Guest Bilo Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 AFC Wimbledon's angry mob rise up to embarrass FAJulian Bennetts 09.09.10 When Wimbledon fans decided to form their own club in protest at the Dons' move to Milton Keynes, a Football Association commission said their plans “were not in the wider interests of football”. Eight years on and AFC Wimbledon can dream of promotion to the Football League as they head into Saturday's home game with Bath City top of the Blue Square Premier. AFC Wimbledon are a club built on anger and disenfranchisement but manager Terry Brown makes it clear they see their success as a victory for the common supporter. Entirely fan-owned and run in part by a team of 250 volunteers they achieved four promotions in seven seasons to stand one rung below the Football League. They finished eighth last term, and the decision to go full-time this summer is paying off. They are now just 43 places behind the MK Dons in the League ladder, and Brown voices the outrage that the club still feel about the events of 2002. “Wimbledon were sold down the river by the Football Association, and we are trying to get back what is rightfully ours,” he said. “Whoever said AFC Wimbledon wasn't in the wider interests of football' should be eating a large amount of humble pie. What we are doing is for the benefit of fans, which has to be in the wider interests of football. We don't want a benefactor to come in and tell us what to do — the fans decide our future, and that is one of the things I love most about this incredible journey.” Around 1700 fans pay £25-a-year to be a member of The Dons Trust, which elects a board of nine that rules on all major changes at the club. Most football decisions, such as signings, are made by a smaller committee. Money is tight, as shown by Brown's recruitment strategy with a core of senior players supplemented by young talent. “Most of the players we look to bring in still live at home with their mums,” said Brown. “Apart from a few senior players you couldn't afford to have a wife and a mortgage on what we pay but we tell these kids that they can be Football League players, and they can achieve that with us. “Whatever we do has to be sustainable. We are trying to rebuild this club, and part of that process is to move back to Merton, Wimbledon's home. We are very settled in Kingston-upon-Thames but we want to move back to SW19, and the aim is to return as a League club. “We have a much smaller budget than Luton and Crawley Town — but with the magic of football, who knows?” If they did go up, then AFC would be a step closer to playing MK Dons in the ultimate grudge match. But Brown said: “I think the feelings are still too raw for us to play them. There's too much bitterness still there, and it wouldn't be good for our club if that game happened soon — let's hope it's three or four years down the line. “If and when we do get back to the League I'm sure every proper football fan will rejoice with us.” Cracking article from the London Evening Standard and really highlights the enormity of what Wimbledon have achieved. It only seems like five minutes ago they were celebrating winning the Combined Counties League, 8 divisions below the Premier League. They could potentially play MK Dons next season in the league, which seems amazing. They haven't spent like mad, have a young team and are entirely fan owned and run. If they are promoted to League Two, it would send out a genuinely great message to football in my opinion. The only question mark for me is their ground, Kingsmeadow holds less than 5000 with only around 1300 of that seated, which I'm pretty sure doesn't meet Football League standards. I really, really hope history doesn't repeat itself and they're forced to ground share again, a situation that killed Wimbledon FC. They are in the fortunate position of actually owning the ground however, so there could be the chance of expansion that unfortunately didn't exist at Plough Lane. There could also be the chance of them buying Wimbledon Stadium, a greyhound track that's been struggling for money for a few years and is ironically on Plough Lane itself. Either way, I'm sure most football fans wish Wimbledon all the best and would love to see them promoted. I just hope that they continue to progress after winning back their league place rather than repeat the past.
Fosse Boy Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 Here's hoping they're back in the league soon. Them and FCUM are the models on which every football club in this country should be run in my opinion.
Samilktray Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 Give it 2 years and theyll be sold to a Oil Tycoon from Kuwait or something.
Corky Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 It would be some achievement if they get into the league less than a decade after forming.
Lamby Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 Not a bad team really, beat us 2-0 in pre-season, ground is easy to get to as well
Tubes Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 No true football fan can dislike this team. I look forward to the day they are higher in the league than MK, and I dont think itll be too long...
talkfoxes.com Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 Milton Keynes cheated there way up to the football league really, what's the final nail in the coffin is that only six years of history & they get chosen for world cup stadium for 2018. While Leicester 125 years old doesn't get a look in
dandannieldanok Posted 9 September 2010 Posted 9 September 2010 Here's hoping they're back in the league soon. Them and FCUM are the models on which every football club in this country should be run in my opinion. They have right intentions, but ultimately just as money-grabbing as the club their fans used to support.
Ricey Posted 10 September 2010 Posted 10 September 2010 Due to SI sponsoring Wimbledon I've played at Kingsmeadow against their coaching and backroom staff a couple of times, including the legend that is Marcus Gayle, and I have to say it is a fantastic club. The people that run the club are all genuine fans who are there through their love of the club and not through financial gain, which creates a great community atmosphere round the place. There is also room for expansion at Kingsmeadow, but they have been talking about finding funds to build a new stadium in or around Merton. Fingers crossed they can get back into the Football League, where they belong.
LCFC-ARAB Posted 10 September 2010 Posted 10 September 2010 They have right intentions, but ultimately just as money-grabbing as the club their fans used to support. How are they? Fans can pay what they like for a season ticket!
Guest Bilo Posted 10 September 2010 Posted 10 September 2010 They have right intentions, but ultimately just as money-grabbing as the club their fans used to support. What ARAB said. And matchday tickets are all less than a tenner. Their club constitution also states that they're not for profit, so all ticket and merchandise sales go back into the running of the club.
dandannieldanok Posted 10 September 2010 Posted 10 September 2010 How are they? Fans can pay what they like for a season ticket! On at least two separate occasions the club has been embroiled in rows with other clubs over policing costs and gate receipts at Gigg Lane fixtures. I should have made it clear that's the slant I was taking with the money-grabbing, not what they charge for their own fans which I agree is a good concept.
CosbehFox Posted 10 September 2010 Posted 10 September 2010 There is also room for expansion at Kingsmeadow, but they have been talking about finding funds to build a new stadium in or around Merton. Planning pernisson was in for the necessary expansion. I say expansion but it's probably just about making more seating available and press facilities. The stadium looks no worse than Dagenham's. The whole incident of have AFC W became owners of Kingsmeadow is a rather cloudy issue with stories depending who you believe. Either way Kingstonian play there for a pound p/a. What ARAB said. And matchday tickets are all less than a tenner. Their club constitution also states that they're not for profit, so all ticket and merchandise sales go back into the running of the club. However, hosting FCUM can be an expensive exercise. Non-league clubs consistently make a loss for hosting them due to the policing costs. They are going to find it tough in the next year with Bury charging a high sum for renting the ground, the playing squad budget is substanially decreased and their performance have levelled out now. They have just unvealed plans for a new stadium.....at the old Newton Heath area of Manchester.....which happens to be a mile away from Eastland and a mile away from Oldham's proposed ground (harsh on them).
MC Prussian Posted 11 September 2010 Posted 11 September 2010 Beat Bath City 4-0 at home today - top of the league.
Guest Bilo Posted 11 September 2010 Posted 11 September 2010 Beat Bath City 4-0 at home today - top of the league. Was going to post this. They've had a fantastic start to the season. Hope they have the squad depth to carry it through all the way.
Salieri Posted 11 September 2010 Posted 11 September 2010 Ive looked out for their results ever since they reformed. Delighted with the way they're progressing.
stulch Posted 9 October 2010 Posted 9 October 2010 Planning pernisson was in for the necessary expansion. I say expansion but it's probably just about making more seating available and press facilities. The stadium looks no worse than Dagenham's. What's required:- http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/features.php?Psection_id=8&Psub_section_id=22&news_id=5244 I'll be interested to hear what they say about a new ground on Saturday! Hopefully good news!
Mack Posted 9 October 2010 Posted 9 October 2010 Bottom line, when Winkleman got the green light to move the club to Milton Keynes 700 people protested. Just shows Wimbledon as it existed as an entity with no home ground and playing infront of 2000 fans at smellhurst park was a no go. If you want to blame someone blame Merton council. When The Dons left Plough Lane because of safety licence issues etc Sam Hamman the Chairman was assured they would get planning permission to come back, they lied, got the club out and shut the door.
stulch Posted 9 October 2010 Posted 9 October 2010 Just shows Wimbledon as it existed as an entity with no home ground and playing infront of 2000 fans at smellhurst park was a no go. If I remember rightly by that point Wimbledon fans were boycotting games, they weren't prepared to further line the pockets of the then owners who wanted to take their club away by moving it elsewhere or were understandably disillusioned with what had been allowed to happen even prior to that. I also understand Sam Hamman pocketed £5M from the sale of Plough Lane so there are plenty of other guilty figures if Merton Council were. To imply there was no alternative is wrong, owners with conscience would have acted differently, to get 3,500 in a level 8 league doesn't to me suggest a lack of potential even if they had previously been punching above their weight at the top level. Owners should have been looking at sites around the local area for a new ground (closer than 50 miles away) rather than how to make money selling football supporters down the river.
Guest Bilo Posted 9 October 2010 Posted 9 October 2010 Wimbledon FC grew much too quickly and ended up victims of their own success. With their fanbase, there should be no reason why they can't survive long term as a lower league club. Of course, Winkleman was determined they were never going to have the chance to do so. Best of luck to AFCW, the day they finish about the Franchise in the pyramid is the day justice is done.
BoneDog Posted 10 October 2010 Posted 10 October 2010 I've got my fingers crossed for a Wimbledon and Crawley promotion party. If that comes off I'm going to get in 8 Newcastle Browns and I might even have 1 of them Marijuanana splaff things that my mates are always goin on about. It's gonna be crazy
purpleronnie Posted 10 October 2010 Posted 10 October 2010 I've got my fingers crossed for a Wimbledon and Crawley promotion party. If that comes off I'm going to get in 8 Newcastle Browns and I might even have 1 of them Marijuanana splaff things that my mates are always goin on about. It's gonna be crazy Agree about AFC but not a fan of Crawley T and how they conduct their business.
MC Prussian Posted 10 October 2010 Posted 10 October 2010 Agree about AFC but not a fan of Crawley T and how they conduct their business. I thought they were cleared off all debts this summer? The new owners have nothing to do with the Majeeds. But my sympathies are with AFC Wimbledon, anyway.
purpleronnie Posted 10 October 2010 Posted 10 October 2010 Its the foreign investors again throwing huge sums of money around at that level and the manager well...... Usually ends in tears, and a club of that size could be destroyed, hopefully everything will go well and they dont get bored and fook off wanting their cash back.
BoneDog Posted 10 October 2010 Posted 10 October 2010 Agree about AFC but not a fan of Crawley T and how they conduct their business. Oh I don't know about any of that business with Crawley, I just wanted to see some new faces in the league. I'll look into that and may change allegiances to Fleetwood or Gateshead along with Wimbledon of course!
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