The Dons Trust Board is delighted to announce that Matthew Spriegel has been co-opted onto the board with a brief to engage with people in the 16–35 age bracket.
Matthew responded to a Dons Trust advert for the role in May this year and, following a rigorous selection process, was selected from 20 applicants.
A supporter since his boyhood, Matthew’s first experience of watching Wimbledon was exactly 20 years ago today (August 17) at Selhurst Park when David Beckham famously lobbed Neil Sullivan from the halfway line. Since then, his own sporting achievements have been considerable, having played cricket professionally both for Surrey and Northamptonshire.
Now aged 29 and retired from playing cricket professionally, Matthew is looking forward to getting started on the vital task of getting younger people more actively involved with the Trust.
Matthew said: ‘I am extremely proud and honoured to have been given this opportunity to join the Dons Trust Board. Having been a childhood fan, I can’t wait to be a part of AFC Wimbledon and help in any way I can to continue the club’s success.’
Commenting on Matthew’s appointment, Dons Trust Chair Matthew Breach said: ‘Getting younger people involved in the Trust – as members, volunteers and activists – is crucial to our long-term model of supporter ownership. I am delighted to have Matthew on board and look forward to him helping us to connect with younger members and supporters.
‘I am grateful to all of the people that applied for this role and am confident that there will be plenty of ways for the unsuccessful candidates to become involved in the work of the Trust going forward.’
Matthew’s co-option was approved unanimously at a Dons Trust board meeting on August 15 and will initially last until the Annual General Meeting (currently scheduled for December 8).
Dons Trust members can meet ‘Spriegs’ by coming along to the SGM at Wimbledon Brewery on August 25. Members – and particularly younger members – can expect to hear more from our latest recruit as he settles into the role over the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, he can be contacted at matthew.spriegel@thedonstrust.org.