Today's Capital Cup 1st round throws up a classic tie between MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon. MK Dons was founded in 2004 following the relocation of what was Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes. Wimbledon FC was founded in 1889 and played as an amateur and semi-professional club until it gained election to the football League in 1977, eventually reaching the First Division in 1986. When the FA demanded that clubs played at all seater stadia, Wimbledon had to leave their old ground at Plough Lane and shared with Crystal Palace, which proved unsatisfactory. To remain in the Football League, a relocation to Milton Keynes in 2003, where a hockey stadium would provide a good home, was required but this was not unanimously agreed by the club supporters so a new club, MK Dons, was formed.
MK Dons abandoned any claim to Wimbledon's previous history and past trophies were held by Merton Council. Wimbledon FC had won the FA Amateur Cup in 1963 and then sensationally beat Liverpool in the FA Cup final in 1988 to achieve a double that only one other club had achieved, the Old Carthusians (FA Cup 1881 and FA Amateur Cup 1894, 95 and 97). History shows that the Royal Engineers also achieved this double although under two different names.
Back in Surrey, AFC Wimbledon emerged like a Phoenix in 2002, formed by the local and loyal members of the old club, joining the 9th tier Combined Counties League. The new club gained five promotions in nine seasons, rising into the 4th tier of Football League.
In December 2012 the old and new clubs met in the 2nd round of the FA Cup, MK Dons winning 2-1 away from home and today they meet again.
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