Engage!

Posted on April 21, 2018 by The Dons Trust

Dons Trust Board member Tim Hillyer is a co-opted member of the Board of Supporters Direct, and here summarises a recent publication by them aimed at improving clubs’ engagement with fans.

As part of their work to encourage the formation and sustainable operation of supporters’ trusts and fans-owned clubs in England and Wales, Supporters Direct produces publications that aim to be of benefit to both clubs and supporters. Recently, they issued Engage! How Clubs Can Win with Football Supporters, which..

Club enters into mediation process suggested by EFL

Posted on April 18, 2018 by The Dons Trust

The English Football League (EFL) has issued a press release announcing that the Club has agreed to enter into mediation to seek a long-term resolution to the issues for which it was charged late in 2017. The charges are set out in the EFL statement.

After consulting the Dons Trust board the football club board has agreed to enter into the mediation process suggested by the EFL. Both boards agreed that the Club should participate because we believe that continuing as we..

A unified fans’ organisation

Posted on April 15, 2018 by The Dons Trust

Dons Trust Board member Tim Hillyer is an elected member of the National Council of the Football Supporters’ Federation and a co-opted member of the Board of Supporters Direct. Here is his update on progress being made to set up a single representative body for English (and Welsh) football supporters.

Almost six months ago, I reported on the early stages of a move to set up a new body to incorporate both the campaigning ethos of the Football Supporters’ Federation..

Engaging the fanbase

Posted on April 15, 2018 by The Dons Trust

Cormac van der Hoeven, who joined the Dons Trust Board at the end of last year, believes that the Trust must look to extend its appeal to more – and younger – fans.

“With completion must come renewal.”

The Dons Trust (DT), led until recently by Matt Breach and now by Mark Davis – has been instrumental in supporting our historic return to Plough Lane. With that move will come a form of completion: within nine years of re-forming we had..

April’s Board Meeting Summary

Posted on April 10, 2018 by The Dons Trust

The Dons Trust Board (DTB) held its regular board meeting at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Monday 9 April 2018. Ahead of publication of the redacted minutes, this article summarises the main points discussed.

The meeting was attended by DTB members, Matthew Breach, Mark Davis (Chair), Colin Dipple, Roger Evans, Nigel Higgs, Cormac van der Hoeven, Jane Lonsdale, Charles Williams, Sean McLaughlin, Tim Hillyer and DT secretariat members Andrew Williams and Hannah Kitcher. The DTB welcomed to the meeting..

SGM 26th April

Posted on April 1, 2018 by The Dons Trust

The first Dons Trust SGM of 2018 will be held at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Thursday 26th April at 7.30pm.

All DT members welcome.

The DTB will be discussing with members how DTB business is being organised this year and will also be unveiling a new logo for members’ approval.

The meeting will provide members with an opportunity to contribute to discussion about Trust and Club matters. Papers for the meeting can be found here.

There will be a break during which the..

Can you help support the future of the Junior Dons?

Posted on March 31, 2018 by The Dons Trust

The Dons Trust is looking for up to three volunteers to help administrate the Junior Dons section of its membership.

The Junior Dons (JDs) is the aged 16 and under members of the Dons Trust – the owners of AFC Wimbledon. The JDs section was set up to promote the engagement of young supporters with both the club and the Trust so that their engagement and participation was maintained as they grow older.

The JDs have been overseen by Roger..

Increasing diversity

Posted on March 31, 2018 by The Dons Trust

Dons Trust Board member Jane Lonsdale looks at the diversity of the Board and encourages others to think about standing for election.

As many will know, the Dons Trust is run in a democratic way, through annual elections to the Dons Trust Board (DTB), with any member of the Dons Trust eligible to be nominated for election.

Unfortunately, last year there were not enough candidates for a contested election, so all the nominated candidates automatically became DTB members; the same..

Wanted: Volunteer for vital role

Posted on March 20, 2018 by The Dons Trust

Dons Drawn administrator needed

Established in 2005, the Dons Draw is a vital source of fundraising for AFC Wimbledon, raising over £75,000 per year.

After 13 years in the role of Dons Draw Administrator, Neil Messenbird has decided the time has finally come to hand on that role. We are therefore looking for a new Administrator. This role (which is unpaid) currently occupies around 3 – 5 hours per month and essentially involves:

Adding new entrants and removing lapsed entrants..

March’s Board Meeting Summary

Posted on March 16, 2018 by The Dons Trust

The Dons Trust Board (DTB) held its regular board meeting at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Wednesday 14 March 2018. Ahead of publication of the redacted minutes, this article summarises the main points discussed.

The meeting was attended by DTB members Matthew Breach, Mark Davis (Chair), Colin Dipple, Roger Evans, Nigel Higgs, Cormac van der Hoeven, Jane Lonsdale, Charles Williams and DT Secretariat member Hannah Kitcher.

The DTB were joined by club chief executive Erik Samuelson, chief operating officer..