WISA has considered the DTB strategy papers and we have particular concerns about the Community and Stadium elements. We have written to the Dons Trust and the letter can be found below.
WISA believes that Merton must remain a high priority for both our community and stadium options and that this is in line with the aims and objectives of both WISA and the Dons Trust. We are not opposed to working with Kingston but believe that our focus must remain in widening and deepening our links with Merton and its communities.
WISA therefore urges supporters to attend the DT meeting on the 28th of May for this vital debate. We would urge you to support any proposals to refer these sections back to the board or to amend them to restate Merton as our primary objective. If neither is possible we would reluctantly ask you to vote to reject them.
If you are a DT member or are unable to attend please send an email expressing your opinions to (david.cox@thedonstrust.org) we would urge you to ensure your view is heard on what is probably the single most important debate since the 30th of May 2002.
Letter:
Dear David,
I am writing to you to outline some fundamental concerns that the committee of the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) has with the Special General Meeting Strategy review. Our concerns seem to be echoed by a considerable number of our members and the wider supporter base.
In particular, we are concerned with what we believe is an insufficient agenda surrounding the stadium issue. You may be aware that one of WISA’s ongoing key objectives is to organise an enthusiastic and realistic campaign to return the Club to its own stadium in or as near as possible to the London Borough of Merton.
WISA believes that there is considerable appetite amongst the supporter base for the Club to return to Merton, and Wimbledon in particular. WISA is also encouraged that there is now considerable cross-party support at returning the Club home from local politicians and businesses. The opposition Labour leader has publicly stated that returning the Club to Merton would be at the top of their agenda if they are elected, whilst the Conservative leader has promised to lobby the London Mayor to support any proposed move.
WISA is encouraged by point 20 in the strategy review which states that we will continue to develop our ideas for the possible development of a football stadium on the site of the Greyhound stadium in Wimbledon. However, WISA remains disappointed that the strategy review has only focussed on the Greyhound Stadium and has neglected other potential sites within the Borough. In fact, talking to the Wimbledon Guardian, Merton’s opposition leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said a range of potential sites could be opened up in the borough’s green spaces around existing sports facilities, including the All England Club, Tooting and Mitcham’ football ground in Imperial Fields, or Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium in Plough Lane.
WISA has no objections to stadium improvements at Kingsmeadow and bringing the ground up to Football League standard. WISA believes, however, that this should be done in a continued calculated manner, in line with immediate and short-term needs, as shown through work to extend the Tempest End roof, the addition of turnstiles and Paul Strank stand extension. By proceeding in this way, WISA believes that we will not financially undermine any potential opportunities to return to Merton.
WISA does not believe that Kingsmeadow, in its current design, is a viable high level Football League stadium. WISA believes that to obtain the standard required would result in extensive demolition and rebuilding of the current site or relocating the stadium within the current boundaries. WISA believes that by doing this, the opportunity to return to Merton would be lost forever.
WISA would like to see significantly more focus within the review of evaluating options within Merton. WISA believes that in the long term our future is likely to be more prosperous within our own community and that we would prefer to see our own
community benefit more financially and recreationally from having a vibrant fan owned Club within its boundaries.
We would encourage the Club and Trust to continue to have extensive dialogue with the decision makers within Merton and consider and evaluate the potential viability on more scenarios than just the Greyhound Stadium. WISA would like to offer our continued assistance with this issue.
Finally, WISA disagrees that Kingston is our community. Whilst we naturally understand that we do attract supporters from within the community, it remains our fundamental view that Kingstonian FC should have the responsibility of representing their own community, whilst AFC Wimbledon represents the community of Wimbledon and Merton. WISA believes that remaining on good terms with Kingstonian FC, giving them opportunities to develop within their community and by providing facilities for them to carry out community work would be extremely well received by Kingston Council.
As it stands, and with the information provided to the Trust’s membership, the WISA
Committee believes that it is unable to recommend that the trust membership votes yes to the Strategy review on the stadium and community issues.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Wheeler
Chair, Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association
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