November 27th was a bitter sweet day for many Wimbledon fans, as it saw the formal naming of the development on our former home at Plough Lane. Ten winners of a WISA draw joined representatives of WISA, Barratt Homes, Merton Council, AFC Wimbledon and the Dons Trust at the site for the formal ceremony and unveiling of the plaque.

WISA were particularly delighted to have arranged for Victor Reynolds and his wife Iris, along with Eddie Reynolds’ cousin Joan, to attend as the whole development is to be named Reynolds Gate. Also present were Lawrie Sanchez and Allen Batsford, after whom two of the blocks have been named, Peter Miller (former director of Wimbledon FC), Ivor Heller and David Cox on behalf of AFC Wimbledon and The Dons Trust.

The event took the format of a short reception, followed by speeches from the managing director of Barratt Homes (South East) Trevor Sawyer and the Mayor of Merton, Cllr Martin Whelton. Both commented upon having been brought up locally and attended matches at Plough Lane over many years. And both recognised that the development and the event would inevitably cause thoughts about how we might still have been at the ground, in other circumstances.

I completed the speeches on behalf of WISA, thanking Barratt for their support in commemorating the site’s historic place as the home of Wimbledon FC, and speaking of the mixed feelings that an event such as this brought up for those present who had spent so many years watching football on the site. I took the opportunity to welcome Victor, Iris and Joan and say how delighted we were to have the family of our legendary striker Eddie Reynolds with us on this occasion. Finally, I read the following letter from Eddie’s widow Patsy, who now lives in Canada:

Dear Sean

Thank you so much for your recent letter regarding the Plough Lane housing development. I have not been able to reply sooner due to health problems. I hope you will understand.

You can just imagine the joy I felt when I heard that the Plough Lane development will be named “ Reynolds Gate” after Eddie. I want to thank all those who voted for him.

I believe that our souls live on after we leave this planet and that Eddie is aware of this honour, and I know he would feel pride with much humility. That is the way he always felt about his football accomplishments. He was a great guy with a wonderful sense of humour and although our marriage was cut short due to his illness he left me with an abundance of very happy memories. Had he lived he would have been 73 years of age this year.


Thank you again for remembering me, I always love hearing from you all, best wishes to all of you


Sincerely

Patsy Reynolds


The event concluded with the unveiling of the plaque, located on the wall of the main building on the corner of Plough Lane and Durnsford Road. This is a temporary location until the development is completed, when the plaque will be moved to stand alongside the artwork commemorating our former home.

Finally, guests who wished to have a look around the site were taken on a tour (along with many others, I declined politely).

WISA would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended the event and those who helped to ensure there is a permanent recognition of our former home in the borough. We will continue to work with Barratt on the artwork for the site and the time-capsule over the next year or so.

Sean Fox


Reynolds' Gate Plaque