Milton Keynes Dons Sport and Education Trust is delighted to announce the development of MK Dons Ladies FC for the start of the 2009/10 season.

Adding to our established Girls and Women's programme, MK Dons Ladies FC will provide a progression pathway for those girls already in our Centre of Excellence and Academy (run in partnership with MK College) and work in partnership with existing teams in Milton Keynes to help strengthen the women's game in the city.

Playing in the South East Combination League, the Ladies' season starts in earnest on Sunday 16th August with an away game at Lewes before matches against local rivals Ipswich Town, Northampton Town and Norwich City, with a double header against Tottenham Hotspur due in January. With FA Cup, League and County Cup matches also due, it will prove to be a busy first season for this Ladies' team and committee Chairman Sue Meekcom can't wait.

"These are definitely exciting times for us all as we look to begin our first season as MK Dons Ladies FC," she said. "We would like to thank both Wellingborough Town FC and Rushden & Diamonds FC for their past support, and will now look forward to a different challenge as part of MK Dons Sport and Education Trust and MK Dons FC.

She continued, "We are hoping that as part of MK Dons Ladies FC, we can help provide further exit routes for talented female footballers aged 16 and over progressing through the centre of excellence, whilst working alongside other female teams and clubs in the area such as MK Wanderers FC and Stony Stratford FC, to continue raising the profile of the Women's game."

The excitement was reiterated by Chairman of Trustees for the Sport and Education Trust Simon Ingram who said: "The Trust are really pleased to be able to facilitate the establishment and, just as importantly, the development of a women's senior team in the area; it is an excellent example of how the Trust can help others to help themselves and to realise their ambitions."

MK Dons Chairman Pete Winkelman said: "The development of a ladies' team is another important step in the growth of the Club and a fine example of the Trust's work to provide footballing opportunities in the city.

"The women's game has become increasingly popular over the last decade with participation levels consistently rising, and I sincerely hope the MK Dons Ladies team will offer an exciting opportunity for talented youngsters to continue their development."

The Dons Ladies will be playing their home games at Willen Road, home to Newport Pagnell Town FC and a ground already familiar to the MK Army. Geoff Cardno, Chairman of Newport Pagnell Town FC commented on the partnership: "It is great to strengthen the relationship we have with the Dons and their Sport and Education Trust. We have developed this since 2004 after being the first ever opposition for the club and are now delighted to be able to host the ladies team and be able to help develop the women's game in the area."

The Milton Keynes-based employee benefits and financial services specialist, Personal Group, is about to be unveiled as the latest MK Dons' Official Club Partner and as part of this agreement, they will be appearing as the very first shirt sponsors of MK Dons Ladies FC for the 2009/10 season.

Nigel Brittle, Group Managing Director of Personal Group, said of the partnership: "Personal Group is celebrating its 25th birthday in Milton Keynes this year and what better way to mark this milestone than by expanding our support of local community initiatives through our partnership with MK Dons.We're delighted to support and be associated with the development of girls and women's football in the Milton Keynes area."

The Dons will hope to help Personal Group celebrate its anniversary with a win against Tottenham in a pre-season friendly being played at stadiummk, prior to their male counterparts' match against neighbours Northampton Town on Saturday 1st August. Part of a full pre-season programme of matches including Wolves and West Brom, the Tottenham match will be a great way to introduce the team to the Dons supporters prior to the launch of the league season later that month.

For ticket information on the Tottenham/Northampton double header click here, a full fixture list can be seen on the Girls and Women's section of mkdons.com or on www.mkdonstrust.co.uk.

For more information on MK Dons Ladies FC contact Charlene Ward on charlene.ward@mkdons.com