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Key information about Stadium MK

Stadium MK was built in 2007 and is now the home of Milton Keynes Dons. The ground is located in the Denbigh district of Bletchley in Milton Keynes and also houses the club’s women’s team as well.

Its capacity stands at 30,500 and the pitch measures 105m by 68m. The surface of the field is covered with Desso GrassMaster’s hybrid turf and has undersoil heating installed with no running track surrounding it.

The record attendance at Stadium MK was set during the 2015 Rugby World Cup clash between Fiji and Uruguay when 30,048 supporters came to watch the match.

A history of Stadium MK

Stadium MK has quite a convoluted history behind it. The town of Milton Keynes had always had a vision of their own stadium and the initial ideas were proposed back in 2000, at the turn of the millennium. However, the problem was that there was no football club in the city and the highest-ranked team there were Milton Keynes City who played in the eighth-tier Spartan South Midlands League, four divisions below the Football League.

So without a club whose tenancy would actually warrant the building of a brand new stadium, they proposed a plan in which they would simply relocate one of the other clubs to Milton Keynes and settle them at the new ground. That team ended up being the famous Wimbledon FC. This would also help the club with their difficult financial situation and would follow a series of events that saw them first go into administration before being saved by Pete Winkelman, their current chairman, who essentially secured all the necessary funds to keep them alive.

Winkelman’s Inter MK Group bought Wimbledon FC in June 2004 and proceeded to change their name, badge and colours. And so, Milton Keynes Dons FC, more commonly known as MK Dons, were born. They would continue playing at the National Hockey Stadium until the Stadium MK was finally finished in 2007 and opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

On 18 July, the new ground hosted its first ever game as the home side welcomed a young Chelsea XI, even prior to the official opening. That was a restricted-entrance event and for the first five years, only the lower tier of 22,000 was open for the fans.

Now, MK Dons are the only real tenants at the ground but it was also used for other purposes over the years, including rugby and Milton Keynes Dons Women’s games from 2018 onward.

The record attendance for a football match at Stadium MK was set on 25 September 2019 when 28,521 supporters watched MK Dons lose 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup 3rd Round. However, the stadium’s overall record attendance of 30,048 people stems from the 2015 Rugby World Cup clash between Fiji and Uruguay and is yet to be broken.

Tickets to watch MK Dons play at Stadium MK

All tickets to watch MK Dons play at Stadium MK can be found on the club’s official website. The adult tickets cost between £22 and £32 with the price varying depending on the location in the stands.

MK Dons also offer season tickets as well as memberships that can get you a discount. More information can be found on the aforementioned website.

Related Links

https://www.mkdons.com/ – Official website of MK Don

https://mkdons.pvxgateway.com/buy-tickets-2/ – MK Dons Ticket Office

Glasgow Rangers may be looking forward to the new season, but that is only after being embroiled in the chaos that has wreaked havoc across Scottish football over the past few weeks and months.

The Gers have mainly been at loggerheads with the SPFL, accusing them of corruption following their handling of the resolution proposal after the term was brought to a premature close. They even pushed for an independent investigation into the governing body, but they were forced to walk away with their tail between their legs when only 12 other sides backed their calls.

The SPFL remain under pressure as they now face Hearts and Partick Thistle before an arbitration panel as the two sides attempt to see their relegations overturned. Now, they have been hit by even more bad news, with Motherwell chief executive Alan Burrows confirming that he will be stepping down from the authority’s board after just two years.

This has attracted plenty of attention from the Gers’ supporters, and they have taken the opportunity to slam both the SPFL and Burrows himself. They have shared their thoughts on Twitter, and you can see some of the best comments from the social media platform below.

Let us know what you think!

Talk about rounding off the campaign in style. After clinching automatic promotion last week, Leeds romped to a 4-0 victory over Charlton in their final Championship game of the season.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were in celebratory mood at Elland Road, and delivered the kind of vintage attacking performance that has been the hallmark of their impressive campaign.

Goals from Ben White, Stuart Dallas, Tyler Roberts and Jamie Shackleton sealed a comprehensive victory for the Whites, but one man in particular proved once again why he is one of Bielsa’s personal favourites.

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Dallas has been the ever-reliable figure in this Leeds starting eleven, playing numerous different positions, and never really letting the side down. He missed just the one Championship game all season, and played in five different roles, including both full-back positions and central midfield too.

It was no surprise that earlier this campaign, Bielsa waxed lyrical about the 29-year-old, saying: “It’s not usual to find a player like that. He can play on both sides, even if he’s right-footed. He has the agility of a winger and is powerful as a defender. Technically, he’s a complete player. He has enough aerial play to play on every level of the pitch. Even if he’s a player of the sides, when he has to play in the centre he doesn’t have problems.”

And against Charlton on Wednesday night, Dallas was every bit of the all-action star that Leeds have come to know and love.

As per Sofascore, aside from scoring his goal, the versatile ace had four attempts on goal, a 100% dribble success rate, 85 touches and provided four key passes. Not to mention the fact he also contributed defensively too, making one tackle and one interception a piece, and making three clearances.

Dallas is Leeds’ Swiss army knife, capable of doing multiple things very well. The kind of under-rated player that you can reliably build a side with, knowing you’ll get a consistent standard of performance from them week-in and week-out.

Celtic have confirmed their signing of West Ham striker Albian Ajeti on a permanent deal.

What’s the word?

Despite only arriving last summer, Ajeti barely featured for the Hammers in his debut campaign in English football, making just 12 appearances across all competitions.

Now, Scottish giants Celtic have confirmed that they have ended the Switzerland international’s misery, with the terms of the deal actually undergoing a late change.

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Sky Sports have revealed the Bhoys were initially prepared to sign him on loan with an option to buy, but this was then changed to a permanent deal, costing £5m.

Another GSB disaster

Talk about an unmitigated disaster.

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The Hammers spent a reported £8m to sign Ajeti from Basel last summer, handing him a bumper £60k-per-week contract. For him to then play just 12 games in total under both Manuel Pellegrini and then David Moyes speaks volumes of how poor of a signing the Swiss ace was.

After splashing out a club-record fee to sign Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt, GSB surely needed a more Premier League-proven option to provide back-up to the Frenchman in his own first season in England.

Instead, the two strikers they bought both had to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, and neither could really adjust quick enough to shoulder the goal-scoring burden.

In the end, Ajeti cost a whopping £11.1m in total for West Ham (combined transfer fee and wages for the year). With all the criticism GSB have faced over the years from loyal Hammers fans, this latest news is just another reminder of how badly they’ve let the club down again.

Everton didn’t finish last season in quite the way many fans would have hoped or expected.

After the sacking of Marco Silva, the club appointed veteran Italian Carlo Ancelotti, and in doing so had real hopes of still mustering something from their season.

Ancelotti had a strong start to life at Goodison – with real hopes of pushing for a European football spot, but form dropped off and the break during the season due to COVID-19 meant that upon the leagues return, the Toffees failed to regain any form, and finished in 12th place.

This summer spells big ambitions for the Toffees, and the fans will be expecting money to be spent – which Ancelotti will likely be hoping to do as well ahead of his first full season at the club. Everton have been linked with an abundance of players over recent weeks – but which ones would be realistic signings for them to make?

Mehmet Zeki Çelik

The Turkish right-back has been in fine form for French outfit Lille of recent – and has been linked with a move to the Toffees over recent weeks. Having played 23 league games for Lille this season, Çelik has averaged 2.3 tackles per game, as well as 1.4 clearances.

The player also bodes well in attack too, with 2 goals and four assists in that time too.

With the on-loan Djibril Sidibe now back at parent club AS Monaco, the Toffees will need to find a replacement, with the aging Seámus Coleman the clubs only senior right-back of choice – and going by his stats, Çelik would be a great option and fit for Everton, with Lille valuing him at around £18 million.

Sergio Reguilón

The 23-year-old has been on loan to Sevilla this season, from parent club Real Madrid. The Toffees have recently been in contact with Madrid, and have even reportedly tabled an offer of £18 million for the young Spaniard’s services. Reguilón played 31 league games for Sevilla last season – averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.8 interceptions, 1.6 clearances per games, as well as a 7.10/10 WhoScored match rating.

The club’s current options at left-back sit solely with Lucas Digne after club legend Leighton Baines retired from football at the end of the 2019/20 season – and the signing of a player with Reguilón’s ability would be welcome competition for Digne.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

The Frenchman’s name is one that Everton fans wouldn’t have forgotten, having been relegated with Watford at the end of last season – leaving many Premier League clubs circling like sharks around the Hertfordshire club for the players signature.

Last season wasn’t one of Doucouré’s best in a Watford shirt, but his overall numbers make for easy understanding as to why the Toffee’s would want to sign him.

The Frenchman averaged 1.7 tackles per game from midfield this season, as well as winning 1.5 aerial duels per game, with a 78.4% pass success rate. Doucouré would work out as a great replacement for the departed Morgan Schneiderlin, who left for OGC Nice just last month, with the Watford players market value at £18 million.

Allan

Another fantastic midfield option comes with Brazilian midfielder Allan. The 29-year-old has been at Italian club Napoli since 2015, and was previously managed by current Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti during his time at the club.

The club had previously stated their interest during the January transfer window but were put off by the reported £36 million price tag at the time.

Recent changes, however, have meant that it has now been reported that the club could secure the midfielder for as little as £22.5 million – and Ancelotti is keen to make it happen to bolster his squad ahead of next season. Allan has averaged 2.2 tackles per game in the league this season and would bring a needed grit and aggression that would benefit Everton’s midfield.

Joshua King

After Bournemouth’s relegation from the Premier League last season, Norwegian striker Joshua King is expected to leave the club this summer.

Last season didn’t prove great for the striker, with just 6 goals in 26 league appearances – but had a strong finish to the season with 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 8 games (via WhoScored).

It has been reported that the club is looking to sign King for just £15 million to add some further strike force to his side, and he could even become a replacement for Richarlison, who has caused a stir after his recent comments about his Everton future.

According to The Athletic, Watford captain Troy Deeney is a “possible alternative” for Tottenham as they search for a new striker in this summer transfer window.

What’s the word?

Jose Mourinho’s side have been linked with a whole host of centre-forwards in the past few weeks, with one of those reported targets, Ollie Watkins, joining fellow Premier League outfit Aston Villa.

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The Athletic have revealed that Watkins’ asking price was deemed far too excessive, and that Spurs “now accept that a signing from abroad may be more realistic”.

The report adds that the £65k-a-week earning Deeney is seen as a potential option for the Lilywhites, and that whilst they don’t have a main target right now, they are confident of bringing a new striker in before the end of the window.

Another leader for Mourinho

With the signings of both Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Matt Doherty, Spurs have made a conscious effort to add Premier League hardened players to their squad.

In Deeney, Mourinho would have another leader in his ranks, one who can be a vocal presence on the pitch and off it.

The striker’s teammate at Watford, Will Hughes, said: “Everyone knows what Troy’s like as a captain. He’s very vocal, he gets the best out of players and on big occasions like today to have the bottle to take the two penalties and score them both says a lot about him. He’s been brilliant keeping us going, not letting us drop our heads and you need players like him in the team if you’re going to avoid relegation.”

Earlier this year in Watford’s 0-0 draw with Spurs, Deeney proved himself to be a huge handful for both Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, bullying them into submission. As per Sofascore, the veteran centre-forward won a mammoth 25 duels, with 20 of those coming in just aerial battles.

Spurs’ two Belgian defenders on the day combined for just eight duels won, whilst they lost possession 25 times. The Lilywhites would be getting a completely different striker to Harry Kane, and that, coupled with his leadership qualities, makes him a perfect bargain for Mourinho.

According to an exclusive report from Manchester Evening News (MEN), Leicester City currently lead the race for Bournemouth winger David Brooks, even ahead of Premier League giants Manchester United as Brendan Rodgers eyes a second summer signing. 

As the 2020/21 campaign looms large, with winger Brooks reportedly at the centre of Leicester’s transfer plans, Rodgers and co have taken significant strides in the race for his signature. leapfrogging United as the Foxes search for a dangerous winger.

Bournemouth’s relegation to the Championship has resulted in top-flight clubs cherry-picking their squad for talent, with Callum Wilson, Nathan Ake, Aaron Ramsdale and Ryan Fraser all heading out the exit door so far.

Now, as per MEN, Brooks may be another talent leaving the south coast for pastures new, and Leicester are reportedly keen admirers.

WhoScored detail that the Welshman’s best season, back in 2018/19, could be incentive enough to make a swoop, with Brooks averaging an impressive 1.4 shots and one key pass per game. By comparison with the 2019/20 Leicester squad, that is more efforts on goal per match than Marc Albrighton and a greater number of key passes per game than Jamie Vardy.

Described as ‘very intelligent’ with ‘non-stop energy’ by former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, the youngster is clearly highly-rated (Sky Sports).

MEN reported that Brooks ‘expects’ to receive an offer from Rodgers and co over the ‘coming weeks’, and the versatile international could be a force both on the flank and in central midfield.

However, as the report explains, Brooks may also cost up to a whopping £35m, and it is currently unclear whether Leicester will pay that fee or try to negotiate a cheaper deal.

Leicester fans, would David Brooks be an ideal second summer signing after Timothy Castagne? Join the discussion by commenting below…

After suffering a surprise exit from the Carabao Cup against Stoke City in mid-week, Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Sunday night as they take on reigning champions Liverpool.

Dean Smith’s side have started the league campaign superbly, with two wins from two, scoring four goals, and conceding exactly none. Their defeat against Stoke however may have dampened the mood slightly, although the Villa boss arguably won’t be too fussed with his side bowing out of the competition at the last 16 stage.

Smith made numerous changes to his starting line-up for the game against the Potters, and will no doubt revert back to a far stronger team for the visit of Liverpool.

Below is a look at just how Villa could take to the field on Sunday.

In goal, summer signing Emiliano Martinez is likely to resume duties as Smith’s main man in between the sticks, with cup goalkeeper Jed Steer moving back to the bench.

In front of the former Arsenal man, the Villa manager will be keen to stick with the same back-line that has served him so well early on in this Premier League season, so expect to see Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and Matt Targett reclaim their spots.

Despite bringing in Ross Barkley from Chelsea on a season-long loan, a clash against Liverpool may not be the time or place for Villa to throw him right into the deep end, with Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Connor Hourihane likely to get the nod. The England international should however be on the bench.

Smith also has a bit of a headache when it comes to who he chooses for the right-wing berth, with Bertrand Traore already scoring for his new club and showing why he could be a superb acquisition for them. If the Villa boss decides the former Lyon man could provide that spark of magic in a game where they’re likely to see less of the ball, that could swing things in the Burkina Faso international’s favour. The £8.5m Trezeguet will be the man to make way from last weekend’s game against Fulham.

And joining Traore in attack, captain Jack Grealish and another big-money summer signing, Ollie Watkins, will be hoping to get off the mark for Villa.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Hourihane; Traore, Grealish, Watkins.

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has opened up on what it’s like being the skipper of his boyhood club and his thoughts on signing a new five-year deal at Villa Park.

The 25-year-old was instrumental at the weekend as Dean Smith’s side thumped Premier League champions Liverpool 7-2, scoring twice and providing three assists during the 90 minutes in a sensational result at Villa Park.

Sunday’s game capped off what has been a wonderful few months for Grealish, having recently signed a new contract with Villa and being selected to play for England once again after making his Three Lions debut last month.

The club have also made moves in the transfer market, bringing in Chelsea’s Ross Barkley on loan until the end of the season to add strength in depth to the midfield.

Despite this, Grealish told Standard Sport that he doesn’t think about pressure at Villa negatively. “I think it’s a good thing to have and there is only one reason why you would have a lot of pressure on yourself,” he said.

“I always put a lot of pressure on myself to perform. Me being the captain, the local lad at Villa, there is a fair bit on me. This is all I’ve wanted to do my whole life.”

Grealish went on to talk about what he felt was best for him at this stage of his career, saying: “Staying at Villa was the best thing for me. I’ve had a lot of pressure. It is something that I thrive off and I enjoy.”

These comments could really please Villa fans. Grealish is not just another player in the first team that will come and go in a few years – he evidently adores this football club.

Being called up to play for the national team is the least that the Villa skipper deserves. The fact that he chose to stay in the Midlands, having been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, is enough to delight the Villa Park faithful. This is the icing on the cake.

Villa head into the international break in an extraordinarily healthy position – unbeaten in the Premier League with a 100% record, beating last season’s champions and with their captain signing a new deal.

It’s a good time to be a Villa fan. With a long journey ahead of them this season, it will be interesting to see whether they can keep this up until May.

Villa fans, what are your thoughts on what Jack Grealish said? Join the conversation by commenting below…

Go Ahead Eagles youngster Jay Idzes has revealed that his ‘dream’ is to play for Liverpool at some point during his career.

Idzes has a dream

The 20-year-old Dutch midfielder is currently playing his football in the Dutch second tier after making the move from FC Eindhoven in the summer for £315,000 (via TransferMarkt). Idzes has scored once from his first eight appearances and has already set sights on what he plans to do next, having caught the eye from his first handful of outings.

Jurgen Klopp has always been open to playing youth players in the first team, with Curtis Jones being a key part of the Reds’ cup runs and making his Champions League debut during Wednesday’s 1-0 victory against Ajax.

Like any youngster, Idzes admitted that there was only one place that he wanted to play before his calls time on his career in the future.

“As a kid, I didn’t have to become an astronaut or anything, because it was always soccer, soccer, soccer with me,” he told Voetbal Zone.

“And then I don’t even care what level I have reached. Of course, I dream of Liverpool, but I will have to show how far I can get.”

Hard work starts now

Idzes’ ambition in the game is admirable but making his dream come true while playing in the Keuken Campioen Divisie is not realistic. Ideally, a move to the Eredivisie and to a club that is playing in Europe on a regular basis could make the Anfield scouts stop in their tracks and take notice of his talent.

At this time, the Dutchman has a long way to go and must continue working hard to convince Klopp that he would fit into his team.

With Liverpool having signed Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle last season, it shows that the Merseysiders are interested in players located in that part of the market. Now, Idzes just need to get himself noticed.

In other news, former England international believes Liverpool will have to fork out for £54m talent.