the club's history and tradition.

Finally, the move was seen as a cynical attempt to make money.

The Future of Wimbledon Football Club

The future of Wimbledon Football Club is uncertain. The club is currently in financial difficulty, and it is not clear if it will be able to survive.

If Wimbledon does survive, it is likely that it will continue to play in League One for the foreseeable future.

However, there is a possibility that the club could eventually return to the Premier League.