Pete Winkelman says the honour of having Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially open Stadium MK is one of his greatest memories as Chairman of MK Dons.
The country remains in mourning following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen last week and speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Chairman Pete Winkelman offered his thoughts and memories of one of his most memorable days at the Football Club.
“The shock of her passing is still something we're all still getting used to but I immediately look back at those moments when the Queen touched our lives and we were so lucky she came to Milton Keynes to open the stadium to give us a lifetime memory,” he said, reflecting on the November 2007 event.
“I remember expecting her to walk out of the tunnel, where the players come out, but instead they had her come out in her Bentley, down the service tunnel and driving around the edge of the pitch - it was like a chariot and it was an amazing moment I'll never forget it!
“It was one of the most pressured and stressful moments, but also one of my greatest memories, one that will stay with me forever.
“We gave her a red balloon, the symbol of Milton Keynes, and she said 'what do I do with this?' and I told her to let it go, and she did and she watched it sail over her head! She had a knack of making you relax just enough to make it all work. She was a celebrity in status, but also had humility. It was a wonderful moment.”
