Make a Stand

Today saw the launch of the ‘Make a Stand’ campaign to coincide with the public share issue in AFCW Plc at Kingsmeadow Stadium.

Ivor opened the conference, giving a brief history of the formation of AFC Wimbledon following the FA Commission decision to permit the move of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes.

Lou then explained the role of The Dons Trust in AFC Wimbledon. With 2800 members, the Trust will continue to play a ‘strong role in the club’, acting as ‘overseer and guardian’.

Kris spoke about Kingsmeadow stadium, how fans have ‘enjoyed ourselves at the ground’, and how it ‘recalled memories of our non-league history’. He explained how Kingsmeadow was originally sold one year ago, and how it was to continue as the home of Kingstonian. ‘Kingstonians have a secure future’, he said, ‘they will earn income from the ground, something unheard of in ground sharing. It’s their home, and it’s our home’.

He also spoke about ‘The Fans Stadium’, how it is to be ‘a home to Kingstonian and AFC Wimbledon and ALL football fans’. It is also offered as a permanent home and office to the Football Supporters Federation. It is intended to be used for fixtures in the Supporters Direct Trust Cup, of which AFC Wimbledon are currently holders.
Following recent ground criteria changes, it also meets Football League criteria, ‘so it should do us for about 4 years’ [laughter all round]

Erik explained the £2.5m deal, and how it was time to ‘raise the money, without losing control of the club. This is a public share issue, and it is to be a share issue for all fans’. Copies of the prospectus will be sent to all Dons Trust members, Season Ticket holders, and will be available through the usual channels. Erik expressed his thanks to TBWA, and Trevor Beatty for their assistance in the campaign.

Trevor Beatty then explained how he is a Wolves supporter, but also a football supporter. He attended two games last season, and his overall impression was that the ‘crowd also included shirts from other clubs’. This was the message he went away with. ‘Club owners have lost sight of what they are doing….football’. He also spoke about Paul Silburn, a lifelong Dons supporter, who has worked on the John Smiths ‘Av it campaign. The advertisement was produced free of charge, with the film crew working for free, wearing their own club shirts. The advertisement will be distributed via websites, cinemas, viral emails – and any other method they can beg borrow or steal.

The advertisement was then shown to the press – it rocks!!

Kris also took the opportunity to thank Cohn and Wolfe, and looked forward to them representing AFC Wimbledon for the next twenty years, ‘for free of course’. [laughter]

A short question and answer session took place:

Q: What will ‘The Fans Stadium’ offer to fans around the country?
Kris: It will be a home to the Football Supporters Federation, a fans tournament, and the Supporters Direct Cup. The Fans Stadium website will also be an online resource to supporters of other clubs who find their club in crisis.

Q: What are your long term plans?
Kris: Champions League. [laughter]
The aim is to hopefully reach the Conference and turn professional in 5 years or so. Terry Eames was heard to gulp from the back of the hall.

Erik pointed out that AFC Wimbledon are the 90th biggest club in the country, a Conference sized cub in a Football League standard ground.
Trevor Beatty said it gave fans of other clubs (using Arsenal as an example) to see ‘real football’ if they were unable to travel far away.

Q: What reaction will be received from Wimbledon FC?
Kris: No idea of the reaction from a club in Milton Keynes about a club in South West London. It doesn’t keep us awake at night.

A selection of photographs from the press conference are available .

For full details of the campaign, and the TBWA advert, visit http://www.TheFansStadium.org