Chairman Pete Winkelman

By Oli
February 25 2009

The MK Dons Sport and Education Trust has made its second appointment this calendar year as Dons director John Cove takes up the position of Chief Executive with the Trust.

Mr Cove follows ex-Dons midfielder Paul Mitchell into a role in the Trust, with the latter forced to retire after struggling to pin down a first team place following a broken leg which kept him on the sidelines for nearly 18 months. Upon retirement Mitchell took up the position of Community Ambassador.

Mr Cove brings over 20 years of experience with the Milton Keynes Council to the role, and Trust Chairman Simon Ingram was delighted to have Mr Cove on board.

Mr Ingram said: "We are very pleased that we have secured John's services. He brings with him a range of experiences at local, regional and national level that will serve the Trust well as we seek to develop and broaden our remit."

Mr Cove was equally happy to be taking up the role: "I am enormously honoured and delighted to be appointed as Chief Executive and look forward to helping the Trust develop further the good work already being delivered on a daily basis throughout the area.

"The opportunities arising out of the Football Club's presence in Milton Keynes are unique and mean that the biggest and most exciting challenge is to ensure that the power of sport the Football Club represents is combined with education in a positive way to benefit all sectors of our community."  

Club Chairman Pete Winkelman added: "I'm also delighted that the Trust has appointed John to his new role. In bringing football to Milton Keynes it was always our intention to establish a legacy of working with and in the community we serve. This represents an important step towards that aim."

Congratulations to Mr Cove on his appointed and we wish him the best of luck in his new role, one that we're sure will be vital in the development of the football club in the community.