Tony Blair, the ex-UK Prime Minister, apparently had some serious football interests for Northern Ireland in the 1990s. The politician actively considered the relocation of a Premier League club to Belfast.
The documents, released recently, shed light on Blair’s interest in the proposal. The proposal acted as potential solutions to both football infrastructure challenges and fostering unity in a post-Troubles Northern Ireland.
The target team for relocation was Wimbledon FC, a club in need of a new stadium. Wimbledon FC required a new stadium after the implementation of the all-seater recommendation following the Hillsborough disaster. Wimbledon’s Plough Lane stadium was deemed unfit for redevelopment, prompting the club to explore alternative locations.
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The idea, outlined in a note from 1997, suggested that relocating Wimbledon FC to Belfast could serve as a “significant breakthrough”. They aim to build strong cross-community support and act as a positive unifying force in a historically divided city. The proposed name for the club, if moved, was “Belfast United.”
Blair’s interest in the concept was evident in a memo from July 16, 1998, just three months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. He stated that “it would be excellent if Wimbledon were to move to Belfast, and we should encourage this as much as possible.” However, the Irish football authorities reportedly resisted the idea strongly.
Wimbledon FC owner Sam Hammam had previously unsuccessfully explored relocating the team to Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Downing Street’s involvement in the Belfast proposal was evident in a note from then-chief press secretary Alastair Campbell. Campbell indicated that Hammam had explored Dublin but considered Belfast by then.
Despite the initial interest, the relocation did not materialize.
Wimbledon FC eventually fell from the Premier League in 2000. Later, They relocated to Milton Keynes in 2004, becoming MK Dons.
The original Wimbledon FC fans established a new club, AFC Wimbledon, which has subsequently ascended through the English football division. They presently compete in League Two at a stadium near the original Plough Lane site.
