AFC Wimbledon

[chippendale]

At least we aren't the only team looking for a new ground and having problems. From the Evening Standard


AFC Wimbledon lose another fight

14 March 2003

AFC Wimbledon will be forced to continue playing outside their home borough after proposals for a groundshare were thrown out last night.

Merton Council's planning committee voted 6-0 against the team sharing with Tooting & Mitcham at their Imperial Fields stadium from next season in front of a packed audience of jubilant local residents.

Despite the efforts of the leader of Merton Council, Andrew Judge, the club formed by fans in July 2002 will now have to step up their efforts to raise £11 million to buy the old Wimbledon club's site at Plough Lane.

 

[Heston Bee]

That's scandalous, what reasons were given for them outrightly rejecting this proposal?

I imagine that because Tooting & Mitcham's ground is in a residential area with already busy roads (especially on a Saturday) that this would've influenced this.

hasn't the old Plough Lane site already been bought and planning proposals submitted for work there? I know there's been work going on there for a while - Plough Lane is always busy due to roadworks and construction.

 

[CJC]

I think they could buy Plough Lane for £11m or something, I think Merton were trying to not let anything go through on the site until wimbledon could get an offer in.

 

[LIONHEART]

I think they could buy Plough Lane for £11m or something, I think Merton were trying to not let anything go through on the site until wimbledon could get an offer in.

arnt they going to milton keynes

 

[RodBee]

That's the league team - this is the 'reformed' team set up by the supporters!

 

[LIONHEART]

That's the league team - this is the 'reformed' team set up by the supporters!

ok gotch ya but why would they want to buy plough lane if there moving to milton keyens.

 

[LIONHEART]

GO MK GO

 

[homerbees]

i hate charles koppell their chairman he has now made them a milton keynes side, they are no longer a london team.

 

[LIONHEART]

WHAT SORT OF CROWDS DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GET IN MK-WILL THE LOCALS TAKE TO THEM.

 

[parachute]

The Cobblers will kick their bleedin heads in more like, too right an all, they are scabs.

Ben Chorley hang your head in shame.

 

[Gee Bee]

As BFC are not going to be playing at Kingstonian next season maybe AFCW would like to give us £60K to take our place.

 

[abee]

As BFC are not going to be playing at Kingstonian next season maybe AFCW would like to give us £60K to take our place.

The £60k was not the rent Gee Bee; it was the OPTION MONIES (now dead and lost) to play at Kingsmeadow at a rental of £125k per season which is probably beyond AFC Wimbledon's pocket.

The numbers never did make any sense and the payment of the £60k approved by the board of directors ( oh no I'm sorry we now know that they were not responsible for anything and it was all the fault of RN) bought us nothing other than the right to exercise the option to play at Kingsmeadow. The option has now lapsed. This deal was done during the ABGP (anywhere but Griffin Park ) panic. We now know that the monies were blithely paid away without even a passing nod to a business plan. :sad:

 

[beezy babe]

WHAT SORT OF CROWDS DO YOU THINK THEY WILL GET IN MK-WILL THE LOCALS TAKE TO THEM.

Yes they are coming to Milton Keynes - the local papers are already following their results, the local bars have Dons shirts and scarves up - it is gonna happen! And yes unfortunately, they will get plenty of support from the locals.

Give it five years and Wimbledon will be forgotton and they will be MK Dons. It's a done deal.

 

[Beeing Active]

I went to watch Bedfont v AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday as a few of my sunday team play for Bedfont.Wimbledon had a very good following for a Tuesday night considering MAN URE were on the box and Pal-arse were playing Milton Keynes Wombles,must have 650+.

I got chatting to a few of their fans and they were genuine grass roots fans and i hope they get success for their sake as they deserve it.

 

[GP200]

I went to watch Bedfont v AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday as a few of my sunday team play for Bedfont.Wimbledon had a very good following for a Tuesday night considering MAN URE were on the box and Pal-arse were playing Milton Keynes Wombles,must have 650+.

I got chatting to a few of their fans and they were genuine grass roots fans and i hope they get success for their sake as they deserve it.

................they got their success then............................................

 

[nocoat]

whose cess?

 

[JTofBFC]

Really cannot belive Kingsmeadow is considered suitable for League Football.

Are we going to see history repeat itself here...........ie AFC Wimbledon stay in the League next year, need a new ground to move on so merge with some town that needs a football club !

I guess I am in the minority here but I think we should be maintaining minimum league standards that are better than Kingsmeadow.

 

[vcmazz]

I guess I am in the minority here but I think we should be maintaining minimum league standards that are better than Kingsmeadow.

Why? Who gives feck? I couldn't give a monkeys if they play their home games on Wimbledon Common. They are there on merit - not seating arrangements, and bloody good on 'em! WTG Wimbledon! Welcome back and feck MK Dongles .

P.S. Kingsmeadow is one hell of an improvement on Plough Lane :yes:.

 

[rebus]

Really cannot belive Kingsmeadow is considered suitable for League Football.

Are we going to see history repeat itself here...........ie AFC Wimbledon stay in the League next year, need a new ground to move on so merge with some town that needs a football club !

I guess I am in the minority here but I think we should be maintaining minimum league standards that are better than Kingsmeadow.

I tend to agree but when the League allow Accrington's ground to pass it makes Kingsmeadow look like a palace.

 

[Brentford 4 Life]

Kingsmeadow is a tidy ground, good transport links, a nice sized bar, 4 sides are all roofed, new toilets albeit they are small, nice seating facilities in the main stand. Decent playing surface. Its not a 30,000 souless all seater but its more than fine for L2 and probably L1 if grounds like the Withdean, Underhiill, Dagenham, Luton, Rotherham and Accy are allowed. The only bad thing is that it isnt Kingstonian's anymore .

 

[Railway Side Bee]

Really cannot belive Kingsmeadow is considered suitable for League Football.

Are we going to see history repeat itself here...........ie AFC Wimbledon stay in the League next year, need a new ground to move on so merge with some town that needs a football club !

I guess I am in the minority here but I think we should be maintaining minimum league standards that are better than Kingsmeadow.

Yeah, I reckon we should stop Wimbledon from coming up to the league and snuff out one of the great fairytales in the game. Nine years from trials on Wimbledon Common to League status. What a brilliant achievement, particularly in an age when money apparently rules so much of the game. Provided no one is likely to get killed watching football at Kingsmeadow, why should we or anyone else give a monkeys what their ground looks or feels like? Perhaps you would prefer that we make Wimbledon wait another nine years until they can afford to have a ground just like Shrewsbury's out of town Legoland Park, or how about one of the many other delightfully soulful ground that have been created in recent years? Or perhaps we should insist they ground-share at Selhurst Park again - nothing could possibly go wrong with that arrangement. I'm sure, whatever is decreed, that the priority for all those loyal Wimbledon supporters will not be playing league football, but to be able to get a nice comfy seat with an unrestricted view, accompanied by a nice game pie and a glass of chablis. Sorry - I cannot disagree more strongly with your post.

 

[jlove]

The fairy-tale of AFC Wimbledon is the stuff of hero comics; creating a club from scratch and getting into the league. FC United of Manchester have the same ambition and good luck to them, too. Accrington Stanley resurrected and there's plenty of others with similar tales, dubious dealings (allegedly), 4,000-odd capacity (plus 140 parking spaces) and run on a shoe-string. AFCW are on the border of our catchment area, though, so it's difficult to assess whether they are likely to woo away any floating supporters or generate a little more local interest in attending league football. My general opinion... I don't really care.

 

[JTofBFC]

Yeah, I reckon we should stop Wimbledon from coming up to the league and snuff out one of the great fairytales in the game. Nine years from trials on Wimbledon Common to League status. What a brilliant achievement, particularly in an age when money apparently rules so much of the game. Provided no one is likely to get killed watching football at Kingsmeadow, why should we or anyone else give a monkeys what their ground looks or feels like? Perhaps you would prefer that we make Wimbledon wait another nine years until they can afford to have a ground just like Shrewsbury's out of town Legoland Park, or how about one of the many other delightfully soulful ground that have been created in recent years? Or perhaps we should insist they ground-share at Selhurst Park again - nothing could possibly go wrong with that arrangement. I'm sure, whatever is decreed, that the priority for all those loyal Wimbledon supporters will not be playing league football, but to be able to get a nice comfy seat with an unrestricted view, accompanied by a nice game pie and a glass of chablis. Sorry - I cannot disagree more strongly with your post.

So when we get drawn against them in the JPT and we get offered 150 tickets you'll be happy will you.

I have no objection to AFC or anyone for that matter coming into the league, I just think they should be better prepared for it and if they haven't got a stadium that doesn't meet certain standards then the fact it is a "fairytale" means jack sh*t as far as I am concerned. I have been to Kingsmeadow on numerous occasions and unless there have been some fairly significant improvements to it then it is about as far from a league ground as anything in the Blue Sq Premier.

When you say "provided nobody is likely to get killed at Kingsmeadow" then maybe that is part of the reason why minimum standards should apply. Good luck to them but they need to make sure their facilities keep pace with their on the field achievements. So far that hasn't happened.

 

[markyst]

I have no objection to AFC or anyone for that matter coming into the league, I just think they should be better prepared for it and if they haven't got a stadium that doesn't meet certain standards then the fact it is a "fairytale" means jack sh*t as far as I am concerned. :

It has met league standards or they wouldn't be allowed in.

Some of the work has already been done and some is being done over the Summer.

Good luck to them.

 

[Railway Side Bee]

So when we get drawn against them in the JPT and we get offered 150 tickets you'll be happy will you.

I have no objection to AFC or anyone for that matter coming into the league, I just think they should be better prepared for it and if they haven't got a stadium that doesn't meet certain standards then the fact it is a "fairytale" means jack sh*t as far as I am concerned. I have been to Kingsmeadow on numerous occasions and unless there have been some fairly significant improvements to it then it is about as far from a league ground as anything in the Blue Sq Premier.

When you say "provided nobody is likely to get killed at Kingsmeadow" then maybe that is part of the reason why minimum standards should apply. Good luck to them but they need to make sure their facilities keep pace with their on the field achievements. So far that hasn't happened.

Presumably they have to fulfil certain criteria to get into the league, and certain conditions to play in the JPT. What exactly do you want them to do, over and above what they have achieved, and what exactly are you looking for in a football ground? I've been to Scarborough, Halifax, Morecambe, Cambridge and Dagenham, to see us play in the league, and their grounds were pretty basic, but I don't recall having a problem with that. Quite the opposite. Their grounds have/had an authenticity that beats most modern grounds hands down.

By the way, if you don't think Wimbledon should be allowed into the league, presumably you'd welcome Luton? Kenilworth Rd has always been a joyous away trip, and I particularly like those naff corporate boxes on the left hand side of the ground.

 

[jbolas]

So when we get drawn against them in the JPT and we get offered 150 tickets you'll be happy will you.

I have no objection to AFC or anyone for that matter coming into the league, I just think they should be better prepared for it and if they haven't got a stadium that doesn't meet certain standards then the fact it is a "fairytale" means jack sh*t as far as I am concerned. I have been to Kingsmeadow on numerous occasions and unless there have been some fairly significant improvements to it then it is about as far from a league ground as anything in the Blue Sq Premier.

When you say "provided nobody is likely to get killed at Kingsmeadow" then maybe that is part of the reason why minimum standards should apply. Good luck to them but they need to make sure their facilities keep pace with their on the field achievements. So far that hasn't happened.

The away allocation is around 500 so is a big enough allocation for most teams in league 2.

 

[Basil Brush]

My neighbour (a floating bees fan for a dozen games a season) is happy as he is looking forward to popping along to a few games at Kingsmeadow now. I wonder how many other floating supporters are thinking the same...

 

[JTofBFC]

Presumably they have to fulfil certain criteria to get into the league, and certain conditions to play in the JPT. What exactly do you want them to do, over and above what they have achieved, and what exactly are you looking for in a football ground? I've been to Scarborough, Halifax, Morecambe, Cambridge and Dagenham, to see us play in the league, and their grounds were pretty basic, but I don't recall having a problem with that. Quite the opposite. Their grounds have/had an authenticity that beats most modern grounds hands down.

By the way, if you don't think Wimbledon should be allowed into the league, presumably you'd welcome Luton? Kenilworth Rd has always been a joyous away trip, and I particularly like those naff corporate boxes on the left hand side of the ground.

Fair enough, I get the fairytale bit and I'm looking forward to the day they beat MK Dons in a league match as much as anyone. I still think Kingsmeadow is a sh**hole though and they have a couple of years to get it up to what the league regard as an acceptable standard - good luck. I suspect they will become nomadic however like their predecessors and their rapid success may ultimately be their downfall. We will see. From now on though they are rivals not a favourite uncle.

 

[ianallon]

Lots of locals aren't at all happy to see them get promotion. AFC came as paying guests, then bought the ground from under Kingstonian. They have given the Ks good terms, but many feel that they have been stabbed in the back by a club who should know better. How would we feel if that happened to us?

 

[Railway Side Bee]

Fair enough, I get the fairytale bit and I'm looking forward to the day they beat MK Dons in a league match as much as anyone. I still think Kingsmeadow is a sh**hole though and they have a couple of years to get it up to what the league regard as an acceptable standard - good luck. I suspect they will become nomadic however like their predecessors and their rapid success may ultimately be their downfall. We will see. From now on though they are rivals not a favourite uncle.

Not even Great Uncle Bulgaria?

 

[Sultan]

Potentially another drain on our fan base.

 

[Brentford 4 Life]

Lots of locals aren't at all happy to see them get promotion. AFC came as paying guests, then bought the ground from under Kingstonian. They have given the Ks good terms, but many feel that they have been stabbed in the back by a club who should know better. How would we feel if that happened to us?

It will be interesting to see what price the charge K's to buy it back when that inevitable day comes. That will really test how commercial they are. I suppose they have made upgrades to the place but kingsmeadow has provided theem a place to earn terrific revenue streams.

 

[westwing]

My neighbour (a floating bees fan for a dozen games a season) is happy as he is looking forward to popping along to a few games at Kingsmeadow now. I wonder how many other floating supporters are thinking the same...

Ah but BFC don't think we've got many floating fans !

 

[Salford Bee]

Well the likes of vcmazz don't think it's an issue. They're 7.7 miles and two buses away. That's not much further than our other local rivals, who are all in the Premier League.

Now AFCW are back in the League they'll start to get even more support from those older Wimbledon fans, who maybe didn't want to go to Sutton United, Hampton and Richmond etc. They will take some of those who go and watch Brentford from time to time away. They charge less than us, unless they increase their prices for next season.

 

[horshambees]

I may be in a minority but I do not get this back in the league thing.When have AFC Wimbledon,founded in 2002,played league football before.Wimbledons history is in Milton Keynes.Does that mean FC United were European Cup winners in 1968? fair play to the fairytale and all that,but AFCW were to be created regardless of where Wimbledon FC ended up.

 

[Wise old Bee]

I may be in a minority but I do not get this back in the league thing.When have AFC Wimbledon,founded in 2002,played league football before.Wimbledons history is in Milton Keynes.Does that mean FC United were European Cup winners in 1968? fair play to the fairytale and all that,but AFCW were to be created regardless of where Wimbledon FC ended up.

Quite right. It's not as if they were the first club to do this either as Aldershot dropped right down the leagues and climbed back.

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

I may be in a minority but I do not get this back in the league thing.When have AFC Wimbledon,founded in 2002,played league football before.Wimbledons history is in Milton Keynes.Does that mean FC United were European Cup winners in 1968? fair play to the fairytale and all that,but AFCW were to be created regardless of where Wimbledon FC ended up.

I think they have more right to the history than MK do - and I think the memorabilia from their FA Cup win were returned to Merton Council. Similarly, I'm not sure that AFC would have been created if Wimbledon had moved 5 or 6 miles away to another S London site

 

[Beesfan]

I may be in a minority but I do not get this back in the league thing.When have AFC Wimbledon,founded in 2002,played league football before.Wimbledons history is in Milton Keynes.Does that mean FC United were European Cup winners in 1968? fair play to the fairytale and all that,but AFCW were to be created regardless of where Wimbledon FC ended up.

Merton Council have the History of Wimbledon FC, if you go on MK Dons website they freely admit that they're history started in 2007. AFC Wimbledon where created when the FA allowed a football club to Franchsied. We should be supporting clubs like AFC Wimbledon not belittling their achievement. How would you feel if Brentford where moved 50 miles away!!!!

I think the point is that the Wimbledon are now once again represented in league football after having it taken from them.

 

[SpiderBee]

Many AFC fans continue to follow local non-league football as well as their own club.
There are regular followers at Colliers Wood United & Raynes Park Vale to name but 2 Combined Counties League clubs and quite a few still pop along to Sutton United and Tooting & Mitcham (who are in a bit of bother I hear)!
When CWUFC beat AFC in the Surrey Senior Cup this season, the 1st XI manager was an absolute gentleman all evening and their fans and players were impeccable.
I have had my issues with some AFC fans in the past but, generally, they have helped many clubs in the area in many ways.
I wish them well.

 

[Beesfan]

Quite right. It's not as if they were the first club to do this either as Aldershot dropped right down the leagues and climbed back.

No one is saying they are the first club to do this. Aldershot didn't have their club franchsied.

 

[SpiderBee]

AFC keeper, Seb Brown, who saved 2 pens v Luton comes from a family of Dons fans and was at the very first game at Sandhurst Town as a 12 year old.

 

[horshambees]

I am not taking anything away from what they have acheived,which is phenominal in anyones book,i am just stating that AFCW have never played in the FLge before and I wish them the best of luck.Incidentally the club would have been formed wether Wimbledon would have stayed at Selhurst or moved anywhere else for that matter,wether they would have had the sucess they have enjoyed could be debated.

 

[Beesfan]

Incidentally the club would have been formed wether Wimbledon would have stayed at Selhurst or moved anywhere else for that matter,wether they would have had the sucess they have enjoyed could be debated.

This is not true, AFC Wimbledon were formed 3 days after the FA gave the go ahead for the club to be relocated to Buckinghamshire.

 

[Nick Hester]

I may be in a minority but I do not get this back in the league thing.When have AFC Wimbledon,founded in 2002,played league football before.Wimbledons history is in Milton Keynes.Does that mean FC United were European Cup winners in 1968? fair play to the fairytale and all that,but AFCW were to be created regardless of where Wimbledon FC ended up.

My gripe is and always was that MK Dons as a totally 'new' club should have had to rise from the very bottom of the football pyramid like any other would have to...

 

[Beesfan]

My gripe is and always was that MK Dons as a totally 'new' club should have had to rise from the very bottom of the football pyramid like any other would have to...

........and it may have only taken them 9 years.

 

[Inappropriate Smilies Bee]

My neighbour (a floating bees fan for a dozen games a season) is happy as he is looking forward to popping along to a few games at Kingsmeadow now. I wonder how many other floating supporters are thinking the same...

exactly mate. loads of fairweathers from round kingston way will go to AFCW instead of BFC now.

 

['Ayes B]

Whilst the Fairy Tale is goo d news the fact that AFC Wimbledon are at Kingstonian is not.

I hop ethey do not muscle in our Clubs Football In The Community Catchment area

 

[Beeophile]

exactly mate. loads of fairweathers from round kingston way will go to AFCW instead of BFC now.

Maybe they want to see a team on the up rather then cemented in to the usual dissappointing position

Until we open a 'superstore' on the high st I don't think we'll have any bragging rights over Kingston. A town full of Chlesea supporting rugby fans.

 

[Salford Bee]

My gripe is and always was that MK Dons as a totally 'new' club should have had to rise from the very bottom of the football pyramid like any other would have to...

There was a Milton Keynes club which went bust, partly because of MKM

 

[jlove]

Isn't there a certain irony in AFC Wimbledon playing in the The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames? Shouldn't they be Norbiton Dons?