Five teams have done it before, can MK Dons be the next?

Former England international Gareth Barry sees no reason why MK Dons cannot dream of celebrating promotion again this time next year.

Paul Warne’s side booked their spot back in the third tier of English football last season by finishing second in League Two and are keen to force the issue again next season, with CEO Neil Hart setting his sights on a top six finish next term.

They will have their work cut out for them though, with the likes of Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton tipped highly to be amongst those fighting for the title next term by bookmakers.

No fewer than five teams have done the double when it comes to winning promotion from League Two to the Championship in consecutive years, with Wrexham being the most recent to do so, in fact doing the treble by going from the National League to the brink of the Premier League in three years.

Peterborough United did so at the expense of MK Dons in 2009, having followed Paul Ince’s side up in 2007 before pipping the side, then under the guidance of Roberto Di Matteo, a year later to the final automatic promotion spot.

Steve Evans’ Rotherham United also claimed promotion from Leagues Two and One in 2012-14, as did Burton (2014-16) and Luton (17-19) before Wrexham’s feat a couple of years ago.

Speaking to Action Network, ex-Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder Barry said with the types of club who have achieved the feat before, there is no reason Dons cannot replicate them and set their sights on the Championship next season.

He said: “Achieving back-to-back promotions from League Two to League One is a relatively common feat in English football so MK Dons fans might be dreaming of that.

“Having said that, the primary goal after promotion is usually to solidify your position for a year, if MK Dons start the season well, they can certainly ride that wave.

“Back-to-back promotions have been done a lot down the years, there is no reason why MK Dons can’t do it.”