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Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association
Ordinary General Meeting
Wimbledon Community Centre, St. George's Road, Wimbledon
Thursday 29 August 2002 at 7.30 p.m.
1) Apologies received
Charlie Bell, Liz Billingham, Chris Burgess, Jo Fotheringham, Erik
Fuller, Ian Gillam, Michael Howard, Ken Richens and Dan Stern.
2) Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the last meeting (AGM on 30 May) were agreed and
there were no matters arising.
3) Treasurer's report
Peter Bowles reported that most of our income continued to come
from membership fees and donations. (NB: membership expires at the
end of August.) We are also grateful to those who continue to make
donations by standing order. Current funds stand at approximately
£10,000.
There was one item costing in excess of £500 during this
period - the open-top bus hired for the Football League (FL) chairmen's
protest outside Carlton & Granada TV studios which continued
on to the inaugural Sutton game.
4) Appoint account examiners
Erik Samuelson and Heather Jackson have carried out this function
but, in view of their roles with AFC Wimbledon (AFCW), they are
standing down. Mike O'Shaughnessy and Trevor Pearce have volunteered
to take on the task and the meeting agreed to these appointments.
5) Election of Chair
The resignation of Kris Stewart as Chair of WISA, in order to take
over the chairmanship of the new club, prompted an election for
the WISA committee. The following were duly elected at the meeting:
Chair Nicole Hammond
Vice Chair Lee Willett
General Committee Dan Stern
6) MOTIONS
MOTION 1 - FOOTBALL FRANCHISING AND MILTON KEYNES
Introduced by Sean Fox:
This organisation condemns the continued attempts of the current
owners of Wimbledon FC Ltd and their partners in the Milton Keynes
Stadium Consortium to relocate, so introducing franchising to the
English League.
We condemn The Football Association's denial that the precedent
of franchising has been set and the FA's further attempt at concealment
by insisting the new club steal the cherished identity of Wimbledon
FC in terms of name, history, colours, badge, etc.
We welcome the support that has been seen from a wide variety of
supporters groups and the newly formed Football Supporters Federation
(FSF).
We resolve to:
1. Work with the FSF to oppose this precedent and to ensure that
football franchising is rejected nationally;
2. Work with fellow supporters organisations to implement the national
boycott policy against Wimbledon FC Ltd;
3. Reconfirm the policies adopted at our AGM in May 2002 to fight
the Milton Keynes move while assisting in the setting up of AFC
Wimbledon;
4. Campaign for the return of the name, badge, history and colours
of Wimbledon Football Club to their rightful owners - the supporters.
Further, should the franchised Club move to Milton Keynes, to oppose
any attempt on its part to steal a history to which it is not entitled.
General discussion focused on the following topics:
Will the Milton Keynes (MK) move actually happen?
Franchise FC have still not bought the land or applied for planning
permission for their proposed stadium. The inclusion of Asda within
the stadium complex could result in any planning application being
referred to the Secretary of State since out-of-town superstores
are no longer favoured.
The Franchise are now stating they will be in a temporary home
- the MK Bowl - by Christmas. This presents another set of hurdles,
both in the logistics and planning considerations for the venue
itself and gaining the FL's permission for a temporary move. The
FL's lawyers have advised us that it is up the FL board to decide
whether a move to another stadium during the season is allowed.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no rule saying such a move
is not possible.
National boycott of Franchise FC
§ Getting the message across to other fans
Supporters groups of clubs due to play Franchise are being contacted
in advance of their fixtures at Selhurst. The aim is to encourage
these groups to persuade as many of their own members as possible
to boycott that particular match and, where supporters cannot bring
themselves to not watch their own team, to offer advice on making
their views known within the ground. Other supporters groups are
encouraged to organise protests themselves, particularly when the
Franchise visit their grounds, rather than WISA doing it for them.
Swindon fans showed the way when the Franchise visited them for
a pre-season friendly, producing huge banners, information leaflets,
etc., and Portsmouth are planning a suitable reception for the Fratton
Park game.
§ WISA initiatives
The possibility of organising activities for televised Franchise
games is under consideration and other opportunities are looked
at on a match by match basis. For instance, Rotherham at Selhurst
on a Tuesday evening in late October is being targeted as a potential
lowest attendance record.
The 'Wimbledon' name
The last WISA AGM agreed that we would continue to fight for the
name, amongst other things. A recommendation to the FL by the FA
Commission in agreeing the move to MK was that Franchise should
keep the name Wimbledon. Various sources have suggested that the
main movers in MK want to get rid of the Wimbledon name as fast
as possible. There was therefore discussion on whether it is in
our interests to claim the name.
§ One school of thought maintained that WE are Wimbledon and
should therefore use our best efforts to regain what is rightfully
ours, including the Wimbledon FC name. If we then chose to get rid
of the FC suffix, that should be our decision.
§ The machiavellian tendency advocated Franchise being forced
to keep the WFC name, thereby further inhibiting their acceptance,
recognition and marketing opportunities in MK.
The "what if?" conundrum
If, for whatever reason, the opportunity arose to take back the
franchised club, would we want it? A variety of views were expressed
- some wanted nothing further to do with them (or the professional
game) whilst others believed we, as rightful owners of the Dons'
inheritance, are entitled to claim the league Division 1 league
place, in addition to the name, badge, history and honours. Ultimately,
it was agreed that, should such a situation occur, it would be a
decision for Dons Trust members.
Amendment to motion 1
The "what if?" question provoked much debate concerning
claiming the league position, resulting in an amendment to clause
4 of motion 1 being proposed and seconded to include campaigning
for this position, in addition to the name, badge, etc. A vote to
amend clause 4 of motion 1 to read "Campaign for the return
of the name, badge, history, colours and league position of Wimbledon
Football Club to their rightful owners - the supporters. Further,
should the franchised Club move to Milton Keynes, to oppose any
attempt on its part to steal a history to which it is not entitled
" was overwhelmingly carried.
Vote on motion 1, as amended
The amended motion was carried, with no votes against.
MOTION 2 - MOTION OF THANKS AND HONORARY MEMBERSHIPS
Introduced by Simon Wheeler:
This meeting notes the hard work and commitment shown by Kris Stewart
during his period as Chair of WISA and formally wishes to express
its thanks for his work during this period. In a period of crisis,
Kris remained determined and resolute and helped to ensure that
the cause of Wimbledon supporters was advocated on a local and national
stage with passion and eloquence.
We also wish to thank the following organisations and individuals
and to grant them honorary membership of WISA in recognition of
their commitment to our fight against the franchising of English
football and the fight to keep Wimbledon in south-west London:
Individual Representing
Dave Boyle Football Supporters Federation
Brian Lomax Supporters Direct
David Tilley & John Payne Wimbledon News
Steve Powell Arsenal Independent Supporters Association
John Atkins Keep Barnet Alive
Pete Johnston & Luke Kirton Brentford Independent Association
of Supporters
Alan Liptrott & Keith Pestell Gillingham Independent Supporters
Club
Paul Davis & Peter Wood Trust STFC (Swindon Town FC)
Thanks also to Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club, and
the enormous number of individual Brighton fans, who have offered
their support and to the many other supporters groups and individuals
of clubs too numerous to mention who have helped WISA in the fight
against Charles Koppel's murderous plans.
It was proposed that Louise Carton-Kelly's contribution be formally
recognised, both as a former Vice Chair of WISA and for setting
up the Dons Trust. This amendment was agreed unanimously.
Vote on motion 2, as amended
The amended motion was also carried unanimously and a message of
thanks to the outgoing Chair and former Vice Chair received thundering
applause.
MOTION 3 - AFC WIMBLEDON & WISA'S AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Introduced by Ronan Warde:
This meeting congratulates all those involved in setting up AFC
Wimbledon for their efforts in ensuring Wimbledon fans have a club
in south-west London for the future. We further welcome the assurance
that AFC Wimbledon will be run on a democratic basis via the Dons
Trust.
The aims and objectives of Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association
currently contains the following clause:
"To campaign for a supporter to be elected to the board of
Wimbledon FC"
This meeting therefore agrees to endorse the WISA Committee pursuing
this aim through discussions with both the Dons Trust and the Board
of AFC Wimbledon.
The need to eventually revise WISA's constitution to reflect our
support for AFC Wimbledon rather than Wimbledon FC Ltd was raised
and agreed and this motion should be seen in that spirit. It was
recognised that supporter representation on the board of our football
club has always been a major aim and one WISA should continue to
aspire to.
An amendment to this motion was proposed, so that the fourth paragraph
above should read:
This meeting therefore agrees to endorse the WISA Committee pursuing
the aim of campaigning for a supporters' representative to be elected
to the board of our football club, through discussions with both
the Dons Trust and the Board of AFC Wimbledon.
Agreement to allow the amendment was carried and a vote on the
motion, as amended, was passed.
7) Current and future plans
a) Independent Football Commission (IFC)
Nicole explained that we were invited to lodge a complaint with
the IFC, not just to question the FA Commission's decision but the
entire process by which the commission was appointed, their terms
of reference, their perceived bias in accepting/rejecting the submissions
of interested parties and the general lack of transparency in the
entire process. The IFC have taken our points to the FL for examination
and if their response is not to our satisfaction, the IFC will ask
the FA to review the case.
b) Party in the Park
This was the most recent event staged - more than 2,000 people turned
up at Selhurst to not go to a football match but stay outside. Nicole
thanked Simon Wheeler for organising the day. The continuing objective
is trying to ensure that franchising as a concept does not take
off and there is evidence that football supporters generally are
getting the message. Gillingham brought approximately half and Brighton
roughly one-third of the travelling support which would normally
be expected for a game at Selhurst, which is encouraging.
c) Campaigning tactics
Last season's campaign was very vocal and visual - hiring a plane
at Watford, demonstrations, all those balloons and T-shirts, turning
backs to the pitch, the sit-down protest in front of the Sheffield
United coach, etc. Those avenues of protest are less viable now
although, as previously explained, Franchise's fixtures are looked
at on a match-by-match basis. The Football Supporters Federation
(FSF) is now heading up the anti-franchising campaign, working in
conjunction with WISA.
The focus this season is on stepping up the less obvious work,
such as lobbying the media, football's governing bodies and our
political contacts.
i. The political front
Nicole reported that she and Kevin Rye had recently attended a meeting
with Roger Casale (MP for Wimbledon). Also present were Lord Faulkner
and representatives of the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Merton
Council. Politicians are in a better position than us to investigate
certain matters.
ii. The media
A section of the media continuing to refer to Franchise FC as 'Wimbledon'
was contrasted with the line adopted by the Wimbledon News. Kevin
Rye pointed out that the Evening Standard, to take one example,
had never been particularly supportive of our cause and suggested
members write to their sports editor.
The positive contributions made by freelance journalists, such
as David Conn and Graham Kelly, was also raised. Marc Jones urged
members to write and thank their editors since they decide what
is or is not included and the more positive feedback they receive,
the more likely they are to commission further pieces.
iii. The FA
Adam Crozier, the FA's Chief Executive, has written to WISA expressing
his dismay at the decision to allow the MK move and has made similar
statements to the media. Nicole and Lee have a meeting arranged
with him next month (September) and will report back.
d) New ground in Merton
A question was raised about the current status of the search for
a ground. Nicole explained that the Dons Trust have a stadium working
group, of which she is a member, who are due to meet Merton Council's
head of planning within the next fortnight.
8) Any other business
a) Franchise attendance figures
The degree of creative accounting taking place was raised. Nicole
confirmed that FL rules allow clubs to include season ticket holders
for league games, regardless of whether they turn up. The fact that
Franchise include people who have received refunds and been sent
a season ticket was the subject of much derision.
WISA will be awarding two cups this season - one to the club whose
supporters have the lowest attendance at Selhurst Park and the other
to the club with the highest percentage decrease in attendance on
last season.
b) AFCW questions
Members of AFCW's board were present and answered questions, including:
a) Possible fixture with Milton Keynes City - the Chairman of this
club had written to The Non-League Paper suggesting a match with
AFC might be arranged. Ivor confirmed this suggestion had been made
to the club some time ago. For a number of reasons, the offer was
declined but the possibility of a match in future could be reconsidered.
b) Media coverage - in answer to a question on the possibility
of a live AFC game being shown on TV, Ivor agreed that the publicity
would be fantastic but the club have received no approaches - though
supporters might like to start writing to Sky! In the meantime,
AFC are considering the possibility of launching a TV channel.
c) Crowd capacity at Kingsmeadow - Kris confirmed the maximum capacity
is presently 4262. Attendance would be monitored at forthcoming
games before deciding whether talks with Ks owners to carry out
the work necessary to increase capacity is warranted.
c) Sponsored bike ride
Laurence Lowne announced that John Bothamley and his son, James,
will be getting a team together to cycle 122 miles from Bournemouth
to Kingston. This is planned for our home match against Cobham on
Saturday 26 October and it is hoped that other cyclists will join
the last section of the journey, from Merton to Kingsmeadow. Sponsorship
is sought - with proceeds going to AFC - and help with stewarding,
first aid, etc is also needed. Please contact Laurence for further
information.
d) Match-day activities and merchandising
§ WISA will have a stand in the back bar at Kingsmeadow. Membership
forms and information will be available.
§ Tudor Jennings reminded those present that a range of merchandise
is available from the wombulance or Kingsmeadow's back bar on matchdays.
9) Pub
A number of members made their way to the Wibbas Down (Wetherspoons)
in Wimbledon.
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