2007–08 Milton Keynes Dons F.C. season

The 2007–08 season was the fourth season of competitive association football in the Football League played by Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, a professional football club based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. Their fourth-place finish in 2006–07 and loss to Shrewsbury Town in the play-offs meant it was their second successive season in League Two. After the closure of the National Hockey Stadium this was the first season where the MK Dons played home fixtures at Stadium mk. The season ran from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.

Milton Keynes Dons
2007–08 season
ChairmanPete Winkelman
ManagerPaul Ince
StadiumStadium mk
League Two1st (promoted to League One)
FA CupFirst round
League CupSecond round
League TrophyWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Mark Wright (13)
All: Mark Wright (15)
Highest home attendance17,250 (vs Morecambe)
3 May 2008, League Two
Lowest home attendance5,087 (vs Peterborough United)
9 October 2007, League Trophy R2
Average home league attendance9,456[1]
Biggest win5–0 (vs Accrington Stanley)
8 December 2007, League Two
Biggest defeat0–2 (vs Stockport County)
27 October 2007, League Two

Paul Ince, starting his first season as Milton Keynes Dons manager, made nine permanent summer signings. After the eighth round of League Two fixtures the MK Dons reached first place and occupied this spot in thirty-seven of the remaining thirty-eight game weeks; they ended the season as champions of the twenty-four-team 2007–08 Football League Two. MK Dons also won their first national knockout competition, with a 2–0 victory over Grimsby Town at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 Football League Trophy Final. They lost in their opening round match in the 2007–08 FA Cup, and were eliminated in the second round of the Football League Cup.

Thirty-one players made at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, and there were sixteen different goalscorers. Defender Dean Lewington missed only two of the fifty-five first-team matches over the season. Mark Wright finished as leading scorer with fifteen goals, of which thirteen came in league competition and two came in the Football League Trophy. Keith Andrews won the Football League Two Player of the Year Award.[2]

Background and pre-season
See also: Milton Keynes Dons F.C. § History, and List of Milton Keynes Dons F.C. seasons
The 2007–08 season saw the Milton Keynes Dons move into Stadium mk.

The 2006–07 season was Martin Allen first season as manager of Milton Keynes Dons, after Danny Wilson was sacked at the end of the 2005–06 season for failing to save the club from relegation to League Two. Having been second come the start of 2007, the team finished in fourth-place in the 2006–07 Football League Two – one point below an automatic promotion place; this meant that the team participated in the League Two play-offs. MK Dons were beaten 2–1 on aggregate by Shrewsbury Town in the play-off semi-final. In May 2007 Allen moved on to manage Championship side Leicester City after both clubs had negotiated a compensation package.

Ahead of 2007–08, MK Dons released Adolfo Baines, Lee Harper, Junior Lewis, Nick Rizzo, Jamie Smith and Oliver Thorne. Players sold were Paul Butler to Chester City, Dominic Blizzard to Stockport County, Gary Smith to Brentford, Izale McLeod to Charlton Athletic and Clive Platt to Colchester United. Milton Keynes Dons made nine summer signings, those being goalkeepers Nathan Abbey from Brentford and Willy Guéret from Swansea City; defender Jude Stirling from Peterborough United; midfielders Colin Cameron from Coventry City, Luke Howell from Gillingham, Alan Navarro from Macclesfield Town and Mark Wright from Walsall; and forwards Drewe Broughton from Chester City and Kevin Gallen from Queens Park Rangers.

Summary and aftermath
Dean Lewington made the most appearances for the club in the 2007–08 season.

On 29 September 2007 Milton Keynes Dons reached first place and stayed there for the rest of the season except for one game week. The lowest position the club occupied was 19th after the first round of fixtures. For the first time in their history, the MK Dons had a better record away than at home in the league. The team won 18 matches, drew three and lost two away, compared to winning 11, drawing seven and losing five at home. Dean Lewington recorded the highest number of appearances during the season, appearing in 53 of the MK Dons' 55 matches. Mark Wright was the Dons' top scorer in the league and in all competitions, with 11 league goals and 15 in total. Three other players, Keith Andrews, Lloyd Dyer and Aaron Wilbraham, reached double figures.

As a result of their promotion the Milton Keynes Dons returned to Football League One after two seasons in League Two. Prior to the club's return to League One, the MK Dons released Drewe Broughton, Matt Carbon, Sam Collins, Liam Kelly, Jake Livermore and Kieran Murphy, while Mustapha Carayol, Lloyd Dyer and Gareth Edds left on their own accord for Torquay United, Leicester City and Tranmere Rovers. New players to join were midfielders Flavien Belson from FC Metz, Peter Leven from Chesterfield and Florian Sturm from FC Vaduz.

Competitions

League Two
Main article: 2007–08 Football League Two

Final table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1Milton Keynes Dons (C,P)46261078237+4597
2Peterborough United (P)46288108443+4192
3Hereford United (P)462610107241+3188
4Stockport County (P)462410127254+1882
5Rochdale462311127754+2380

Source: Sky Sports

Matches

Win Draw Loss
Date Opponent Venue Result Scorers Attendance Position Ref
11 August 2007 – 15:00BuryHome1–2Andrews7,74019[3]
18 August 2007 – 15:00Macclesfield TownAway3–3Andrews, Knight, Cameron2,25717[4]
25 August 2007 – 15:00Shrewsbury TownHome3–0Knight, Wilbraham, Dyer7,38010[5]
1 September 2007 – 15:00RochdaleAway2–3Gallen (2)2,74312[6]
7 September 2007 – 19:45Notts CountyHome3–0Andrews, Swailes, Wilbraham7,9778[7]
15 September 2007 – 15:00BrentfordAway3–0Andrews (2), Johnson4,4766[8]
22 September 2007 – 15:00DarlingtonHome1–0Diallo7,9015[9]
29 September 2007 – 15:00MorecambeAway1–0Dyer2,6881[10]
2 October 2007 – 19:45Mansfield TownAway2–1Stirling, Dyer1,9841[11]
6 October 2007 – 15:00Bradford CityHome2–1Andrews, Swailes7,9031[12]
14 October 2007 – 13:30Lincoln CityHome4–0Knight (2), Dyer, Wilbraham13,0371[13]
20 October 2007 – 15:00Hereford UnitedAway1–0Wright3,9361[14]
27 October 2007 – 15:00Stockport CountyHome0–2 8,2901[15]
3 November 2007 – 15:00Wycombe WanderersAway1–1Cameron5,9291[16]
6 November 2007 – 19:45Grimsby TownHome2–0Wilbraham, Wright6,7971[17]
17 November 2007 – 15:00Chester CityAway2–0Wright, Johnson3,1021[18]
24 November 2007 – 15:00ChesterfieldHome1–2Wright9,6381[19]
4 December 2007 – 19:45Dagenham & RedbridgeAway1–0Diallo1,8801[20]
8 December 2007 – 15:00Accrington StanleyHome5–0Andrews, Navarro, Cameron, Dyer (2)6,9171[21]
15 December 2007 – 15:00Peterborough UnitedAway2–1Gallen, Andrews10,3511[22]
21 December 2007 – 19:45BrentfordHome1–1Gallen8,4451[23]
26 December 2007 – 15:00Notts CountyAway2–1Wright, Johnson5,1061[24]
29 December 2007 – 15:00DarlingtonAway1–0Johnson5,3041[25]
1 January 2008 – 15:00Mansfield TownHome1–0Andrews9,5831[26]
5 January 2008 – 15:00Rotherham UnitedAway1–0Wright5,4211[27]
12 January 2008 – 15:00BarnetHome0–1 9,8811[28]
19 January 2008 – 15:00WrexhamAway0–1 4,3191[29]
26 January 2008 – 15:00RochdaleHome0–1 7,8821[30]
29 January 2008 – 19:45Macclesfield TownHome1–1O'Hanlon6,4831[31]
2 February 2008 – 15:00BuryAway5–1Wright (3), Dyer, Gallen2,2411[32]
9 February 2008 – 15:00Rotherham UnitedHome1–1Gallen9,4551[33]
12 February 2008 – 19:45Shrewsbury TownAway3–3Wright (2), Gallen5,4741[34]
23 February 2008 – 15:00BarnetAway2–0Navarro, Dyer2,4951[35]
1 March 2008 – 15:00Chester CityHome1–0Swailes8,1721[36]
7 March 2008 – 19:45Grimsby TownAway1–0O'Hanlon4,1061[37]
10 March 2008 – 19:45ChesterfieldAway2–1Andrews, Dyer3,8341[38]
15 March 2008 – 15:00Dagenham & RedbridgeHome4–0Wilbraham (2), Dyer, Gallen9,4171[39]
21 March 2008 – 15:00Peterborough UnitedHome1–1Wilbraham14,5211[40]
24 March 2008 – 15:00Accrington StanleyAway1–0Wright1,5591[41]
4 April 2008 – 19:45Lincoln CityAway2–1Regan, Johnson3,8962[42]
8 April 2008 – 19:45WrexhamHome4–1Swailes, Wilbraham (2), O'Hanlon8,6461[43]
12 April 2008 – 15:00Wycombe WanderersHome2–2Wilbraham, O'Hanlon12,7471[44]
15 April 2008 – 19:45Hereford UnitedHome0–0 11,4281[45]
19 April 2008 – 15:00Stockport CountyAway3–2Wright, Navarro, Andrews8,8381[46]
26 April 2008 – 15:00Bradford CityAway2–1Stirling, Dyer14,6091[47]
3 May 2008 – 15:00MorecambeHome1–1Wilbraham17,2501[48]

FA Cup
Main article: 2007–08 FA Cup

Matches

Win Draw Loss
Date Round Opponent Venue Result Scorers Attendance Ref
10 November 2007 – 15:00First roundCrewe AlexandraAway1–2Johnson3,049[49]

League Cup
Main article: 2007–08 Football League Cup

Matches

Win Draw Loss
Date Round Opponent Venue Result Scorers Attendance Ref
14 August 2007 – 19:45First roundIpswich TownHome3–3[lower-alpha 1]Knight, Bruce (o.g.), Gallen7,496[50]
28 August 2007 – 19:45Second roundSheffield UnitedHome2–3[lower-alpha 2]Broughton, McGovern7,943[51]
  1. After extra-time. 2–2 at the conclusion of 90 minutes. MK Dons won 5–3 on penalties.
  2. After extra-time. 2–2 at the conclusion of 90 minutes.

League Trophy
Main article: 2007–08 Football League Trophy

Matches

Win Draw Loss
Date Round Opponent Venue Result Scorers Attendance Ref
9 October 2007 – 19:45Second roundPeterborough UnitedHome3–1Wright (2), Cameron5,087[52]
13 November 2007 – 19:45Quarter-final (South)BournemouthAway2–0Andrews, Swailes3,247[53]
8 January 2008 – 19:45Semi-final (South)GillinghamAway1–1[lower-alpha 1]Johnson3,717[54]
19 February 2008 – 19:45Area final (South) 1st legSwansea CityAway1–0Johnson10,125[55]
25 February 2008 – 19:45Area final (South) 2nd legSwansea CityHome0–1[lower-alpha 2] 9,757[56]
30 March 2008 – 13:15FinalGrimsby TownNeutral2–0Andrews, O'Hanlon56,618[57]
  1. MK Dons won 5–4 on penalties.
  2. Aggregate score 1–1. MK Dons won 5–4 on penalties.

Player details
List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition.
Players with squad numbers struck through and marked left the club during the playing season.
No. Pos Nat Player TotalLeague TwoFA CupLeague CupOther[lower-alpha 1]
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK Ademola Bankole 0000000000
2 DF Jude Stirling 412342002050
3 DF Dean Lewington 530450101060
4 MF Keith Andrews 45144112000042
5 DF Drissa Diallo 352302001040
6 DF Sean O'Hanlon 515434101061
7 MF Jon-Paul McGovern 5130002100
8 FW Kevin Gallen 319248102140
9 FW Felix Bastians 0000000000
9 FW Leon Knight 185174001100
10 FW Colin Cameron 354293100051
11 FW Lloyd Dyer 50114511002030
12 GK Willy Guéret 520460000060
13 MF Gareth Edds 11070102010
14 FW Mark Wright 41153413102042
15 FW Drewe Broughton 191130101140
16 FW Aaron Wilbraham 40103510102020
17 DF Kieran Murphy 5030002000
18 FW John Miles 120120000000
18 FW Scott Taylor 2000000020
19 FW John Hastings 0000000000
19 DF Carl Regan 9191000000
20 MF Alan Navarro 473393102050
21 MF Luke Howell 11080001020
22 MF Jake Livermore 5050000000
22 MF Bally Smart 11080100020
23 FW Jemal Johnson 468395110062
24 DF Matt Carbon 4030000010
25 DF Danny Swailes 475404101051
26 DF Sam Page 0000000000
27 DF Sam Collins 0000000000
28 MF Liam Kelly 0000000000
29 GK Nathan Abbey 3000102000
30 MF Mustapha Carayol 2000001010
31 GK Laurie Walker 0000000000
32 MF Jordan Hadfield 130130000000
35 DF Adam Chicksen 0000000000
36 FW Sam Baldock 9050100030
  1. Includes Football League Trophy and 2006–07 Football League Two play-offs.

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Name From Fee Ref.
5 July 2007FW Kevin GallenFree agent[lower-alpha 1]Free transfer[58]
11 July 2007MF Mark WrightFree agent[lower-alpha 2]
25 July 2007FW Drewe BroughtonFree agent[lower-alpha 3][58]
1 August 2007MF Colin CameronFree agent[lower-alpha 4][59]
3 August 2007FW Mustapha CarayolFree agent[lower-alpha 5][59]
10 August 2007GK Nathan AbbeyFree agent[lower-alpha 6][59]
MF Alan NavarroFree agent[lower-alpha 7][59]
11 August 2007GK Willy GuéretFree agent[lower-alpha 8][59]
DF Luke HowellFree agent[lower-alpha 9][59]
19 August 2007DF Danny SwailesMacclesfield TownUndisclosed[59]
31 August 2007FW Jemal JohnsonWolverhampton Wanderers[59]
4 December 2007DF Matt CarbonFree agent[lower-alpha 10]Free transfer
1 February 2008DF Carl ReganMacclesfield TownUndisclosed[60]
MF Craig DobsonStevenage Borough[60]

Transfers out
Date from Position Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2007MF Ben HardingReleased[lower-alpha 11]
MF Gary SmithReleased[lower-alpha 12]
3 July 2007FW Clive PlattColchester United£300,000[58]
9 August 2007FW Izale McLeodCharlton Athletic£1,100,000[59]
31 August 2007MF Jon-Paul McGovernSwindon TownUndisclosed[59]

Loans in
Start date Position Name From End date Ref.
15 November 2007MF Jordan HadfieldMacclesfield TownEnd of season[lower-alpha 13][61]
25 January 2008FW John MilesAccrington StanleyEnd of season[62]

Loans out
Start date Position Name To End date Ref.
18 September 2007MF John HastingsEbbsfleet United18 October 2007[63]
28 September 2007FW Sam CollinsKettering TownUnknown[63]
15 October 2007DF Sam PageHendon15 December 2007[64]
18 October 2007FW Scott TaylorRochdale18 November 2007[64]
26 October 2007FW Mustapha CarayolCrawley TownEnd of season[61]
16 November 2007DF Kieran Murphy[61]
20 November 2007MF John HastingsMaidenhead UnitedUnknown[61]
22 November 2007FW Sam CollinsHendon[61]
25 January 2008FW Drewe Broughton WrexhamApril 2008[62]
  1. Previous club: Chester City.
  2. Previous club: Walsall.
  3. Previous club: Chester City.
  4. Previous club: Coventry City.
  5. Previous club: Macclesfield Town.
  6. Previous club: Brentford.
  7. Previous club: Macclesfield Town.
  8. Previous club: Swansea City.
  9. Previous club: Gillingham.
  10. Previous club: New Zealand Knights.
  11. Joined Aldershot Town on 6 August 2007.
  12. Joined Brentford on 1 August 2007.
  13. Originally one month loan, extended until end of season.

References
  1. "Football League Attendances For The 2007/08 Season". East Midlands Football. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  2. "Andrews appointed first-team coach". mkdons.com. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  3. "MK Dons 1-2 Bury". BBC Sport. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  4. "Macclesfield 3-3 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 18 August 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  5. "MK Dons 3-0 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 25 August 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  6. "Rochdale 3-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 1 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  7. "MK Dons 3-0 Notts County". BBC Sport. 7 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  8. "Brentford 0-3 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  9. "MK Dons 1-0 Darlington". BBC Sport. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  10. "Morecambe 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  11. "Mansfield 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 2 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  12. "MK Dons 2-1 Bradford". BBC Sport. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  13. "MK Dons 4-0 Lincoln". BBC Sport. 14 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  14. "Hereford 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  15. "MK Dons 0-2 Stockport". BBC Sport. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  16. "Wycombe 1-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  17. "MK Dons 2-0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 6 November 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  18. "Chester 0-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  19. "MK Dons 1-2 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 24 November 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  20. "Dagenham 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 4 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  21. "MK Dons 5-0 Accrington". BBC Sport. 8 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  22. "Peterborough 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  23. "MK Dons 1-1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  24. "Notts County 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  25. "Darlington 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  26. "MK Dons 1-0 Mansfield". BBC Sport. 1 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  27. "Rotherham 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  28. "MK Dons 0-1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 12 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  29. "Wrexham 1-0 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  30. "MK Dons 0-1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  31. "MK Dons 1-1 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  32. "Bury 1-5 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  33. "MK Dons 1-1 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  34. "Shrewsbury 3-3 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 12 February 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  35. "Barnet 0-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  36. "MK Dons 1-0 Chester". BBC Sport. 1 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  37. "Grimsby 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 7 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  38. "Chesterfield 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 10 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  39. "MK Dons 4-0 Dagenham". BBC Sport. 15 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  40. "MK Dons 1-1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 21 March 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  41. "MK Dons 4-0 Dagenham". BBC Sport. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  42. "Lincoln 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 4 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  43. "MK Dons 4-1 Wrexham". BBC Sport. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  44. "MK Dons 2-2 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  45. "MK Dons 0-0 Hereford". BBC Sport. 15 April 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  46. "Stockport 2-3 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  47. "Bradford 1-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  48. "MK Dons 1-1 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  49. "Crewe 2-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  50. "MK Dons 3-3 Ipswich (aet)". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  51. "MK Dons 2-3 Sheffield Utd (aet)". BBC Sport. 28 August 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  52. "MK Dons 3-1 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  53. "Bournemouth 0-2 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  54. "Gillingham 1-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 8 January 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  55. "Swansea 0-1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 19 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  56. "MK Dons 0-1 Swansea (agg 1-1)". BBC Sport. 25 February 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  57. "MK Dons 2-0 Grimsby". BBC Sport. 30 March 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  58. "Transfers - July 2007". BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  59. "Transfers - August 2007". BBC. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  60. "Regan joins Dobson at Dons". Milton Keynes Citizen. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  61. "Transfers - November 2007". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  62. "Transfers - January 2008". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  63. "Transfers - September 2007". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  64. "Transfers - October 2007". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
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