MK Dons breezed past Tranmere Rovers at the weekend, sending them to the top of the league and securing promotion back to League One.
After a third season in League Two it will come as a great relief to all involved with the club that they were able to get over the line.
Fantastic goals from Nathanial Mendéz-Laing and Captain Alex Gilbey had the Dons 2-0 at half-time. Top scorer Callum Paterson headed home with ten minutes to go to make sure of the three points and send the Dons up.
MK Dons sacked Scott Lindsay in March 2025, going six league games without a win. He was the club’s second manager to depart that season with Mike Williamson taking over at Carlisle United, knowing his time at the Dons was coming to and end.
Paul Warne being announced as MK Dons manager turned a lot of heads towards the end of the 24/25 season. His hiring made a statement that the Dons were getting out of League Two next season one way or another.
Paul Warne has instantly delivered on that front, not just by winning games but by changing the attitudes of fans.
Last season was the Dons worst ever league finish, which left many fans feeling very down going into this season. Warne introduced attacking and exciting football to Stadium MK after years of drab sideways and backwards, going back to Russel Martin.
Overall, Paul Warne has given Dons fans a reason and a chance to believe again. With Warne at the helm, the Cowshed will be going into next season with a whole lot of excitement.
It was obvious in the summer that MK Dons had some work to do in the transfer market, and the club outdid themselves. They signed a wealth of players who have shown their quality at higher levels.
The Dons particularly took advantage of free transfers due to their ability to offer higher wages than clubs around them.
Top scorer Callum Paterson was signed on a free transfer, as well as powerful winger Nathaniel Mendéz-Laing. The Dons have scored an unbelievable 85 goals in the league this season, with free transfer Paterson directly contributing to 23 of them.
Two massive signings for MK Dons were centre-backs Marvin Ekpiteta and Curtis Nelson. These two are without a doubt some of the best defenders in the league and without them, the Dons would have really struggled defensively.
These two players, as well as Jack Sanders, are why the Dons have conceded the second least goals in the league, and why they will be playing League One football next season.
Of the 18 players in the Dons squad that beat Tranmere, ten of them were at the club for some or all of last season. Five of the starting eleven are in this group. Many of the Dons who featured in MK Dons worst ever season took it upon themselves to improve.
One example of this is Liam Kelly. Kelly won the Players’ Player of the Year as well as being voted by fans as Player of the Year. In addition, Kelly was also named in the League Two team of the season.
Kelly endured the entire 24/25 season but was like a completely new player this time around. His unbelievable work rate has made him a fan favourite. Combined with his technical ability, Kelly has been a crucial and dominant presence in the MK Dons midfield all season.
Another example of this is club captain Alex Gilbey. Alex Gilbey has demonstrated his immense passion for the club all season long. He has cemented his status as a club legend with his unwavering quality and high standards.
Gilbey improves the players around him with his high work rate and dedication and is a big factor in the Dons promotion.
The Dons visit Highbury Stadium to face Fleetwood Town in their final game. The Dons are a point clear of Bromley at the top of the league so a win will secure the League Two title for Paul Warne’s side, 18 years after they last did it.
Bromley host Walsall at the same time, who need a win to have a chance of leapfrogging the Dons and winning the title.
