Month: July 2016

Matthew Upson is a defender of MK Dons and a veritable name in the football circles.

Matthew Upson lined up with John Terry about five years back. The situation was the World Cup tournament whose second round was being played in Bloemfontein in the afternoon of a chilly day. They had celebrated the goal that they had achieved in England in 2008. However about 90 minutes later there was opportunity for a goal which was ruled out due to the blunder that was made by the referee. Fabio Capello and his team had been humbled by a superior team from Germany that year. The team had to suffer a defeat of 4-1.

Upson remembers those times and that fact that, at that time he and Terry were not exactly thinking alike. The result was a dismal performance by England. Upson however, scored the lone goal and that marked his final appearance in the country in international matches. About half of that team today does not play active any more. Upson is now 36 years of age and is presently with MK Dons. He joined them from Leicester which happened last summer. He is currently suffering from a hamstring injury and is getting ready to face Chelsea which would be part of the fourth round of the FA cup. He would be up against Terry who is now 35 years of age and is a pivotal member of Chelsea. He has emerged on the Chelsea side since 1998 and till today he plays about 700 games in the competitive level.

Upson looks at Terry, who is his old partner and feels that he has achieved a lot by staying at the top level and playing at center back. This is wonderful, considering his age. He is able to train and play even at the age he is when he is surrounded by younger players around him.

Milton Keynes Dons’ Karl Robinson has confirmed that some players have played their last games for the team after the 2-1 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Matt Upson alongside others that include Nicky Maynard, Alex Revell, Anthony Kay, Cody Cropper, Jordan Spence, Carl Baker and Charlie Burns do not have deals extending into next season, though most will know by now whether they will be playing at stadium:mk again next season.

An announcement is expected as to the future of those eight players.

Robinson said:

“It’s about us rebuilding now. The line is drawn. For as quick as I forgot about the emotions of promotion, I’ve got to forget relegation.

“We’ve seen the end of some of the players, we’ll know at the beginning of next week.

“There’s no right way of doing it, but we’ve shown them a lot of respect. I have thanked them all for their hard work and dedication this season,” he added.

The final game of the Championship season was a dead rubber for both sides, though with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes, it could have turned into a tasty affair to give the season a good send off.

But despite Nicky Maynard cancelling out Chris Cohen’s opener, Danny Fox’s red card for a high tackle on Spence shortly before half time ended it as a spectacle.

At the end of the game, Robinson thanked the fans for sticking by his side throughout what has proven to be a disappointing campaign in the second tier. He added:

“Of the 11,000 or so fans here today, who already knew we were relegated, 80 per cent stayed until the end. And that’s who we’re playing for. Through thick and thin, they’ll stick with us.

“Next year, part of our team talk will be to remember the fans who stayed and showed what true supporters are about.”