| David Hall |
Not being a member I feel it rather inappropriate to suggest what its role might be now but it has obviously carried out some very valuable work including negotiating the return of the original Wimbledon honours, the landmarks at Plough Lane and challenging MK where appropriate. WISA's main aim is obviously to focus on a return of the club to Wimbledon - which I support - but not at any cost. It is good that it is independent of the DT and the club and as long as it is able to maintain a healthy membership I think it has a useful role to play. |
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| Mark Davis |
It's not really for me to pontificate on this, because I'm not a member. I think that WISA does have a role but that, as the DT is running our club, it's a fairly small role. So WISA:
" Has a part to play in acting as a forum through which supporters can orchestrate objections to actions taken by the DTB (the counter-argument being: why can't the Trust itself provide such a forum?);
" Can probably afford to adopt a more strident tone on franchising (and on one particular franchise) than the club and trust.
I appreciate the opportunity to respond to a questionnaire like this, so well done WISA. But I'm not quite sure why this is being organised by WISA rather than the Trust.
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| Nicole Hammond |
WISA's role has changed, but is still vital, in my opinion. I believe there should always be an independent voice in a football club, even if it is fan-owned and everybody mostly gets along, and WISA has proved that it is flexible enough to adapt to changing situations. Recent successes such as leading lengthy and arduous negotiations to reclaim the club's patrimony, and ensuring a monument is put up in Plough Lane are testimony to this. WISA is more active in the FSF and better placed to communicate with other fans' bodies; I think as Wimbledon fans we have a lot to offer football in England. But the main thing is the "I" - however well the trust is run, I feel more comfortable knowing that in effect, there is someone out there watching the watchmen. |
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| Kate Terriere |
I think WISA has a very important role to play as exactly what it is - an independent association for the supporters. It is there to represent the supporters and should there ever be a conflict between the actions of the Board / Trust and what the majority of the supporters want then WISA can be that independent body to represent them. |
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| Kris Stewart |
I've always been surprised that WISA doesn't act more collectively within AFC Wimbledon. I expected WISA to ask for a co-opted place on the board (the Trust board, that is - I only ever refer to the Trust board as "the board"). I expected WISA to take a position on various issues and argue them, as WISA, within the Trust and I'm surprised that it doesn't. I think, were I an active member of WISA, I would be arguing for that.
I would expect WISA to have an ongoing, formal relationship with AFC Wimbledon - regular meetings at board / committee level, for example.
I completely reject the idea that WISA is there to do the things that AFC Wimbledon is scared to do itself. That's not to knock WISA for those things it does - I've been impressed by much of WISA's activity. But WISA's existence is no excuse for AFC Wimbledon to shy away from taking a decisive public stand on important issues.
I think this questionnaire is an excellent idea and I've read the questions and answers carefully before voting in the past. Keep up the good work! How about, in future, inviting candidates to a meeting of members for a Q&A session?
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| Lee Willett |
I have always believed that WISA's role is to support the club as much as it possibly can but, most importantly, to provide a forum for fans to express their views - especially if those views differ from that of the Club/Trust. |
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| Stephen Cooles |
I admire the work that WISA has done in the past, not least around the issue of the patrimony and the work with Barratt housing on the Plough Lane site.
I see the work that WISA does sits alongside the work the Dons Trust and Club does, as there are issues where it is useful for the Club/DT to keep a slight distance, whereas WISA can fight our corner well.
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| Tom Adam |
WISA has converted itself from a protest-related organisation into one that has taken a constructive role in matters such as the negotiation of the trademarks and silverware, etc, with “them”. This was a superb piece of work and was something that might have been hard for the Trust to negotiate.
Similarly, there is a role for WISA in responding to the World Cup issue, sometimes saying things that the Trust can’t easily do. WISA also has a role to play in keeping an eye on the work of the Trust and raising anything that appears to be inconsistent with our values
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| Simon Bath |
A large one, WISA's independence has led the way in much of the clubs achievments and should continue to do so. |
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| David Growns |
I think its very healthy to have an independent supporters group. WISA gets involved in things like the commemoration at Plough Lane and the return of the patrimony. It can also agitate more militantly than the club, speaking out when the Trust Board has to be more circumspect. |
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| Damian Woodward |
Interesting, because my opinion has changed somewhat. It started with the patronage and has also come to mind recently in the Wimbledon v Kingston debate. Firstly, I think probably only WISA, as a link to the past and completely independent body could have negotiated the return of our history and that made me think about its role again. Secondly, because of the fantastic progress we have made on the pitch I think both the Club, the Trust Board and many fans have lost sight of what we are about. That is Wimbledon F.C in Wimbledon. I guess this is where I see WISA stepping in still and constantly reminding us all of where this journey started. |
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| Christopher Gibbs |
I hope very little is needed. I guess WISA will argue that it is the club's guardian angel and there to make sure it holds true to its fundamental aims. It has to be careful that it doesn't become the club's cranky mother-in-law. Please read my answer to the very last question to understand why I say this. |
