posted Aug 6, 2007

That's what should have happened michenorman but it didn't, as it is we have to play with the hand we're dealt. Don't forget that a good many former Dons supporters followed their team to MK as well - if there is to be a change of name then they should be the first to be asked.

Short of parading Peter Winkelman around AFCW's ground in sack-cloth and ashes I'm not sure we can to any more than keep on keeping on.

I'd be intrigued if AFCW do succeed and do eventually reach the premiership - if they had sound financial backing and if they found somewhere to build a decent ground that would be quite a feat. I say that without irony and I hope they can prove the FA Commission wrong.

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posted Aug 7, 2007

I was hoping someone else would make this point and save me the trouble but most of your contributors seem to be telling Wimbledon fans to "get over it" or wishing Franchise good luck for next season.

So, MK Dons have given up any claim to the honours won by Wimbledon FC prior to 2002. All very noble but it highlights a glaring injustice. While your report concentrates on the 1988 FA Cup win, these honours include eight Isthmian League & three Southern League chamionships. It was these (particularly the consecutive Southern League titles won by Alan Batsford's team from 1975-77) which secured Wimbledon's election to the Football League in 1977. If MK Dons have given up their claim to these titles, then, by logical extension, shouldn't they also have given up their claim on our League place? They won't, of course but at least they've stopped petending that they are a football club rather than a franchise, vindicating the decision of real Wimbledon fans to carry on (under the name AFC Wimbledon) and to try to regain what was stolen.

Perhaps BBC Sport could contact the members of the FA's inactivity smokescreen (sorry, Independent Commission) and ask whether they still deny opening the door to football franchising.

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posted Aug 7, 2007

I think you should read the report yourself, DT00271 - there's a summary here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/sport/2002/05/28/wimbledon_move.shtml

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posted Aug 7, 2007

loughtnonmkdon, I've read the summary and, as far as I can tell, nothing in it undermines any of the points I made above. What am I missing exactly?

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posted Aug 7, 2007

baba-if yr being sarcastic, then at least u have a sense of humour lol

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posted Aug 8, 2007

DT00271 my point is that decision made at the appeal to the FA Commission was to allow the continuation of Wimbledon FC in Milton Keynes.

I was certainly surprised that the move was allowed and you're right, effectively it ratified a football franchise (in the sense that it is allowed in the US).

It was a unique solution to a unique problem (to coin a phrase) - if you read the full 67 page report it can be seen that all possible angles were considered. It's not for me to comment on the legal aspects but the objections to it were mostly very reasonable. I think it was dreadfully unfair on the Wimbledon fans but you have to note that the dispute was with the then management, local council and the owners.

The report intended to provide a pragmatic solution to an intractible problem - the protagonists in the original dispute have long gone and the new fans at MK are the only people left who people can raise any protest against.

There has been work done behind the scenes resulting in the formal handing over of the honours and memorabilia of Wimbledon FC resulting in an accord, to quote one significant part:

"WISA has today removed its call for all supporters to boycott games played by Milton Keynes Dons FC in Milton Keynes and has informed the Football Supporters Federation that it has removed its objection to the Milton Keynes Dons Supporters Association gaining membership."...
http://www.wisa.org.uk/cgi/l/articles/index.cgi?action=show&id=558

It's a shame that people still claim that MK 'stole' Wimbledon's league place - MK fans had no say in the matter and with hindsight a more equitable compromise may have been found.

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posted Aug 8, 2007

sorry mate, a reasoned and accurate argument like that has no place here.

more like stupid, ignorant tabloid-based vitriol like 'you killed football' 'you should be ashamed' and the same old claptrap from people who have little or no understanding of this, or indeed any other situation. Football fans are a thick lot, and 'franchise fc' really brings out the stupidity in people.

ppl always say 'oh wat if it was your club'?? well if it was i would direct my anger at the people who let my club go to the wall in the first place, rather than a set of football fans who had nothing whatsoever to do with it

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posted Aug 9, 2007

To be honest, I have a lot of time and respect for the majority of AFC fans, but to those who just do not want to take other peoples views, or the truth, into account, and spend their time spouting out the same rubbish they saw from another fan on another post. For these fans I have no respect and no time!

We are a new, up and coming family club! I hate the way some really bitter people can't understand it was not our fault as fans! It was the fault of Koppel and the Norweigens (However you spell it) and Hammam!

You can say it way down to Winkleman, but all he was trying to do was save a club! Speak to the guy, listen to him, feel the aura around him! He is a great man with great ideas and a real love for the game of football... He thought what he was doing was right, and fair play to him for that.

He followed his heart and has put his whole heart into our club and I have great admiration for it!

Get the facts straight and treat us as human beings before you come back, or I am so fed up I will start doing a bath womble and deleting all of your postings!

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posted Aug 9, 2007

If the spirit of this accord has any meaning then ALL other footballing boycotts relating to MK Dons and their fans should be rescinded.

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posted Aug 9, 2007

Bless! I love how the supporting ranks of Wimbledon FC suddenly became so large *after* the club moved to Milton Keynes. I can sort of understand glory hunters but outrage followers? What the hell is that about?

Let's face it, even when they were in the top league Wimbledon FC got a pathetic attendance. Not poor, but utterly pathetic. So if they were getting such bad attendances what is better? That they move or just die from lack of support?

I'm glad they are in Milton Keynes. They now have a quality ground, a good manager and are making their own history. And those who don't like it can go fornicate with themselves.

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