AFC Wimbledon co-founder Ivor Heller has revealed the club originally wanted to be called Real Wimbledon but were refused permission by football authorities. The claim highlights the lingering frustration over the Milton Keynes club retaining the 'Dons' nickname after the controversial relocation of the original Wimbledon FC in 2004.

Heller, who helped found the fan-owned club in 2002, said the London FA gave a blunt rejection to their proposed name. "When we first set our club up in 2002, we went to the London FA and asked to be called Real Wimbledon," Heller said. "We got told a straight no."

The Dons name dispute

His comments come just days after AFC Wimbledon drew 0-0 with MK Dons at Plough Lane, a result that leaves the south-west London side fifth in League One on 11 points. The club has worked its way up from the ninth tier over the past 24 years, a journey fans can trace through our stats page.

Heller contrasted the treatment of the two clubs, questioning why the Football Association allowed Milton Keynes to keep the historic nickname. "So why on Earth weren’t MK told a straight no when they tried to steal the Dons name?" he asked. "There is zero historical link to Buckinghamshire."

The FA approved Wimbledon FC's move to Milton Keynes in 2004, a decision that led directly to the formation of AFC Wimbledon by disenfranchised supporters. Heller argues that while the Milton Keynes club's existence is now accepted, the name should change. He called on FA chief executive Mark Bullingham to "put right what they let happen to us" if the governing body wants to lecture world football on ethics.

Current context and next steps

On the pitch, Johnnie Jackson's side are firmly in the promotion conversation, sitting just two points behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday. Their recent form shows three wins, a draw and one loss from the last five matches. Top scorer Myles Hippolyte, who netted the winner against Doncaster earlier this month, has three goals this season.

The focus now shifts to a key away fixture against fourth-placed Cambridge United on 26 September. The team will look to continue their strong start and maintain pressure at the top of the standings. Heller's remarks serve as a powerful reminder of the club's unique origins as they chase success in League One.

The report in full is at The Sun