Name: David Bosdet position: chairperson Nominated by Gordon Wylie Seconded by: J Bates
I originally discussed joining the MKDSA at the end of last year but due to a number of issues within the committee I was unable to join.
I submitted an application prior to the EGM but this was not permitted by the acting chair.
I appreciate and respect others view, that the MKDSA should be allowed to quietly fold. I believe however the MKDSA still has a major role to play. I have supported the club since the Hockey stadium and the Gareth Edd’s goal. I continue to be a season ticket holder in the area by Gate 5.
In the past I have served on several committees from sporting clubs to workplace training and customer service and lost prevention meeting. I was respected for my ability to think out the box to prevent lose both from warehouses and stores.
I have attended several multi-disciplinary committees in relation to a foster child.
I worked as a trainer for Tesco and Milton Keynes council for several years. Qualified AAT foundation stage. Owned courier and Taxi Businesses in the past
I have created and maintained accurate accountancy systems within previous business and completing annual foster carer tax returns.
I also worked as a systems operator within Tesco’s as part of a 4-man team responsible for managing workflow to pickers, goods in and goods out.
I was respected for my ability to think out the box to prevent loss both from warehouses and stores.
At present I work in a specialist SEN school managing a small fleet of vehicles and managing the school Duke of Edinburgh award programme.
I also championed the creation of a school Library with a book data base allowing students to scan books in an out as authentic to a school library as we could achieve.
I have responsibility for arranging a variety of school events most recently a Christmas far and am in the process of obtaining a small society lottery licence for the school.
I would like to finish by thanking you for reading my application and may we all move the MKDSA forward together.
Name: Gordon Wylie Position : Vice Chair Proposed by :David Bosdet Seconded by: Arthur Harris
As someone deeply passionate about football, a MK Dons season ticket holder of 20 plus years.
I am eager to contribute my time, skills, drive, and enthusiasm to support the committee’s vision on resetting the MKDSA to deliver for all, that supports greater experiences for our fan base.
I am currently in full time employment within the Emergency Services as Head of Estates working within a Public Sector environment that sees me operating within the services leadership team, political committees/boards and have vast amount of experience handling large financial budgets.
My employment will change to semi-retirement from 30th September 2025 and with this it will provide me with the time and flexibility of hours required to take on a role with the MKDSA if elected.
I have many years of volunteering within Milton Keynes community whilst serving several local Youth Football Clubs ( in excess 120 players and 200+ parents) and League Management Committees, previous period as member MKDSA committee that set up and executed the away travel for association, which has given me a strong understanding of engaging with supporters, fundraising, event planning.
I thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy bringing people together to create meaningful change and I am an advocate for leading of conversations around solutions, supporting all elected officers to facilitate and showcase their skills that will put the MKDSA in the best possible light and provide a visible delivery for all members If given the opportunity,
I am committed to increasing community engagement, improving communication, strengthening relationships with supporters, other supporters’ groups, our club through sign posting and visibility.
I strongly believe in David’s leadership, and I fully support a reset with the club in trying to confirm and establish MKDSA ability to directly discuss and represent fan’s needs, including concerns at all levels, this also includes clear lines for operating the MKDSA and how this aligns and fits with clubs supporter’s board.
Thank you for considering my application—I look forward to the possibility of working alongside such a dedicated team.
Name: Barry Pearson Position : Treasurer Proposed by: David Bosdet Seconded: Arthur Harris
I am happy to stand in for the treasurer position.
As I’m passionate about the MK DONS I’m also a season ticket holder for 20 years, i would like to contribute my time ,Skills and enthusiasm to support the committee’s on resetting our MKDSA.
i am retried now ,i did accountant for two years working on verify large accounts at the moment I’m involved with the parish council as a vice chairman ,im also work within the community fitness club twice a week .
Name: Jim Bates: Position: Secretary Proposed by: John Brockwell Seconded by : Gordon Wylie
The reason I’m standing for the Secretary position is that I don’t want the SA to fold and I believe I have the experience and skills to perform the Secretary post.
I want the supporters to have a voice and to represent them. I moved to Bletchley when I was 4 years old (over 60 years ago).
I started supporting MK Dons in the Trophy season victory against Grimsby, becoming a season ticket holder.
I have a background in Procurement (now retired) and have organised a number of contract meetings, acting as Secretary and have drafted contract tenders. I have facilitated tender evaluations and supplier correspondence, including awards and challenges. I also made sure the tenders were compliant with procurement law and internal rules.
The club and supporters have gone through a difficult period with relegation, poor form and change of ownership. However, I’m convinced that things are getting better. We need a strong and vibrant supporters’ association.
I support the club building links with the community and SET and will work with them to achieve this. I’m in favour of building relationships with other groups like Dons Action, asking members their priorities through a questionnaire and improving the match day experience of supporters(home /away).
I’m in favour of making meetings accessible through Teams, etc. I would like to see the web site developed with more articles on players and staff. I would also like to see the SA support the women’s and disabled teams more and would like to organise trips to training sessions. I also believe the SA can assist MK sport, health and welfare activities. I stand for diversity and inclusion, integrity and transparency. I would also like to see more accountability in respect of the Supporters Board representatives.
Name: Jo Newall Position : Disability officer(joint) Proposed: Norton Family Seconded: Louis Andrews
Jo is a powerchair user and Jeff a white cane user with between us over 100 years experience of challenging disability inequality. We have job-shared the role of MKDSA’s Disability Officer for a few years. We have been season ticket holders in the Cowshed since the stadium opened and regularly attend away games on the Club’s transport. Last season we had to prioritise the health needs in our family but now we expect to be back on task. We are well known among Club staff at the MK Dons, those at the away grounds we visit and Level Playing Field (the charity that represents disabled sports fans) for constantly seeking the best possible provisions for all disabled fans at all grounds. (Jo writes a good complaint email!) Our priority for the coming season is to have a meeting for all disabled fans with Club staff to agree a priority list of improvements to enhance the provisions for disabled fans at Stadium MK as disabled people are the biggest minority with diverse and often hidden needs. Stadium MK is without doubt one of the best grounds for accessibility but there is always more that can be done. Often it is the small in-expensive, easily achieved changes that can make significant improvements but we need to hear from people what these are. For our part we would particularly like to see a comfort room that disabled fans can use prior to and during home matches for a quiet/warm time away from main stands, something that we have already spoken to Club staff about.
Name: Jeff Newall Position: Disability officer(Joint) Proposed by: Norton Family Seconded by: Louis Andrews
Jo is a powerchair user and Jeff a white cane user with between us over 100 years experience of challenging disability inequality. We have job-shared the role of MKDSA’s Disability Officer for a few years. We have been season ticket holders in the Cowshed since the stadium opened and regularly attend away games on the Club’s transport. Last season we had to prioritise the health needs in our family but now we expect to be back on task. We are well known among Club staff at the MK Dons, those at the away grounds we visit and Level Playing Field (the charity that represents disabled sports fans) for constantly seeking the best possible provisions for all disabled fans at all grounds. (Jo writes a good complaint email!) Our priority for the coming season is to have a meeting for all disabled fans with Club staff to agree a priority list of improvements to enhance the provisions for disabled fans at Stadium MK as disabled people are the biggest minority with diverse and often hidden needs. Stadium MK is without doubt one of the best grounds for accessibility but there is always more that can be done. Often it is the small in-expensive, easily achieved changes that can make significant improvements but we need to hear from people what these are. For our part we would particularly like to see a comfort room that disabled fans can use prior to and during home matches for a quiet/warm time away from main stands, something that we have already spoken to Club staff about.
Name: Stephen Flanagan Position: Communications & Web Master Proposed by: John Samuel Seconded: Franco Volpe
Evening, my name is Stephen Flanagan and I am 16.
My family has worked with the MKDSA the past few seasons.
I am writing to have a place on the committee, where I can help with media and do match reports. This would benefit the MKDSA because it will get the work of the MKDSA out there and be more widely spread across the fanbase.
I also think it is time for the youth to get involved, starting with someone like me. This will inspire others among the fanbase.
Name: Arthur Harris Position: General Committee Member Proposed: Gordon Wylie Seconded: Jim Bates.
I am Arthur Harris and I am excited to submit my application for a position of general committee member on the MK Dons Supporters Association.
As someone deeply passionate about football, season ticket holder of 20 plus years I am eager to contribute my time, skills, drive, and enthusiasm in support the committee’s vision.
I am Business owner with years of operating and experience of handling direct customer interfaces ,I also have several years previous experience as a member of the MKDSA committee, which has given me a strong understanding of engaging with supporters, fundraising, event planning and the MKDSA inner workings. If given the opportunity, I am committed to increasing community engagement, improving communication, strengthening relationships with supporters, other supporters’ groups, our club through sign posting and visibility.
I fully support a reset with the club in trying to confirm and establish MKDSA ability to directly discuss and represent fan’s needs, including concerns at all levels, this also includes clear lines for operating as MKDSA and how these fits with Clubs supporter’s board.
Name: Jonathan Owens Position: Engagement & EDI Officer. Proposed by :David Bosdet Seconded : Angela Hillier.
Professional Background: I have over 35 years Professional Business and Senior Management experience implementing effectiveness and efficiency reports and continuous improvement reviews and have carried out many senior management roles in the private, public and government sectors, NHS, charities, university and commercial sectors (including Sporting sectors such as The English sports council, Sport England, leisure and sporting organisations and functions).
I have a vast knowledge and practical experience of strategic, financial and operational management, Human Resources and People management and have undertaken over 30 major organisational change and restructuring projects and initiatives and many large improvement projects across all sectors involving customer facing businesses. I have reviewed numerous local authority customer facing business functions and organisations (some involving front facing leisure and sport services) looking at providing value for money and undertaking numerous user / client engagement improvement initiatives. I have considerable Human Resource management and people management skills and knowledge as a HR Professional, working with all levels of the organisation from front line and executive levels and in undertaking culture change and organisational development initiatives and projects.
My personal interests include being a MK Dons season ticket supporter for over 12 years and as a disabled fan, I also assist in the regular care of two other disabled MK Dons fans. My vast experience of working on and with numerous committees (including reviewing the performance of two local authority committee functions) and as the chair of a Sunday football league for many years and a football manager and coach for over 15 years, should be of value to the MKDSA. I am a passionate Sports fan with excellent leadership, influencing and negotiating skills and am a good communicator.
I believe that major fan engagement improvements are required with both the MKDSA and the Supporters board and a new communications strategy involving all parties (MKDSA, the supporters board and Dons Action) along with all other fan interest groups and community groups is required. This should be undertaken to make and deliver excellent and effective fan engagement processes and operations to provide sustainable high performing fan engagement activities and satisfaction. This is crucial for building a strong, loyal fanbase and in fostering a thriving community around the football club which benefits both the fans and the team/club. Fan engagement is the lifeblood of the club.
