They play their first game at their new ground, back in the Borough of Merton, 18 years after their club was stolen.
It’s an amazing achievement, goes to show the power of a fan-owned club and what they can achieve. From essentially a pick-up game on a local park to an impressive brand new stadium, built through hard work, dedication, consultation & crowdfunding.
The only sad thing about it is that there aren’t more clubs like AFC Wimbledon because they have shown what can be achieved. In the League, I think it’s only Exeter City who are fully fan-owned and they regularly punch above their weight. Other clubs like Grimsby, Wycombe & Carlisle have a minority fan stake.
Now that AFC Wimbledon have shown the way, let’s hope more clubs follow this sustainable model!
It’s a great story worth celebrating. I hope the model they’ve got isn’t wrecked by the pandemic. Seems like a lifetime ago when I was having a good old drunken chat with some Dons fans who were on their way back to London from Anfield. It was just after they’d sold Dennis Wise to Chelsea. Nice chaps.
It’s a great story worth celebrating. I hope the model they’ve got isn’t wrecked by the pandemic.
I could be wrong but I wonder if they’re actually better set up to survive. Ask yourself this: if you had an actual stake in the club, would you consider chipping in to help it through the bad times? I think I’d be much more likely to do so.
I was reading elsewhere that Exeter are doing well because their outstanding youth academy has seen them receive some big transfer fees, including a chunky sell-on for the striker Brentford sold to Villa (Watkins?). Sure, some of that is lucky timing but it comes from doing things the right way.
I would consider chipping in yes. Whether I and many others would have the spare cash to do that over the next 12 months remains to be seen. Hopefully they will be fine.
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