MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has called on football fans to praise club chairman Pete Winkelman for his achievements in getting the Buckinghamshire outfit up the league pyramid.
The 57-year-old, recently granted freedom of the borough, has long been criticised for being heavily influential in the controversial move of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes in 2003.
The Dons are now playing second-tier football for the first time in their post-Wimbledon history, while approval to build the 30,000-capacity Stadium:MK was secured by a consortium led by Winkelman.
Robinson told BBC Sport: "I'd like to think he can have one day when he can sit down, relax and take in what he's achieved. Some say he's proved a point now and everyone should move on.
"What he's done for the city of Milton Keynes is quite remarkable and for him to be honoured is testament to all the hard work, all the sleepless nights and money he's spent.
"He's a great person and I owe most of what I have to him. We're proud of him from the management staff and the players, we're proud of his achievements."
Stadium:MK will also host three Rugby World Cup games this autumn.
