Ground Latest

Monday 29 December 2003
Update on shares sales

With £13,950 of shares sold at the Raynes Park Vale game last Saturday, the total so for which, when added to the amounts already received, should make the total so far in excess of £1,225,000.

The club will not know the final total for a couple of weeks because, even after the closing date, there are likely to be a few "rejects" to follow up. Rejects occur for various reasons, such as applicants who forget to enclose a cheque, or forget to sign it, etc. As soon as we know the final total, we will announce it.

And don't forget that there is still time if you want to buy some shares. The final closing date is 3.00 pm on Friday 2 January.

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Wednesday 24 December 2003
Final date to buy shares

As the closing date for the share offer approaches, there has been a major increase in applications and, as a result, on Christmas Eve we were able to repay a further £50,000 to the Khoslas, using money received up to Monday 15 December. At that date, the total money raised by the issue was £1,197,936.

Since then, applications have continued to arrive in a steady stream and we have passed the landmark £1.2m level. With these further applications, we now have a further £15,000 available to repay part of the loan. We hope that this will increase to at least £25,000 and, even better, £50,000, but that depends on there being a final surge of applications.

To make it easy for anyone who has yet to buy shares, or who wants to buy them as a present, the club will be running a share desk before the game against Raynes Park Vale this Saturday. The desk will be next to the merchandise shop in the back bar and members of the Finance Working group will be available to help anyone who wants advice on completing the forms, what you can do re buying shares for children, buying shares as a present, and offering copies of the prospectus.

The share offer closes on Friday 2 January and all applications need to be with the registrars before 3.00 pm that day.

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Wednesday 25 June 2003
Signed at last!

AFCW Stadium Ltd today finally exchanged contracts on Kingsmeadow.

Although it has taken just over three weeks longer than we hoped, we finally have an agreement which provides a great deal for AFC Wimbledon without jeopardising our financial future.

Further details will be released on Thursday this week, when we launch the major fundraising campaign which has been planned by TBWA and Cohn & Wolfe over recent months.

On Thursday evening, we are holding a "make a stand" party, where all AFC Wimbledon supporters, Dons Trust members and all of our friends can celebrate having control of our own stadium at long last.

Come on down to Kingsmeadow anytime from 7 PM and make sure you bring plenty of cash.

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19/04/03
Financial working group
A statement regarding how we are going to get the funds in order to purchase Kingsmedow. Find out more

19/04/03

Dons Trust SGM minutes

Its the minutes Read more

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Fund Raising Events
If you have a Stadium Fund Raising Event arranged and wish to have infomation on it posted here send me details on an email

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Channel Swim

Hi all,
As most of you now know, on 16th September I will be attempting a swim across the Channel (22 miles) to raise money for the AFC ground Fund.
I'm not doing badly with the sponsorship at all, but this little venture will cost me £1,600. I know that everyone is throwing their money at the Stadium Fund left, right and centre at the moment, but I would be grateful for any amount of sponsorship ~ no matter how big or small ~ that you could afford.
Also, if anyone works for/owns any companies that could sponsor me, that would be excellent.

If you will sponsor me, could you please do it via the link to my website, very kindly set up by Charlie Bell at the bottom of this post? Alternatively, you can e~mail me at backtoploughlane@wisa.org.uk

Please, please support me in this, even if you can't financially ~ any advice or contacts would be great.

Cheers,
Anna Reeves

www.backtomerton.com/channelswim/index.cfm

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AFC WIMBLEDON - A DAY AT THE RACES
NEW DATE SUNDAY JULY 27 HONG KONG DAY

Do It 4 the Dons, as part of the co-ordinated efforts to buy the lease at Kingsmeadow, this is your chance to make your contribution, and have a great day out at Ascot Races.

This is a wonderful day for the whole family to enjoy a days racing, where colourful oriental displays and activities complement the spectacular racing action, featuring the richest 5 furlong handicap in Europe.

In addition to the thrills on the track, in between races you can enjoy dragon and lion dancing, acrobatics, Kung Fu, traditional Chinese Music and much much more, including on Chinese Arts and Crafts, from fortune telling to noodle making!!!!

Click here to reserve your place. Q&A

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Sunday 27 April 2003
Leap of Faith

On Sunday 20 members of the Terry Eames Airbourne Division will jump out of a plane from 13,500 feet Oxford to raise funds for the ground fund in a 'leap of faith'.

The 20 people doing the jump will be combining their sponsorship money so if you want to sponsor these people you can send your cheques to The Dons Trust and mark "Leap of Faith - Stadium Fund" On the back of any Cheque.

Good Luck.

Re-booked for 31st May due to high winds

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On the Head Coops

Kevin Cooper has scored 38 Goals this season, but as yet none with his head some people will say it doesn't matter how you score them as long as they go in, which is true and of course and every goal he's score for us this season has brought a smile to all our faces.

But if Coops can score just the once with his head in the remaining fixtures he would have help to raise more than £500 towards the Stadium Fund thanks to Niall Couper who has issued that challenge to him, but it would be nice if some more pledges could be made before the weekends games.

If you want to make a pledge click the following link Sponsor Coops and Niall will add your name to the list for sponsors.

Good Luck Coops We Know You Can Do It, also don't forget to vote for Coops in the BBC London award see below to vote.

Raised £1,200 Wel Done

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Friday 2 May 2003
Control of Kingsmeadow nearer than expected?
All the latest news from the finance working group. Find out more.

Tuesday 25 March 2003
Time to dig deep and buy a Foundation

Last night at the Special General Meeting of The Dons Trust the members where ask for vote on three options the 1st option was to ground share with Tooting & Mitcham, the 2nd option to continue to ground share at Kingsmeadow, and the 3rd option was to purchase the 110 year lease for Kingsmeadow for £2.7million to be paid in full by Dec 31 03.

The show of hands was about 95% in favour to purchasing Kingsmeadow and with about 900 people present and additional proxy votes this was more than the 2/3 required.

For a review of last night check out Paul Raymonds itmustbedon.com site.

Tuesday 18 March 2003
Joint press release.

THE following press release was issued jointly by the Dons Trust and AFC Wimbledon at 5pm Tuesday 18 March 2003 by agreement with Anup and Rajesh Khosla.

Dons Trust To Decide Future Home of AFC Wimbledon

On Monday 24 March, the Dons Trust, owners of AFC Wimbledon, will hold a special general meeting (SGM) at Wimbledon Theatre. The SGM will decide whether to continue in a groundsharing arrangement for three years or to buy a stadium, which would enable AFC Wimbledon to progress at least as far as the Nationwide Conference. All Dons Trust members in attendance will have the opportunity to vote on the immediate future of the club.

Members will be asked to consider three options – a new groundshare agreement at Imperial Fields, home of Tooting & Mitcham United, a renegotiated groundshare at Kingsmeadow or the purchase of the long leasehold interest in Kingsmeadow. This last option could mean that the fans of AFC Wimbledon, who consider themselves the rightful inheritors of the history of football in Wimbledon, will have a ground of their own.

To qualify for promotion to the Ryman League from the Seagrave Haulage Football League, AFC Wimbledon requires at least a three-year ground agreement. As the deadline for having such an agreement in place was 31 January, the club renegotiated the groundshare agreement at Kingsmeadow and, with Brentford having an option to play at the ground next season, explored other options, which resulted in a groundshare agreement with Tooting & Mitcham United.

At a planning committee meeting of Merton Council on Thursday 13 March, permission was denied for AFC Wimbledon to play at Imperial Fields.

Since the signing of these agreements, The Dons Trust and AFC Wimbledon were also offered the opportunity to purchase the long leasehold interest in Kingsmeadow.

Members of the Dons Trust are being posted details of all three proposals.

Louise Carton-Kelly, Chair of the Dons Trust, said:

"This is democracy in action. Our members can now debate the options in detail and then vote for whichever they prefer, knowing that the outcome of the vote will be binding on the club. For the first time, our fans have the power to decide and that has to be good for AFC Wimbledon in particular and football in general."

Kris Stewart, AFC Wimbledon Chairman said:

"We will be asking members to consider all three propositions with care and will present the benefits and drawbacks of each. We have reached an important milestone in the history of the club and it is fantastic that, as owners of the club, the Dons Trust has the power to make this decision."

Briefing document for Dons Trust members

Purpose of this document

This is a briefing about the decisions that we need to make at the Special General Meeting ("SGM") on 24 March 2003. The contents were up to date on Friday 14 March, when the briefing was approved for release to members. At that time there were still some issues that had not been finalised. If there are any significant changes after we send this to you, we will update you at the SGM.

The original purpose of the SGM was to decide where to play next season and this remains the case. One option was to share a ground with Tooting & Mitcham United at Imperial Fields. On 13 March, Merton Council refused planning permission for us to play at Imperial Fields. Nonetheless, we intend to go ahead with the meeting for the following reasons:


1. We are pleased to announce that we have negotiated a price for the purchase of Kingsmeadow and we invite members to vote on that as an additional option

2. The terms of our agreement with Tooting & Mitcham require members to vote on whether or not we wish to play there, irrespective of the planning decision, as the planning decision can be appealed.


At a meeting on Monday 17 March, the Dons Trust Board will be reviewing the implications of buying Kingsmeadow. Until we have held that meeting, we will not be issuing a recommendation to members. This is because the purchase of Kingsmeadow has major consequences, for example in terms of how we raise the funds etc. We will, however, make a formal recommendation at the SGM.

The decision about where to play next season is the most important matter we have had to consider since the club was formed. We are keen to encourage a full and open debate so that decisions that you, the members, take at the meeting are based on a proper understanding of the facts. Therefore, please do everything you can to attend. If you cannot attend, you can make use of the proxy form that you were sent on 6 March.

Please note that the Board will make no further statements before the SGM. If you have any questions, please send them to info@thedonstrust.org.uk or by post to The Dons Trust, PO Box No38064, Wimbledon, London, SW19 2WS, by Friday 21 March 2003. We will answer your questions as part of the presentations at the SGM.

Heather Jackson,
Secretary
The Dons Trust

Introduction - The current position:

AFCW is currently in the first year of a 3-year groundshare agreement at Kingsmeadow. However, we need an agreement for a full 3 years to qualify for promotion to the Ryman League at the end of this season, so the Kingsmeadow groundshare agreement needed renegotiating

Mr Ron Noades had an option for Brentford to play at Kingsmeadow for 6 years, starting next season, OR to pay more money to refresh the option for a further year and then play for 5 years. We are told that both these options have now lapsed and that he now has no financial involvement in Kingsmeadow

Because of the uncertainties relating to where we play next season, AFCW entered into two groundshare agreements, one with the trustees of Tooting & Mitcham United ("T&M") and a new one with the owner of Kingsmeadow. Both of these agreements were submitted to the Ryman League as part of our application. We can opt out of both agreements at little or no cost until 31 March 2003

Planning permission is needed to allow us to play at T&M's ground at Imperial Fields next season. On 13 March, T&M's planning application was rejected. Any appeal is likely to take several months and has a high risk of failure. The agreement with T&M requires a vote by Dons Trust members on whether we wish to play there, irrespective of the result of the planning application permission

Following the signing of the two groundshare agreements, we were offered the chance to buy Kingsmeadow and we have negotiated a price for it

There are therefore 3 options for members to consider:

A groundshare at Kingsmeadow
A groundshare at Imperial Fields
The purchase of Kingsmeadow

The remainder of this document:

Compares the key features of each option in a table format
Describes the benefits and the risks of each option
Describes our understanding of the views of Merton and Kingston Council
Describes in more detail the nature of the proposal to buy Kingsmeadow
Explains how we propose to raise the money to buy Kingsmeadow
Explains "what next"
Comparison of the options

Tooting & Mitcham groundshare
Kingsmeadow groundshare
Kingsmeadow purchase

Length of agreement
6 years maximum, 3 years minimum
3 years maximum
110 years

When can we choose to end it?
12 months notice, ending the agreement after year 3, 4 or 5
With 3 months' notice at the end of each season
N/A

When can they choose to end it?
12 months notice, ending the agreement after year 3, 4 or 5
After 3 years
N/A

What facilities are available to us?
A manager's office, a physio's office, an area suitable for conversion into a shop, and storage space
Merchandise storage space and office space (currently only used on match days)
Everything within the Kingsmeadow stadium

Who will play there?
Only the T&M and AFCW first teams (plus other mandatory games, e.g. for youth cup matches)
Not our decision but obviously Kingstonian are entitled to play there
We decide, but part of the agreement is that Kingstonians can continue to play there for the foreseeable future

What are the running costs?
They are basically the same as the Kingsmeadow groundshare costs
They are basically the same as the T&M groundshare costs
We pay all of them - a five year financial forecast is currently under development for presentation to the SGM

What are the likely investment costs?
A broad estimate of the cost of upgrading T&M for 1,000 additional seats is £300k. No agreement yet as to how this will be funded
A broad estimate of the cost to upgrade Kingsmeadow to 6,000 capacity is £1m. We have had no discussions about whether this is needed or how to fund it
We need to raise about £3m to buy and renovate the stadium and a further £1m to upgrade it to a capacity of 6,000

Will we get a share of catering/bar income?
This is open to negotiation
No
All income will be ours, other than possibly revenue generated by Kingstonians on their matchdays


Imperial Fields Ground Share – benefits and risks

Benefits:

A brand new stadium
In Merton
Only first teams will be able to play on the pitch (with the exception of a small number of games)
The lease could be for as long as 6 years, so we won't need to extend it if we don't get promotion this season
There is space to expand the capacity substantially
We may be able to take a share of bar and catering profits
We will have a space in which to site our own offices, shop and storage space
Risks and uncertainties:

The T&M planning application has been rejected. The Dons Trust Stadium Working Group considers that an appeal is likely to take several months and has a high risk of failure
If we were to play at Imperial Fields, Merton might consider that "their job is done" and withdraw support for our search for a permanent home in the borough
The Dons Trust Stadium Working Group considers that an application for significant expansion of capacity should be regarded as high risk
The broad estimate of costs for adding a further 1,000 seats with cover and further cover for stands behind the goals is £300k. It is not clear how this would be funded or how AFCW would get value for its investment, as we might invest in improvements and then be required to leave before we can get an acceptable return from our investment
We have yet to negotiate what share, if any, of the bar and catering profits we could take.
We understand that Mr Ron Noades owns a superior interest in Imperial Fields Stadium. AFCW would not be taking a lease from him, but any extension of the ground share would require his consent, which he can withhold.

Kingsmeadow Ground Share – benefits and risks

Benefits:

We are already established there
We understand that the ground can be expanded to 6,000 capacity with no need for further planning permission
Sharing at Kingsmeadow leaves our options open for finding a new site in the medium term
The transport links are good
Risks and uncertainties:

If we don't get promoted this year, we will need to extend the agreement at the end of next season if the Ryman League requirements stay unchanged (because by then the agreement will only have two years left).
The cost of increasing capacity to 6,000 is likely to be about £1m. It is not clear how this would be funded or how AFCW would get value for its investment
We might invest in improvements and then be required to leave before we can get an acceptable return from our investment

Kingsmeadow Purchase – benefits and risks

Benefits:

We will have security
No concerns about qualification for Ryman League
All bar and catering income will be ours
The ground can be expanded to 6,000 capacity with no need for further planning permission
Our landlord will be Kingston Council
We believe we can offer Kingstonians Football Club greater security
Risks and uncertainties:

We might not be able to raise the necessary money in the available time. If this happens, the initial deposit will be forfeitable
Approximately £1m over and above the purchase costs will be needed to increase the capacity to 6,000
Merton might consider that "their job is done" and withdraw support for our search for a permanent home in the borough, assuming we will make Kingsmeadow our permanent home
The relationship with Kingstonian Football Club is yet to be agreed in detail but we are required to enable the team to play at Kingsmeadow for the foreseeable future.
If Kingstonian don't thrive, we may be blamed for their problems, which we don't want, given what has been done to us in the past

What do the Councils say?

As part of our planning, we have had meetings with Merton and Kingston councils. In our discussions with Kingston, we indicated that we were in discussions about buying the lease. Both councils have been very supportive and open to our ideas, but neither of them is in a position to make firm commitments over the long term.

Merton

Actively supported the planning application for Imperial Fields. Its rejection was by the planning committee
Have been very helpful with regard to a possible facility for training and football in the community in the borough
Understood our position that we still want a permanent home in the borough and that Imperial Fields is not it
Have helped us to identify sites in the borough that might be suitable for a stadium in the long term
Kingston

Are supportive of us playing at Kingsmeadow
Are interested in exploring an expansion to 6,000 in the short term and other longer term possibilities
Have discussed other possible sites in the borough with us and recognise the merit of Kingsmeadow

An outline of the deal to purchase Kingsmeadow

The exact price is confidential
However, we estimate that we need to raise £3m to buy Kingsmeadow and make necessary renovations. A further £1m will be needed to increase the capacity to 6,000
We have ambitious plans for the medium term future of the ground and so we will be asking members and fans to help us to raise a lot more than £4m – that will be our minimum target
We must make a first payment of over £250,000, on exchange of contracts. Some or all of this may not be refundable if we fail to raise all the necessary money
Once the down payment is made, we have until 31 December 2003 to raise the balance and complete the deal
Kingsmeadow will not be ours until full payment is made. However, if we raise the money early, we can compete the deal earlier than 31 December
We have given an undertaking that Kingstonian will be able to play at Kingsmeadow for the foreseeable future on "sympathetic terms"
How will we raise the money?

Some time ago, the Dons Trust Finance Working Group carried out a survey of fans at a match to see how much money they might contribute to an appeal and what was the most attractive means of contributing
The results showed that substantially more money would be raised in return for "an investment that gives a return" than by any other means (such as donations or loans)
The meaning of "an investment with a return" was not defined in the survey but we have since carried out some focused interviews and concluded that the best way to raise the necessary money is to issue shares
We have consulted professional advisers who support the FWG's conclusions
If the members support this approach, we will send possible investors a prospectus, which would include:

The price of the shares
The proposed "return", which would probably be a choice of a cash dividend, a discount on a season ticket, etc, which we would pay only if we had enough money to do so without risking the future of the club
How we propose to maintain the security of the AFCW and the stadium so that our club can't be taken away from us
However, the vast majority of the money would be likely to come from you, our members, so we would need all of you to contribute as generously as you can.

As part of the share issue, we will launch a campaign, supported at no cost by TBWA (our marketing advisers) and Cohn and Wolfe (our PR advisers). This will refer to a vision of Kingsmeadow being:

A home for Wimbledon fans
A home for Kingstonian fans
A place that will have relevance for all football fans because we will offer a base for supporters' organisations and similar bodies with whom we will continue to work against franchising in football
Next steps

Before the SGM, please:

Read this carefully
Send any questions to info@thedonstrust.org.uk or by post to The Dons Trust, PO Box No 38064, Wimbledon, London, SW19 2WS, by Friday 21 March 2003. We will respond to your questions at the meeting
Make plans to attend the meeting at 7.30 at Wimbledon Theatre, on 24 March (doors open at 7.00)
If you can't come, appoint a proxy as explained on the letter you were sent last week

At the SGM

Members of the DT Board will explain any news that has happened since this briefing document was sent
You will be asked to vote for one of the options and possibly a number of related issues (such as approving a share issue, if you decide that we should buy Kingsmeadow).
After the SGM

We will issue a press release
We will move to implement the agreed option as fast as possible
We will keep you informed of progress on a regular basis

DONS TRUST SGM
A Dons Trust SGM to decide on the ground issue has been arranged for Monday 24 March at Wimbledon Theatre - doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Dons Trust Statement 12/02/03

"One of the most popular topics of conversation amongst AFC Wimbledon supporters recently has been the ground at which we will play our home matches next season. Two options have been established: the club can either continue to play at Kingsmeadow, or it can move to Tooting and Mitcham's Imperial Fields stadium. The Dons Trust has responsibility for approving any ground-sharing deal made for AFC Wimbledon, and plans to hold a Special General Meeting (SGM) to consult its members on this issue, in which the cases for and against both options can be made.

When timetabling the SGM, we had to take into account the Ryman League's rules of entry, as any agreement would have to meet those requirements if we are to be eligible for promotion. We had been given to understand we had to submit ground-sharing agreements by 28 February, and had been working to timetable an SGM before that. However, on re-checking the requirements we were then informed that any agreement to be submitted had to be in place by 31 January. This meant that there was not time to hold an SGM before the Ryman League deadline. As a result we have signed preliminary agreements allowing AFC Wimbledon to play either at Kingsmeadow or at Imperial Fields next season, in advance of consultation.

Although we would have preferred to consult members before having to sign any agreements, the circumstances above meant that this was not possible. The only extra costs incurred in signing these agreements were those relating to legal advice. We believe it was essential to take this action in order to pursue the promotion application while still giving members the opportunity to decide where AFC Wimbledon plays next season. We understand that the Ryman League are satisfied with the documentation we sent them.

Of course we remain fully committed to giving members the opportunity to make the final decision on this issue. We will now hold an SGM on Monday 24 March at Wimbledon Theatre for this purpose – doors open 7:00 PM for a 7:30 start.

Notices for this meeting will be sent out as soon as possible. At the meeting, the DT Board will present as much information as possible to enable members to make a fully informed choice between the available options. This will be a very important meeting for the future of the Dons Trust and AFC Wimbledon, please make every effort to attend."

Open Meeting held on Saturday 18 January 2003

A packed open meeting before the Godalming and Guildford game heard AFC Wimbledon Chairman Kris Stewart outline the timetable for the next few months.

Kris Stewart told fans that the club has a difficult timetable ahead of it.

AFC Wimbledon will be asked to apply for promotion in February at which time the club will have to say where it will be playing.

The club have managed to negotiate a special agreement so that it is able to nominate two possible grounds.

If the club is going to leave Kingsmeadow, where it is in the first year of a three year licence, then it has to give notice in late February and would have to pay a penalty clause.

Tooting and Mitcham have made a planning application which is expected to be decided on in March.

Brentford, who have an option to move to Kingsmeadow, have to make such a decision in March.

The Ryman League will then inspect the grounds of those who have applied for promotion in April.

The club knew of the Brentford option when it moved into Kingsmeadow and knew that if Brentford chose to exercise their option then we would have to move elsewhere. However, this season's games at Kingsmeadow are secure, contrary to any reports elsewhere.

The club has yet to agree any fees for next year, but has written to the Khoslas asking for a quote.

AFC Wimbledon is helping Tooting and Mitcham with their application for grants to help them improve their ground, but discussions with them are purely on a ground share basis and have no further connotations.

Any money that AFC Wimbledon puts into the Tooting and Mitcham ground will only be done if it makes sense for the club.

In response to questions from the floor, Kris made the following points:

If the work that Tooting and Mitcham are planning for their ground does not happen in time for next season, then the capacity will remain at about 3500. There would also be fewer seats and covered areas than there are at Kingsmeadow. However, the contractor is relaying the pitch, as the current one is liable to flooding.

AFC Wimbledon has not been in contact with Brentford over their decision as it may be seen to be interfering in other people's contracts.
If the club were to groundshare with Tooting and Mitcham then the two clubs would try to work together as much as possible.

However, the issue of putting AFC Wimbledon colours and crests on the ground is a contentious one. Technically and legally AFC Wimbledon could not be equal partners with Tooting and Mitcham but would try to have an even mindset

If AFC Wimbledon moved to Tooting and Mitcham then it would still be keen to move on to a ground of our own as soon as possible. Merton Council have been told this and they have understood it. The directors do not think that their attitude to us will change, but need to make sure that the issue of AFC Wimbledon remains in the public view.

Club Finance Director Erik Samuelson gave details of the cashflow at the club.

The unaudited figures he produced showed that AFC Wimbledon had made football profits of £98,769 up until the end of 2002.

In addition, there had been merchandise profits of £29,234, profits from the sale of Yellow and Blue of £22,516, donations of £41,186, sponsorship of £41,168 and sundry income of £2,569.

Overheads came to £ 48,559 and tax on profits was £29,901.

This left a net profit after tax of £156,982

Erik confirmed that the club was liable for tax, but he was looking at ways in which some of the educational and other work might be made eligible for tax relief.

Whilst the club tries to be as open and honest as possible about its finances, there are some contractual relationships which have to be kept secret and the club tries not to break such confidentiality clauses as it will harm our negotiating position in the future.

Whilst the day-to-day running of the club is still in the hands of people who are not paid, there is a proposal that this position should change in the near future.
Some players are paid an amount which in some cases is more than could be justified strictly in terms of travel and footballing expenses.

This is at the discretion of Terry Eames and we declare all such payments to the Inland Revenue.

Commercial Director Ivor Heller announced that all match sponsorships for Saturday games until the end of the season have been sold and that bookings for all forms of sponsorship were being taken for next season.

More merchandise is being planned and this will include a third strip, in white, which will be launched on February 8th.

Lou Carton-Kelly, the Clubs Operations Director, announced that numbered seats for season ticket holders should be available next season and that a larger non-smoking area would be considered.

Tuesday 14 January 2003
Dons Trust Stadium update
In response to the recent open day and continued speculation, the Dons Trust have issued
the following. Click here to read the Dons Trust Statement on T&M.

Sunday 12 January 2003
T & M Open Day pictures

While the Stadium Working Group (SWG) search for a ground location, where would you prefer to watch AFC Wimbledon play football at Kingsmeadow or Tooting and Mitcham's Imperial Fields Stadium, or do you have an alternative choice ? post your view's here.

Under the Main Stand
Front of Main Stand
Current Bar
Players Tunnel
Dug Out
Changing Rooms Entrance.
Home Teams Changing Rooms (Yes that's Terry Eames)
Away Teams Changing Room
1 of 2 Empty Industrial Units On Either Side Of The Main Stand.
 
The West Stand
View from main stand of the West Stand
View from the Main Stand of the West Stand
View of the West Stand from the Southside Walkway
View of the West Stand from the East Stand
 
The Main Stand
View of the Main Stand from the South Walkway
View of the Main Stand from the South Walkway
View of the Main Stand from the South Walkway
View of the Main Stand from the West Stand
View of the Main Stand from the East Stand
View of the Main Stand from the East Stand
View of the Main Stand from the East Stand
View of the Main Stand from the East Stand
 
The East Stand
View of the underneth of the East Stand.
View of the East Stand from the South Walkway
View of the East Stand from the South Walkway
View of the East Stand from the South Walkway
View of the East Stand from the Main Stand
View of the East Stand from the West Stand
View of the East Stand from the West Stand
View of the East Stand from the West Stand
 
The South Walkway
View of the South Walkway
View from the West Stand of the South Walkway
View of the South Walkway from the West Stand
View of the South Walkway from the East Stand
 
Other Views
Ramps to the Male, Female & Disabled Toilet's located at both ends of the Pitch.
View of the Astro Turf's Pitchs
Letter from Tooting & Mitcham FC
Plan of Tooting & Mitcham FC
 
Rough Future Pictures
View of the area behind the South Walkway which is to be Turned into a Overflow Car Park.
View of the Main Stand with extra seat and roof. (very rough and may not be done like this).
View of the Main Stand with extra seat and no roof. (very rough and may not be done like this).
View of the East Stand with full length roof. (to be done at both ends, very rough and may not be done like this).

 

Friday 19 December 2002
Dons Trust Stadium Update
http://www.thedonstrust.org/stadium3.html


Tuesday 17 December 2002
Latest Statement from the AFC Wimbledon, Merton Council and Tooting over Ground Share.

click here to read the statement.

Saturday 14 December 2002
Club statement on the Official Site

YOU may have seen a note on the Tooting and Mitcham website announcing "in principle" a three year ground share with AFCW.

As you know, Brentford FC have an option on Kingsmeadow which, if taken up, would mean that we cannot continue there. Therefore, we have no choice other than to explore all other options for somewhere to play next season.

Our discussions with T&M arose very recently, following an approach from them. We have now reached the stage where we have agreed to support an application to Merton Council for certain planning matters that require clearance before this option is possible.

We had planned to issue a joint press release on Monday night after a Dons Trust Board meeting. We regret that we have not been able to announce this
news in the way we had planned.

Although this is a very attractive option for the club we have made no written commitment, except to support this planning application - there is still a long way to go. The Dons Trust Board has been kept informed throughout the negotiations, and we have made it very clear that any arrangement we make, with T&M or any other club, is no substitute for finding a permanent home. AFCW continues to work closely with the Dons Trust and Merton Council, to achieve our goal of a permanent home in Merton.

We will make no further comment before Monday night.
Links : AFC Wimbledon Official Site & Tooting & Mitcham Official Site

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