MERTON COUNCIL AND PLOUGH LANE

Some time ago in the not too dim and distant past our friends at Merton Council declared that they would build a stadium on the now derelict Plough Lane site whether Wimbledon Football Club took up residence there or not. They said that if WFC didn't want it they would find someone who would. Well AFC Wimbledon most certainly do.

Since that statement was made the independent FA Commission has sat and delieverd its decision to the world and allowed WFC to move to Milton Keynes. The council made a statement which appeared on their website saying how disappointed Councillor Judge was at the decision etc etc. Since then - nothing.

Does the council stand by it's declaration to build a new satdium anyway? I've got a sneaking suspicion that they won't. They have kept very very quiet on the subject of the stadium, Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon since 28 May, at least in public. But what are they doing and saying privately? Are they talking to Safeways? Even Councillor Andrew Judge, Leader of the Council, seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Before 28 May you couldn't shut him up or keep him away from any event with a camera anywhere near it. Anyone know if he has been at any of the friendly matches so far?

Now we all know that, as with many things so far, AFC Wimbledon keeps it's cards very close to it's chest, and quite rightly so, for fear of leaking information that may get to the press or elsewhere and damage ongoing negotiations but if anything is happening on this front we are not even getting those little tit bits of information that we have had in the past which says to me the Council is not talking to the club.

Having said all this I am looking at things as I see them sat here in sunny West Yorkshire so if anyone wants to correct me on anything I have said please do. My email address is wakefieldwomble@wisa.org.uk

Since writing the above item I have received an email from Peter Salter a AFCW supporter in Wolverhampton. Peter has had an email exchange with Andrew Judge and I have been allowed to reproduce those emails here. If anyone wishes to comment please feel free to email Peter (oapollo69@hotmail.com) or Andrew Judge

Dear Sir.

Now that Wimbledon FC have been given permission to uproot and move to Milton Keynes are the council in full support of AFC Wimbledon the new club set up by the people and supporters of Wimbledon. and could you let me know if at all possible what is happening with Plough Lane. As I read an article on the Sky Sports Web Site dated 26 July stating that Plough Lane is to be redeveloped as a new stadium. I have been a fan for 25 years and it is nice to see that the people of Wimbledon are truly die hard supporters of our national game.

I look forward to your reply.
Yours Thankfully.

Peter R Salter.

Wolverhampton

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Dear Mr. Salter,

Merton Council is fully supportive of AFC Wimbledon and anticipate that in a successful opening season they will preserve much of the tradition, spirit and identity of the old WFC.

Regrettably, the old stadium site at Plough Lane is owned by Safeway, who have submitted an outline planning application for housing on the site. Given their valuation of the site at £12m+ there is no prospect of AFC Wimbledon investing in the site. WFC have also maintained that they do not have that level of capital resources. That is a pity because there are no overriding technical or planning reasons why Plough Lane could not be developed as a stadium.

Thank you for your interest in Wimbledon.

Andrew Judge

Leader of the Council

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Dear Mr Judge.

Thank you very much for your reply to my query as regards Plough Lane. It was gratefully received. However as I read in a previous article there may be another site in Wimbledon that could possibly be used. that site is in Colliery Road. Is this a possibility or will you be helping the new club find a site from were they could play their home fixtures. As I like a lot of Wimbledon supporters would like to see the club actually playing from Wimbledon.

Thank you once again for your reply. I look forward to any help that you can give me.

Yours Thankfully.

Mr. Peter Salter.

Wolverhampton

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Dear Mr Salter,

We hope to work with AFC Wimbledon to find a site in the Borough where the Club could play in the future. The practical tests wopuld iclude costs, planning and transport considerations. Any changes in the Borough's planning framework that may be required, depending on the site, could take as long as four years to achieve. But we should begin the work this season.

Regards,

Andrew Judge