WISA Press Release

Press Release
Tuesday 29th January 2002

Subject: WISA reaction to today's FA Arbitration Panel statement

The decision today from the arbitration panel appointed under FA rules has wholly upheld the rules of the Football League and reinforced the belief that issues affecting member clubs should be decided by the Football League themselves.

WISA welcomes the opportunity for the Football League's Board of Directors to re-examine this proposal and to vote out this hare-brained scheme once and for all.

During the last five months Charles Koppel has wasted the financial resources of Wimbledon Football Club Ltd in pursuing an idea that has no merit in British football where the roots of tradition hold fast. It is estimated that almost £1 million has been spent on chasing a dream that is no nearer than five months ago.

During this time the supporters of Wimbledon FC through WISA have demonstrated that there is solution nearer to home, in fact, on the original Plough Lane site we vacated in 1991.

WISA have produced plans that show an all-seater stadium with a capacity of 20,800 will fit onto the site and with the news that a possible partner has come forward very recently to support these plans makes the scheme very workable. In addition independent research conducted by ICM has shown a potential support of 18,000 in Merton in a new stadium.

In light of today's ruling we call upon Mr Koppel to resign forthwith and for the Norwegian owners to either work with the supporters of Wimbledon Football Club or to make the club available for a reasonable sum to a WISA approved purchaser.

Kris Stewart (WISA Chair) commented:
"It beggars belief - Charles Koppel continually pleads poverty, so much so that he actually allowed a striker on our books - David Neilsen - to play against us in a recent match, with the result that we lost to a goal scored by Neilsen and a penalty won by him. And then we hear that Koppel has spent up to £1M of Wimbledon FC Ltd's money on this ridiculous and unachievable plan to move the club to Milton Keynes. The man knows nothing about football and nothing about Wimbledon Football Club, and if he can't see that himself, then surely his boss will one day soon."

Statement ends

Contact:
Kris Stewart (WISA Chair) 07970 702978
Laurence Lowne (WISA Press and Publicity Officer) 0870 740 76 92