At the end of April, we held our first SGM [Special General Meeting] of 2023. This was to conclude the vote to formalise some of the changes to our rules that our members decided on at the December AGM.
We needed to meet certain criteria as these updates – many relating to the protection of our Plough Lane home, against sale – involved Restricted Actions which required 1,750 members to vote on them.
We comfortably got the votes we needed and so the resolutions have been passed.
Thank you to all of you who voted and attended the meeting.
Streaming of The SGM
We are aware some members had problems accessing the link to join the meeting remotely. We’re very frustrated that the problems occurred, & apologise to those members affected.
These processes are being reviewed & we are planning a much more effective way of involving members online in future meetings.
Consultation programme
The SGM began with discussion on the bond debt together with potential changes to the number of shares we own.
In considering any changes that might be made with members’ full support, we want to achieve the best possible outcome.
You’ll be hearing more about a formal process of consultation that we are going to be commencing from late June. This will run through the summer & early autumn, taking place both on & offline.
Olly Deed, director of stakeholder engagement company ECF, an expert in their field, is being formally engaged, to help us with this.
The reason this exercise is being done now is because we need to ensure that the PLC & the Finance Committee properly explore routes for repayment & refinancing the first tranche of Plough Lane Bonds in early 2025. The greater flexibility there is during this process, the better, in financial terms.
Additionally, we are collaborating with the club on a piece of consultation with the wider fan base as well. This will involve wider surveying of our fan base, which is planned during the early weeks of next season.
Doing this enables the DT to better understand potential members, creating the right recruitment campaigns to grow our membership – something we all want. It provides valuable insights about our fan base for the club. See below for more.
Membership changes
The membership year ends on June 30 2023.
Between now and then we will be making a number of changes to memberships & how they are handled, including the club now administering the Junior Dons. You can read a full breakdown of those changes on the website.
Board meeting summary
With the formal minutes being published for our May 10 board meeting, we’ve issued a short summary explaining what we discussed. Go to the news section to read it.
At the May board meeting, there was a discussion and vote about the recent Fans Forum. Further details on this can be read on the DT website.
Summer help at the training ground
During the close season, including squad training days, the training pitches at the training ground in New Malden will need watering.
The club has made a specific request for any volunteers to assist club staff to undertake this task – the more the merrier, and less workload for all concerned.
The work is physical, so if it is a very hot day, like many we experienced last summer, there is no cover from the sun, so it won’t suit all.
Help is needed on all days from 24 May – 25 July inclusive at different times of day – anyone who can help should contact Rick Thomasby Wednesday 24 May at the latest.
Foundation Festival of Football and DLAG Family Fun Day!
Our partner organisations have been busy with their end of season events to raise much needed funds for their work.
The AFC Wimbledon Foundation ran their Festival of Football at Plough Lane on 15 May, 35 years almost to the day of Wimbledon’s famous FA Cup Final Win over Liverpool. 2,500 local kids with their families turned up to see an AFC Wimbledon Legends charity team take on MC Harvey’s team full of ex-Premier League stars. The families took part in football games, panna cage fun & penalty shoot-outs on the pitch.
The day was a huge success for our foundation. Thank you and congratulations for putting on such a wonderful day for our communities!
Dons Local Action Group
The award-winning Dons Local Action Group are holding their annual Fun Day at the Old Ruts Clubhouse in Poplar Road from 10.30 on Saturday May 28. The event runs until 14:00, with attractions including
Bungee-jumping (registration in advance please), meeting AFC Wimbledon stars, a disco bus, a circus skills workshop and much more.
You can buy advance tickets and register for the bungee jump (if you’re brave enough!) via the DLAG website.
AFC Wimbledon Women
As members might know, we contribute towards the running costs of AFC Wimbledon’s Women.
Congratulations go to them on finishing runners-up in the FA National League Division One South East as well as in the Capital Cup final.
We can confirm that in the coming 2023/24 season, a minimum of four AFC Wimbledon Women’s first-team home games will be played at Plough Lane, with the aspiration, subject to logistics and fixture schedules, of playing up to eight games there.
Junior Dons update
Pearl Cooper & Jenson Stuart presented Player of the Year Jack Currie with his trophy on the pitch ahead of the last home game of the season against Tranmere on April 29. Congratulations to Jack.
Many thanks again to Isa Dabrowska for coordinating this.
Don’t forget that AFC Wimbledon now run the Junior Dons as part of the club’s offering. Get in touch with the club for more details via enquiries@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk
We appreciate feedback and queries from members at all times on all matters relating to the Dons Trust.
As there are no home league games until early August, members can post questions on ProBoards – https://donstrust.boards.net, email contact@thedonstrust.org with your questions about DT activities or tweet @TheDonsTrust. Please note registration is needed to post on ProBoards.
For any questions about club events, tickets, the stadium, merchandise etc. – email the club on
