Topic: Wimbledon go into administration

[ttnbd]

Wimbledon's financial troubles have led to the club being placed in administration.
Administrators Grant Thornton announced in a statement on Friday that it is working with the existing management to achieve the club's survival.

Wimbledon's losses had been on the increase following chairman Charles Koppel's controversial decision to relocate to Milton Keynes.

"This is yet another example of the intrinsic problems facing many football clubs," said Grant Thornton partner Nick Wood.

"Wimbledon's problems have been well documented and like so many clubs the short-term cashflow has become critical.

 We and the directors believe we will in due course see a successful outcome

Administrator Andy Hosking  
 

"Whilst not welcomed by many, it is becoming increasingly clear that a move to Milton Keynes is a key element in ensuring that the club has the facilities commensurate with its ambitions."

Wimbledon alienated a large part of their fanbase when they announced their intention to move from their temporary home at Selhurst Park to Milton Keynes.

It led to a boycott of the club's matches, with attendances sometimes falling to less than 2,000 as fans switched allegiance to the newly-formed amateur side AFC Wimbledon.

The club was given the go-ahead to relocate to Milton Keynes by an independent Football Association commission in May last year.

Dons get stadium go-ahead  
 

And final approval from the Football League for a temporary move to the town's National Hockey Stadium was granted in April.

"Over 60% of the club's current season-ticket capacity has been sold and these funds are secure and unaffected by this administration," said Grant Thornton partner Andy Hosking.

"We and the directors believe, with the enthusiasm shown in Milton Keynes and the dedicated efforts of the club's staff, we will in due course see a successful outcome."

[hoonin]

Good, f'ing hate Wimbledon.

Administration seems such a cop out to me. Got loads of debt? Call in the adinistrators, file for bankcruptcy and re-invent your plc. Worked a treat for Leicester, they got a free stadium in the process.

OK, maybe thats not quite factually correct, but you get my point?

[Stevo]

Great news.

Serves Koppell right. He said moving to Milton Keynes was the only way Wimbledon could survive! Haha  

[oojason]

I've never understood how Wimbledon have managed to financially survive anyway.

Can it really be possible for a team with so few fans to survive in modern-day footy? As of now, no - but surely thet must have racked up some srious debt over the years, regardless of selling on their 'better' players.

Strange how this is announced the day after the Football League announce there will be no penalties forteams who do go into administration - Wimbledon maybe would've started the new season on minus 6pts?

[Roger]

Go bankrupt and start afresh in MK.

Wimbledon's only a cuckoo anyway.

 

[roger_s]

made up about this news the way koppell has treated the wimbledon fans is a disgrace moving their club.

long live AFC WIMBLEDON

[Andy G]

Don't want to see any football club go under, but if there was one, they'd be it.

Long live AFC Wimbledon.   Amen

[Steve_M]

With them organising that big tennis tournament every year, I'd thought they'd be rolling in dough.  

[Eli_B (aka Badland Red)]

Don't want to see any football club go under, but if there was one, they'd be it.

Long live AFC Wimbledon.   Amen

Indeed Andy G and roger_s. If the odius Charles Koppel has a brainwave and decides to have a friendly against Liverpool. I'm sure that our fans will say hell no!  

[Mark_P]

I dunno, a trip to Milton Keynes ... loadsa tickets availible cos they've got no fans .... sounds good    

[Chris.]

they all go to old trafford

[Skeeve]

I dunno, a trip to Milton Keynes ... loadsa tickets availible cos they've got no fans .... sounds good    

It used to be very convenient when they were still in the top division, only away match I was certain to get a ticket for.

[Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆]

Only take me 20 mins on train to get there.