| David Hall |
I think the DT and the club have done an extraordinarily good job to get the debt down to a manageable size. And I have supported quite a number of the fundraising events that have been run.
I think the existing debt isn't actually a big problem. The bigger issue is going to be raising funds and taking on new borrowing to support the next stages in the clubs development if we are to rise up into the league and beyond.
We should continue to look at ways of raising funds from our existing and - hopefully - our expanding fanbase where possible but also look further afield including any new commercial opportunities. That said we must recognise that the national economy is likely to get worse before it gets better (despite what the government statistics say!) and accessing funds from individuals as well as public / private sources will be difficult as more of us begin to feel the pinch.
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| Mark Davis |
I chair the fundraising group, and we have a pipeline of projects coming up, including a special guest dinner (Terry's Tales - promises to be a great evening - credit goes to Simon Bath, among others), a sponsored walk and other things.
There are only so many big projects we can handle, unless the pool of project managers expands further, and there are risks if we over-commit ourselves. But I've been heartened by some enthusiastic new volunteers coming forward. So, overall, I think the strategy should be to keep a sustainable pipeline of projects to repay what is an overall manageable debt burden rather than jump at boom-or-bust projects.
A couple of other thoughts. First, to date, AFC Wimbledon has paid the interest on the club's borrowings but the Trust has been responsible for repaying principal. There's no inherent reason why that should be the natural order of things, and the terms of our loan with Barclays mean that the principal repayments will increase over time while the interest payments will get smaller (like a mortgage). I think we may need to review the relative burdens on the club and fundraising team for debt service at some stage. It would be good to take advantage of the current low interest rate environment to pay off debt a bit faster.
A second thought is addressed in Q13 below.
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| Nicole Hammond |
I get the feeling from the AGM that the debt is managable at the moment and we are paying it off regularly. Similar to question 10, I'd like more facts from the financial side of things before I'd feel the need to pay it off faster. I suppose a more relevant question would be, "should we significantly increase the club's debt?" - and that would depend on the benefits to be gained and would need a decision from the members, not just the board. |
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| Kate Terriere |
I would ask the relevant directors to look at our repayment package and make sure we had the best deal. I'm sure there are other Board members that are better placed to investigate this and I would trust them to do so. I think it is also key to ensure that we have regular income to help pay back the debt and that financial planning is based on sound assumptions - we should not take huge risks or rely on windfalls from cup runs or TV royalties etc. I would also seek to continue the great efforts that go in to fundraising and perhaps look at new ways / more commercial packages of raising monies. |
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| Kris Stewart |
I think the current level of debt and repayments thereof are healthy. |
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| Lee Willett |
The candidate has not submitted a response to this question |
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| Stephen Cooles |
I believe the club's debt is currently well managed, and also that it is the responsibility of the Club to make recommendations to the Board as to how best to manage the club's debt. It is the Board's responsibility to scrutinise these proposals, and ensure that they are satisfied that they will deliver long term health and on the field success.
In terms of what I would personally do, as my expertise is not in finance/accountancy etc, I would look to ensure that the Club and Board are receiving the best advice possible, to ensure that any decision taken was done so from a clear understanding of any given situation.
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| Tom Adam |
None, beyond what we currently already have. Debt is not a bad thing so long as it is properly managed and we know we can afford to repay it. The important thing is to make sure we can continue to maintain our fundraising efforts because it is that money which is used for mortgage payments to Barclays.
One day we may wish to borrow a lot more to help to pay for a new Stadium and our relationship with a Bank at that time will become even more important than at present. It doesn’t make sense to repay the debt and end the relationship when we may want to borrow from them again
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| Simon Bath |
To continue with the great fundraising efforts, but continue to look at income that is targeted away from the fanbase. |
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| David Growns |
Whilst Walks for Wimbledons and Dinners with Terry should continue, I think there is a feeling of fund-raising fatigue amongst the fanbase. We have to look outside of the fanbase for new sources of funds. That means looking at things not associated with AFC Wimbledon, football or even sport !
Having said that I would be interested in Mark and the Fundraising Group's ideas on how we might capitalise on the World Cup this year and I think we should re-examine the feasibility of a shop in Wimbledon.
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| Damian Woodward |
Interesting question, but not necessarily a priority as I see it. Most successful businesses run with an acceptable level of debt which offers all sorts of benefits, the idea being that you can make more money by what you invest in than the interest you pay on the debt. The extension of the Main Stand is a good example of this. I therefore see the challenge more as to how we maintain a manageable level of debt whilst also making significant investments in facilities (e.g. a new stadium as the most extreme example). My advice will therefore be around how we can get maximum use out of anything we do – either in the short or longer term, with a view that it will pay back more than the investment.
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Christopher Gibbs |
Earlier in this questionnaire I proposed a volunteer task template. I think we should have a list of financial items, one of which is the debt. If anyone wants to give money to the club it is psychologically more rewarding to know it is being spent on something specific, rather than just being 'absorbed' |
