The club was founded in 2002 as a result of the decision to allow Wimbledon F.C.'s relocation to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire by the Football Association; Wimbledon F.C. was subsequently renamed Milton Keynes Dons in 2004. Wimbledon F.C. supporters strongly opposed the idea of moving and reacted by founding their own club, AFC Wimbledon. In view of its transplanting to Milton Keynes, the majority of Wimbledon fans felt that the original club no longer represented Wimbledon's legacy and traditions, and thus withdrew their support, choosing instead to start a new "phoenix club" from scratch, forming A.F.C. Wimbledon.