MK Dons Women to be integrated into club operations for 25/26 Season.
Milton Keynes Dons are thrilled to announce MK Dons Women will now be fully integrated into club operations as part of long-term plans to expand the women’s game in Milton Keynes.
Day-to-day operations of the Women’s First Team will now move out of Milton Keynes Dons Sports & Education Trust - the team’s operator since 2009 - and be incorporated into the club from the 1st of July 2025.
After a difficult 24/25 season, 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.
A forward during his playing career, Warne signed for Wigan Athletic in 1997. He then joined Rotherham United in 1999, staying with the Millers for five years and gaining two promotions. The now 51-year-old then enjoyed two-year spells with Oldham Athletic and Yeovil Town respectively, before rejoining Rotherham in 2009 and eventually hanging up his boots in 2012.
On the integration of MK Dons Women into the club, Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim 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 in 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, myself and the Board of directors, as well as everyone who works at Stadium MK. We’re at a pivotal moment for women’s sport, this is the right thing to do and we’re thrilled to re-establish and support its continued development.
“This is a clear statement of intent from MK Dons, our Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim and the Board, as well as everyone who works at Stadium MK. We’re at a pivotal moment for women’s sport, this is the right thing to do 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.
On welcoming MK Dons Women into the club's operations, CEO Neil Hart said: “The integration of the Women’s First Team has been a goal for the new ownership group and myself since they acquired MK Dons last summer, so we’re thrilled to now announce this exciting development just nine 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, which will include the appointment of a full-time women's first team manager.
“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 the club's official charity, Milton Keynes 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.
“Finally, a special thank to our Title Partner, Suzuki GB for their fantastic support of women’s football this year. Also to Equity Energies and Concept Clean for sponsoring the Women’s First Team, we look forward to working with you all next season.
“We now look forward to taking this significant step forward, together.”
Further updates on the integration of MK Dons Women into club operations will be shared in due course. If you are a business or individual and would like to support the new-look women’s programme for 25/26 onwards then please get in touch via commercial@mkdons.com
