Dons Trust statement

The Dons Trust, owners of AFC Wimbledon, can confirm that the club have been in discussions with a number of organisations, including Chelsea Football Club, over the future of Kingsmeadow should our club’s proposal to move to a new stadium in Wimbledon be approved by Merton Council.

These discussions are confidential and each proposal is being thoroughly evaluated to ensure it provides the best outcome for the area and the club. Kingston Borough Council and Kingstonian FC, of course, have..

From the Exeter matchday programme

The following article appeared in the club’s official matchday programme for the game against Exeter City (played on December 28).

It’s a team game

Supporters Direct have recently produced a guide for board members at fans-owned clubs. James Mathie, manager of the SD Club Development Team, explains why it’s essential for such boards to be properly organised and run.

Club board members are critical components of any thriving community-owned club. Just as the public perception of a professional footballer is wildly different from..

Video highlights goalkeeping skills for young Dons

The Dons Trust today launches the first in a series of ‘monthly master class’ videos with goalkeeper James Shea providing a demonstration of his skills.

Jane Lonsdale, on behalf of the Dons Trust, has been working with the AFC Wimbledon Foundation, coaching staff and the club to produce footballing master class videos, specifically aimed at teenage Dons fans.

The first video on our official AFC Wimbledon YouTube channel starts with in-form Dons keeper Shea being put through his paces by..

What happened at the Dons Trust AGM

The annual general meeting of the Dons Trust, AFC Wimbledon owner, took place on Wednesday 10 December.

What proved to be a lively – and at times passionate – meeting began with the results of the 2014 Dons Trust Board elections. Candidates elected to the Board were Nigel Higgs, Matthew Breach, Kris Stewart, and Sean McLaughlin. The turnout of 32% was considered disappointing, and DT Chairman Matthew Breach said that the Board would be taking a look at possible reasons for..

Dons Trust Board 2014 election results

The results of this year’s Dons Trust Board election were announced at the Trust’s AGM, which was held at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Wednesday, December 10.

There were seven validly nominated candidates. The votes cast for each were:

Name Post Electronic Total Nigel Higgs (elected) 54 372 426 Matt Breach (elected) 48 347 395 Kris Stewart (elected) 42 304 346 Sean McLaughlin (elected) 44 300 344 Tom Adam 37 227 264 Roger Evans 34 184 218 Colin Dipple..

Trust helps local community with Foodbank collection

The Dons Trust is providing an opportunity for supporters to help those less fortunate during the festive season by collecting items for Wimbledon Foodbank.

A similar initiative was undertaken last year when Dons fans collected a quarter of a tonne (250 kilograms) of food for the Foodbank.

This year we are targeting our donations to items that the Foodbank has specifically asked for as they are short of these items. They are:

soap powder fabric conditioner nappies (sizes 4 and..

Government seeks views on supporter ownership

A government taskforce has issued a ‘call for evidence’ on barriers to increasing supporter ownership and engagement in football clubs.

The Expert Working Group on Football Supporter Ownership and Engagement was launched by the government in October and met for the first time on November 25.

And it now wants to hear expert views about legal and regulatory barriers and incentives to increasing supporter ownership and engagement in clubs.

The call for evidence aims to:

identify current legal, financial, tax..

December Dons Trust Board meeting summary

The Dons Trust Board (DTB) held its monthly meeting at Kingsmeadow on Thursday 4 December. Ahead of publication of the redacted minutes, this article summarises what was discussed.

Before considering the monthly Football Club Board (FCB) report, a new process for agreeing minutes of DTB meetings was finalised. The process will see draft minutes circulated within a week of the DTB meeting for approval by email. The aim is to get the minutes approved and online within a further two weeks,..

Women football supporters’ panel

Kick It Out and the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) are on Monday 8 December holding a ‘Fans for Diversity’ panel discussion focusing on women football supporters sharing their experiences of following their clubs up and down the country.  

Part of the ‘Fans for Diversity’ campaign, jointly run by Kick It Out and the FSF, the evening will provide the opportunity to discuss any issues encountered by women supporting their teams, ways to encourage more women to attend matches, tackling sexist attitudes..

From the matchday programme

The following article appeared in the club’s official matchday programme for the game against Cambridge United (played on November 29).

Season ticket pricing: have your say

Dons Trust Board Member Mark Davis reports on the launch of a ticket price survey. There is also news of next month’s Dons Trust AGM, and a fundraising event that’s sure to prove popular.

Dons Trust members will remember a commitment made by the Dons Trust Board (DTB) to consult on the pricing of season..