Mike Williamson was pleased with his MK Dons side in how they approached their pre-season friendly against Portsmouth.

The Dons’ Head Coach spoke after watching his side play a 1-1 draw with Championship newboys Portsmouth, with Tommy Leigh scoring a second half equaliser to cancel out Josh Murphy’s early opener.

Williamson, who played for Portsmouth in his playing days, mused that Pompey began with an intensity that troubled his side, but that over the course of the game, there was plenty that he felt MK Dons did right to show they’re adjusting to the methods expected of them ahead of the new season.

He said, “I thought they were very good. I thought you could see across the board the physicality in how they started the game. They started it with a lot of intensity and we took probably 20 minutes to get to grips with that, but after that, it was a perfect pre-season game for me to watch. There’s so many things that came out of it.

“There’s four or five boys that need a few more minutes and a few more tests like that and also on our play out, I thought there were still areas we’re looking to improve. We want a lot more forward passes, and the intensity to help to our ball carriers has got to be better, but on the whole, I was really pleased. We had chances and got the goal against a really good team.”

With this being one of the Dons’ last pre-season friendlies ahead of the season starting against Bradford on August 10th, Williamson said that he was happy the team were building up their understanding of what he expects from them ahead of the new campaign.

He said, “I think the way we wanted to structure it was to start pre-season with a lot of our in possession stuff and how we build into a creative phase then when we get to later on in pre-season, the out of possession and transition comes into it, but I still want it to look how we look in possession. That’s the main thing for us. Obviously, the tests we’ve had have been varied and really good.

“We’ve had some difficult pitches so this is the first time we’ve had a smooth surface to play with, which works in both team’s favour, but of course, we want to make sure when we arrive for Bradford at home, our out of possession is spot on and our in possession stuff is effortless.”

Williamson was happy that the Dons’ work against Portsmouth further discussed that the team were looking to work on their squad at both ends of the pitch.

He said, “We still want to create that mentality of winning and making sure we find a way. That’s solution based. That game today was really good. There were some outstanding performances.

“I said in there (at half-time) that we just make sure we can sense and smell when we’re on the front foot and just press the life out of times, and then when there’s times when they’ve got a foothold, we can be reserved and patient and be harder to beat in our defensive side of the game. It has to improve from last season. I think you can see elements of the work we have been doing and then when we get on the front foot, we’re relentless in our press and endeavour and we can do what they did to us for the first 20 minutes for 90 minutes.”

The Dons have signed 10 new players ahead of the upcoming season, with Williamson happy to got the bulk of his business done early, and Williamson said the team would now look to create a unit that could go forward in the upcoming campaign.

He said, “I think that was the plan that you want to try and form things as quick as you possibly can so you’ve got as long as you can. Things will shape up and it’ll take its natural form, and everyone’s just got to make sure they’ve got everything they’ve got, and that’ll land us in good stead.”

Emily Darlington has announced she will step down from her role as a Milton Keynes City Council Councillor to focus on her new role as an MP for the city.

Darlington won the Milton Keynes Central MP seat for Labour at the recent general election, being elected to Parliament for the first time.

In a statement, the Milton Keynes Labour Party stated that Darlington has decided that her duties in Parliament mean that she has decided to stand down as a city councillor.

A by-election will be held in September in the Bletchley East ward to elect a replacement.

Darlington has been a city councillor since 2018 and was Deputy Leader of the Council until her decision to stand down.

In her time with MK City Council, she has previously held cabinet roles looking after areas such as public realm, housing and social care, initiating projects such as the White Ribbon campaign to end violence against women and girls and an initiative to reduce rough sleeping in the city.

She has also been responsible for the multi-million-pound regeneration programme underway on the Lakes Estate, which is an area that forms part of her ward. Work to complete the first new homes of the scheme is now underway.

In a statement, Emily Darlington MP said, “It has been a great honour to represent the people of Bletchley East and Fenny Stratford ward. I am proud of my record as a local ward councillor, especially working with the community to deliver the regeneration of the Lakes Estate.

“It has also been a privilege to serve as a city councillor, especially during my time as a Cabinet member and Deputy Leader. I am immensely pleased that as part of a strong Labour administration, I have been able to lead on important areas such as seeking to end violence against women and girls, reducing rough-sleeping and making Milton Keynes a dementia friendly city.

“Now I have a new role representing Milton Keynes Central in parliament it is not possible for me to do both important jobs, so I sadly have to stand down from my job on the city council, but I will be continuing to stand up for our great city in Westminster.”

Cllr Peter Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, added, “I would like to thank Emily for all she has done as a city councillor. There is absolutely no doubt that the issues she has sought to address will ensure a lasting legacy for both her ward residents and the wider city.

“However, I’m delighted that she is now one of our three new Labour MPs for Milton Keynes, and I’m sure that in the next part of her journey she will take the same drive and determination she has shown as a councillor to stand up for our city and speak up on those issues she cares passionately about.”

Northampton Town have signed winger Liam McCarron from Stoke City, with the move coming after a trial with the League One club.

McCarron, 23, joins the Cobblers for an undisclosed fee. He has signed a one year contract at Sixfields with the option to stay for an additional year.

The winger played two pre-season friendlies for Northampton as part of his trial, which impressed the club enough to buy him and add him to their squad ahead of the upcoming season.

McCarron began his career with Carlisle United and enjoyed a breakout season as a teenager in the 2018/19 season, making 20 appearances in all competitions.

He was duly signed by Leeds United, with his sole appearance for the Yorkshire club coming as a substitute in a Premier League game against Arsenal in 2021.

While McCarron joined Stoke City in 2022, he made just one appearance for the Potters, which came in an FA Cup game with Brighton last season. He also briefly spent time out on loan from Stoke with their local rivals Port Vale.

Northampton Town manager Jon Brady told the club’s official website that he was delighted he could turn McCarron’s trial with the club into a full signing.

He said, “Liam has done well on trial with us over the last couple of weeks and we are pleased to welcome him to the club.

“He has been training with us for a while now so we know he will fit in well with the group and we have been pleased with what we have seen. He is strong and he travels well with the ball. He can play in both attacking and defensive positions all down the left hand side and inverted on the right hand side giving us flexibility in formations and systems and he has speed and the ability to break the back line in attack.

“Liam has a good pedigree, he has some big clubs on his CV but he is at the stage where he needs to start adding appearances. He is motivated to do that here and we feel we can help improve and develop his game.

“There was other interest in him and we are pleased he has chosen to join us.”

IF: Milton Keynes International Festival has announced it will be making a return in July 2025.

The arts festival will take place in the city from Friday 18 July to Sunday 27 July 2025.

Across the ten days, audiences will be treated to a variety of art installations across Milton Keynes, including live music, large-scale outdoor events, circus shows, comedy, cabaret, installations and free family activities.

Founded and produced by local performing arts venue The Stables, the Festival has become a popular fixture in Milton Keynes’ cultural event calendar.

Engaging more than one million people in its seven previous editions between 2010 and 2023, the festival takes place in locations across Milton Keynes, including parks, public squares, commercial and retail spaces.

IF: Milton Keynes International Festival was also recently been honoured with the EFFE Label 2024/2025 by the European Festivals Association, recognising the event as one of Europe’s most remarkable festivals.

The festival organisers have placed on record thanks Arts Council England, Milton Keynes City Council and headline partner centre:mk for their continued support, as well as the many businesses, trusts and foundations and organisations who are all valued partners of the festival.