Chelsea FC Closer To Acquiring New Ground
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The AFC Wimbledon fans have supported Chelsea’s proposals.
Chelsea FC have taken a step closer to acquiring AFC Wimbledon’s home ground of Kingsmeadow. The Blues are hoping to secure control of the ground in order to provide their youth and ladies teams with a quality venue to stage their games.
According to The Guardian, the handing over of the keys is a mere formality after the Dons Trust voted overwhelmingly in favour of the stadium sale.
"At a special general meeting on Monday night the Dons Trust, the largest shareholder of AFC Wimbledon, voted overwhelmingly in favour of selling the stadium lease."
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While the approval of the Dons Trust does not guarantee the sale in itself, they do make up over 90% of the shares in the football club and thus the motion will almost certainly be passed.
It may initially baffle some as to why The Dons are so keen to part ways with their home ground but as with most things, there is an underlying reason.
AFC Wimbledon were formed when the cult outfit of Wimbledon FC were relocated to Milton Keynes. Outraged with the US-style shift and change in name to Milton Keynes Dons, the supporters set up AFC Wimbledon in protest. The team have since tasted exponential success and find themselves playing in League Two.
However, the stakeholders have always wanted to return to their spiritual home and the sale of Kingsmeadow facilitates this. Their aim is to build a brand new stadium in Merton, where Plough Lane originally housed Wimbledon FC.
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This seems like great business for all those involved. The Chelsea Ladies currently host opposition at Wheatsheaf Park, home to Staines Town Football Club. The youth teams use the Recreation Ground (Aldershot Town) and Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham as their home venues. The acquisition of Kingsmeadow will allow both divisions to have a quality near-5000 seater stadium to use regularly.
For The Dons, meanwhile, they represent what football is all about: the fans. After a heroic effort to climb five divisions since their inception (or rebirth) in 2002, it would be great to see the club return to their roots and go on to bigger and better things. With plans drawn up for a stadium that could seat over 10,000 people, there is no doubt that AFC Wimbledon see bright lights on the horizon.
It is yet unclear how much the Blues will be paying the League Two team for the ground, but both parties seem eager to make the deal happen so it must be mutually beneficial.
Next: France And England To Play Emotional Friendly At Wembley Stadium
Perhaps the signing of Kingsmeadow can kick off a winter of transfer activity?