The boards of the Dons Trust and AFCW PLC are pleased to announce that Mick Buckley has agreed to take on the role of AFC Wimbledon Chair, for a period of one year, at the conclusion of his current interim role.
Mick has been serving as chair of the football club on an interim basis since the departure of CEO Joe Palmer, having been a director of variously the Dons Trust, the football club and AFCW PLC over the last decade and more, as well as being a lifelong Wimbledon fan. He will start this new role once the recruitment of a managing director (MD) of AFC Wimbledon has been finalised. For the MD role, we’ve spoken to some highly qualified and experienced candidates and now we are into the next stage. That’s making a decision, making an offer, and having it accepted, agreeing contracts and the club and any successful candidate tidying up loose ends. So, there’s more to do, and we’ll be updating fans and members when we have an announcement to make.
The role of AFC Wimbledon Chair will be part-time, equivalent to two days a week. Responsibilities will include:
- chairing the PLC board
- line management for the first-team manager
- completing the recruitment of our new MD
- restarting the recruitment process for our planned head of football operations (HoFO) role
- line management of both once appointed
- supporting both in their roles and assisting them in embedding the new club structure and way of working.
Dons Trust board chair Kris Stewart explained: “As we complete the key hiring of our new managing director and continue our work improving board structures and accountability, I’m delighted that Mick has agreed to stay on in this new role.
“No one knows the club at every level better than Mick and it’s great for us all that he will be here to support and oversee our continued transformation.”
Iain McNay will be handing over the PLC chair to Mick Buckley while staying on the board. Kris added: “Iain has chaired the PLC board for eighteen years, for which he deserves our thanks. With Mick now moving into the chair, we’re very glad to be able to keep Iain’s experience, knowledge, and business acumen on the board.”
Iain said: “Mick has worked tirelessly for the club over the past few months and proved to be a strong steady hand the way as he has guided us through significant change. The club has matured in so many ways since I was appointed Chair of the PLC. At that point EFL status and a fantastic new stadium in Wimbledon seemed very ambitious targets. But we have done both and will keep moving forward. Thank you to all the PLC directors and Dons Trust board members past and present for their support and tireless work on behalf of our club.“
Mick Buckley added: “I look forward to supporting our new managing director in equipping the club for the challenges and opportunity of growing our revenue at Plough Lane and providing an improved experience for all our members and fans.
“I’ve been excited to get to know all the staff and volunteers in my interim role and I know we have so many people involved who want to see us progress and grow. My role will be to provide the support for that to happen.”
Following further work on our strategy and our setup, the Dons Trust board will be consulting with members on changes to the boards and their roles before the Trust AGM later this year, to add clarity and improve accountability.