Wimbledon FC patrimony is returned

THE FSF ( http://www.fsf.org.uk) was proud to play its part in the successful conclusion of negotiations between supporters of AFC Wimbledon and MK Dons, which resulted in Wimbledon’s historic collection of honours being returned the Borough of Merton.

And, on behalf on both clubs, the FSF respectfully requests that, with immediate effect, our media colleagues now refer to MK Dons in relation ONLY to matches played since their first Football League fixture was fulfilled, against Barnsley on August 7, 2004,

Chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation Malcolm Clarke said: “We were delighted to play our part in finally reaching a satisfactory conclusion to this problem, and one which is to the benefit of all parties.”

“The Football Supporters Federation is delighted that the honours and records of the former Wimbledon FC are now back in the community where the were won and where they belong. We are delighted to have played a role in bringing this about and I would like to pay tribute to all the other parties to this agreement for being willing to sit down and hammer out a deal which gives something for everybody and enables us all to move on.

‘We remain implacably opposed to the concept of football franchising and sincerely hope that this situation never arises again.

“We never want to see another football club uprooted and moved in this manner, and returning the Wimbledon cups, medals and general memorabilia to Merton, the community from which they were won, was certainly the right thing to.

“Meanwhile, all parties involved in these successful negotiations have agreed that, in future, reference must ONLY be made to MK Dons in relation to fixtures fulfilled since their official formation in 2004.

“With immediate effect, the name MK Dons should now ONLY be used in conjunction with any fixtures which have taken place since the club first played under that name in the Football League.

“And I should also like to confirm that, with immediate effect MK Dons supporters will now be admitted to the FSF with immediate effect – and our calls for fans to boycott the club have also immediately ceased.”

The memorabilia from the former Wimbledon F.C., including a replica FA Cup trophy to commemorating the Crazy Gang’s famous triumph over Liverpool in 1988, was returned to the London Borough of Merton in an official ceremony on Thursday, August 2.

A collection of historical Wimbledon FC items including a replica FA Cup was handed to Merton Council by MK Dons FC Chair, Pete Winkleman, who travelled down with the patrimony, and completed its handover, accompanied by FSF Chairman, Malcolm Clarke and Chair of MK Dons Supporters Association, John Brockwell.

The Mayor of Merton, Councillor John Dehaney, formally accepted the returned memorabilia on behalf of the borough, and invited Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association, Ross MacLagen to open the boxes of Wimbledon FC on the council’s behalf and to be the first Wimbledon fan to see the patrimony since it left Merton five years previously.

Deputy Leader of Merton Council, Cllr Samantha George said: ‘We are hugely honoured to receive the patrimony of the former Wimbledon Football Club restored to its spiritual home here in south west London. We have been entrusted with a real piece of history which we will treasure, so they can be enjoyed by both current and future generations.”

Television crews from as far afield as Scandanavia where part of a media possee which assembled to witness the hand over, which was also widely covered by both local and national radio stations and received many column inches of newspaper coverage.

And news the historic return of the patrimony even reached the Houses of Parliament,as MP for Milton Keynes South West Phyllis Starkey tabled an Early Day Motion which read: “This House welcomes the announcement from the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF) that a binding agreement has been negotiated to allow the patrimony of Wimbledon FC to be transferred to the London Borough of Merton; notes that this enables the trophies to be put on public display for the first time, allowing football supporters to view this historic collection; further welcomes the move to withdraw the boycott of Milton Keynes (MK) Dons football matches and to allow MK Dons Supporters’ Association to join the FSF; and applauds the considerable efforts made by all the parties to the Accord (FSF, Milton Keynes Dons, Milton Keynes Dons Supporters’ Association and Wimbledon Independent Supporters’ Association).”

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