AFC WIMBLEDON have been urged to ensure Kingstonian are properly looked after should they get the green light for an emotional return to Plough Lane.
The League Two Dons’ plans to turn the town’s Greyhound Stadium into an 11,000 all-seater ground are currently under council consideration – and fans are being asked to vote on a proposal to sell Kingsmeadow to Premier League champions Chelsea, who want to house their ladies and youth teams there.
Wimbledon bought the 4,800 capacity stadium from former Ks owners the Khosla family in 2003 and have transformed it into a Football League standard ground whilst charging Kingstonian a peppercorn rent to remain as tenants.
But should the Dons be successful in returning to their spiritual home, the Ks could be in limbo – despite an announcement that the Ryman Premier club will look to build a ground more fitting to the club’s size nearby.
Now, long-term sponsor Jon Tolley, a Kingston councillor who has backed the club financially for seven years through his Banquet Records company, says Wimbledon have an obligation to make sure the two-time FA Trophy winners’ future isn’t put as risk.
Interest
The NLP understands there is no agreement in place which would see the Ks continue to groundshare should Chelsea buy the lease.
However, Wimbledon are expected to put forward a sizeable sum towards their tenants’ relocation.
Tolley said: “I’d like to think there’s someone who can protect us. It can’t be in Dons’ moral interests to want this (homelessness) to happen, and it can’t be in Chelsea’s interests from a PR point of view, either.
“Everyone recognises how terrible the situation was when Wimbledon FC were allowed to move to Milton Keynes, absolutely screwed over by money grabbing asset-stripping chairmen who cared nothing for their fans and almost destroyed their club.
“With a sale of the ground from Wimbledon to Chelsea looking imminent, and all signs pointing to Chelsea not wanting a Ryman team lodging at their ground, we’re now looking at being forced out.
Injustice
“Wimbledon’s undoubted injustices are so big that the injustices dished out to K’s are overshadowed. Now, for the first time as I see it, we really do need Wimbledon to save Kingstonian.
“Their supporters more than anyone know about the wrongs served by chairmen not looking after football fans. They also know more than anyone about doing something about it and making it good.
“We need them to help sort us out, and give us a home. Not a free-letting in an oversized ground we’re not completely allowed in, but something to start us off in a new place.”
Kingstonian are pressing ahead with plans to locate a more suitably sized stadium in the area and their three co-chairmen – John Fenwick, Mark Anderson and Malcolm Winwright – have confirmed the club aim to become fan-owned before the end of the season.
The Dons’ possible deal with Chelsea will also be a blow to Staines Town, who receive a large sum every season to host the Blues’ ladies side.
I’d like to know what K’s have done with all the money they should have saved over the last who knows how many years they have been playing at Kingsmeadow rent-free, including all their bar takings. They certainly haven’t spent it on their team or put any aside for this day (which everyone knew was coming).