In the summer of 2002, an FA Commission granted permission for a group of businessmen to relocate Wimbledon FC Ltd to Milton Keynes, 70 miles from its history, home and community. Initially devastated at the loss of their club, within a matter of weeks the supporters took a fresh approach by creating their own team. Backed by the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) and the Dons Trust, AFC Wimbledon was born. Just six weeks later, having obtained a ground, senior status and many hundreds of season ticket applications, the Dons played their first friendly on Wednesday 10th July against Sutton United at Gander Green Lane, in front of a staggering crowd of over 4,500.