Proposers: Craig Wellstead and Roger Hobkinson
What AFC Wimbledon means to me:
That it should be fan-owned forever.
What we have achieved on our journey from the lower reaches of non-league is nothing short of remarkable and has proved beyond doubt that fan ownership is no barrier to success. We have a magnificent new home; we have a wonderful community club; we have hundreds of boys and girls in our youth teams; we have successful men and womens’ teams; and we have an incredible charitable Foundation including the Dons Local Action Group.
The power of community is there for all to see.
A little bit about me…
- I am a lifelong supporter of Wimbledon’s football club
- I am a Dons Trust member, season ticket, debenture and shareholder
- I was AFC Wimbledon’s first Kit Manager
- I have lived in Merton all my life and have two children and two grandchildren who are all season ticket holders
- I am a director of AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Life Vice President of AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls
- I am a Ground Staff volunteer
- I am a former Chairman of Wimbledon Supporters Club
- I have been a qualified football referee since 1972.
- I am passionate about our club and our community and have always strived to make a difference in whatever I do
What I stand for:
A ‘One Club’ ethos that embraces all areas of AFC Wimbledon, and ensures that progress on the pitch compliments its role as a vital community asset. AFC Wimbledon fans are rightly proud of their club and I want as many people as possible to share my sense of pride.
I want to ensure that all AFC Wimbledon fans have their voices heard whether they be young or old. I’m not as young as I once was but I can bring experience and a hard-working ethic to the Board.
The future:
Crucially, I want to ensure that Plough Lane is a successful commercial asset for the club, I know that this is already a key consideration for the Board but it is essential that we clear our short term debt and generate revenue to support our first team and improve our match day experience for our fans.
To grow our fan ownership model I would love to engage more Wimbledon fans from all over the world, and to have more fans everywhere owning the club. Simplify membership and ticketing schemes for clarity.
I will continue to actively seek training facilities to support the ‘One Club’ ethos (Mens and Ladies Sections, Boys & Girls Academy, Disability Teams, The Foundation, Elite Girls) as I think it is essential that we create a unified location for all.
To continue my work across the Ladies Section with the ambition that the first team will play at the highest level of the English game.
To encourage local businesses to embrace our community ethos and to invest and sponsor our football and non-football activities such as Dons Local Action Group and all the valuable activities of the Foundation.