Tony Blair Sought to Relocate Wimbledon FC to Belfast in the 1990s

The move, seen as a potential unifying force, faced resistance from Irish football authorities; the club eventually relocated to Milton Keynes.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was keen on relocating Wimbledon FC to Belfast in the late 1990s, according to newly released documents.
The relocation was seen as a potential unifying force in the divided city and was expected to come with a private sector-funded 40,000-seater stadium and a sports academy.
The club, which would have been renamed Belfast United, was also considered for relocation to Dublin, but this idea didn't materialize.
Despite Blair's interest, the proposal faced strong resistance from Irish football authorities, who feared it could 'kill off' existing clubs in Northern Ireland.
Wimbledon FC eventually moved to Milton Keynes in 2003 and is now known as Milton Keynes Dons, playing in the fourth tier of English football.