Our online petition urging Milton Keynes to drop the dons has attracted more than 450 signatures in 24 hours.

AFC Wimbledon fans are calling on MK Dons, the football club created in 2003 by moving Wimbledon FC 65 miles north to the Buckinghamshire town, to drop the last part of their name as the team connection to south London.

AFC were formed in the aftermath of the move by angry Wimbledon FC fans to continue the legacy of their original club - and last year the team broke into the football league for the first time.

Fans backing the campaign include Dave Hambly, who said: "I've been following the Dons since the sixties and I don't need reminding what happened to my club." Bill Edwards described the controversial move north as "one of sport's great travesties".

Most of those signing up come from Wimbledon, Morden, Raynes Park and Kingston - but backing has come from ex-pat Wimbledon fans as far away as Australia and Norway. Fans of other English clubs have also voiced their support - including followers of Leeds United, Crystal Palace FC, Peterborough FC and AFC Bournemouth.

Ian Champ wrote: "Not a wombles fan but a fan of Gillingham and football in general and there is and only will ever be one Wimbledon FC for me."

To sign the petition, visit wimbledonguardian.co.uk/dropthedons/petition/