AFC Wimbledon Secure Their Return To Plough Lane
Land transfer means club now own the freehold of new stadium site
AFC Wimbledon have secured their return to the borough after completing a key stage for the development of their new stadium at Plough Lane.
Ownership of the land has recently been transferred to a subsidiary of the Dons Trust, The Wider Interests of Football Limited, meaning AFC Wimbledon began 2019 as owners of the freehold to that land.
A number of other transactions took place at the same time as the land transfer. These included the completion of the sale of The Cherry Red Records Stadium (Kingsmeadow) to Chelsea and the consequent transfer of funds to the Club and the use of some of those funds to repay the existing bank loan, which was secured on the club’s current stadium.
AFC Wimbledon Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: “The transfer of the freehold to our land on the Plough Lane site is a massive step forward. Finally, we no longer need to call Plough Lane our spiritual home – it’s our actual home.”
Mark Davis, Chair of the Dons Trust, said: “Finally, we no longer need to call Plough Lane our spiritual home – it’s our actual home. There are many people who deserve our thanks for making this happen, and I shall save their blushes for another day.
“In the meantime, we look forward to creating the stadium and matchday experience that our supporters want and to making Wimbledon the proud hosts, once again, of a football team that punches well above its weight. Come on you Dons!”
Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: “I am delighted that AFC Wimbledon are now the owners of Plough Lane and returning back to their home town. As ever, I am hugely thankful to the fans and our council staff who are working tirelessly towards the club’s return to the borough and have done so much to make Merton a great place for families.
“The development will be fantastic for our community, bringing not just an amazing stadium, but much needed homes and better transport links, new jobs and an economic boost to the local area. The whole of Merton will be cheering them on!”
Once completed, the new development will not only provide a state of the art 11,000- 20,000-seater football stadium for AFC Wimbledon, but will bring over 600 much needed homes, retail space, and a squash and fitness club.
January 18, 2019