Wimbledon given the cold shoulder!

[Mr Dubby]

Charlton have scrapped plans to face First Division Wimbledon in a pre-season friendly following a critical reaction from fans.

Chief executive Peter Varney told the club's official website: "Following last Thursday's announcement of plans for the game in Milton Keynes, there has been an overwhelming response from our supporters expressing their concerns.

"We pride ourselves on listening to our fans and in the light of their reaction we have taken the decision not to proceed with this fixture."


Quite unprecedented !

[slip]

Well would you wanna go to Milton Keynes? :nuts: :D

[mjb1975]

Great move from Charlton and it's nice to hear that they've listened to fans opinions.

Will make an interesting precident for others who may be approached for pre-season friendlies up there - if no-one else wants to do it, I think Franchise FC are in trouble before next season even starts!! :D

[ffc]

CAFC a properly run and managed football team. What a rarity in todays game. The antithesis of franchise Utd.

[Bill Carr]

Originally posted by slip
Well would you wanna go to Milton Keynes? :nuts: :D

:lol:

:nono: Cheeky

[mjb1975]

Aha! More egg on face for Franchise FC :D

Taken from the Spurs official website...

Following a training camp at La Manga, Spain, Stevenage Borough will be our first opponents for our busy pre-season schedule of friendly matches, which will include an overseas tour and two ties at White Hart Lane before the start of the Premiership season on August 16.

Discussions were held with Wimbledon about forming part of our schedule but following feedback from our supporters and The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust, the Club have taken the decision to withdraw from the game.

Looks like it's catching, with no doubt many more clubs prolly doing the very same thing....

[Mr Dubby]

Dons in new mascot hunt


Wimbledon are searching for a new mascot in Milton Keynes after being deserted by Wandle the Womble.
The Dons have been told by the owners of the Wombles brand that their three-year licence agreement to use the bear-like mascot will not be renewed when it expires on 30 June, and are inviting supporters to come up with suggestions for a new figurehead.

The Wombles were created in 1968 by Elisabeth Beresford and began life by picking up rubbish on Wimbledon Common in an animated television series narrated by Bernard Cribbens. However they will no longer be associated with Wimbledon now they have relocated.

Dons chairman Charles Koppel said in a statement: "We are bitterly disappointed that we will no longer legitimately be able to be associated with The Wombles.

"Our mascot Wandle has been a popular figure at our matches and at events outside of football in recent years, appearing at many community and charity functions. However we do not own the rights to The Wombles and the owner does not wish to renew our licence so we are now looking for an alternative.

"We are delighted to give our supporters the opportunity to help choose the replacement.''

Dave Boyle of the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association, who switched their allegiance to non-league AFC Wimbledon when the Dons decided to leave south London, suggested the club use a dead duck as their new mascot.

He said: "I think a dead duck would be appropriate because that is what the club is. Our main focus is on proving there is only one club rightly called Wimbledon.

"Koppel's club have lost their mascot, their club badge, most of their fans, and their identity, and should call themselves Milton Keynes FC.''

AFC Wimbledon hope to employ a Womble mascot at matches next season

[camaj]

The news today is that wimbledon look like they're going under :(

[spearce8]

Originally posted by camaj
The news today is that wimbledon look like they're going under :(

What serious, or just the "Admin" cop out, like York, Lincoln, Bradford to mention just Three, but you know, I could actually see them going under, they've no Ground, and they've Alienated what fans thet have will this Milton Keynes move. Serves um right, not that I'd like to see it happen.

[camaj]

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/030606/21/e1pkx.html

They say the administrators have been called in

[IanJHicks]

Camaj....they have and let's hope Koppell and his Franchise scum can't worm their way out of this one.

Belated thanks to the Charlton, Spurs and Luton fans who have hopefully helped make this happen.

AFC Wimbledon - Womble Till I Die:clap:

[NezB]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
Camaj....they have and let's hope Koppell and his Franchise scum can't worm their way out of this one.


No disrespect IanJHicks but why can't you just get over it? Every post you state AFC till I die (or whatever) So why do you have keep slating the other Wimbledon?

OK I understand it was your team for 29 years, and I'd be gutted if the same happened to my club BUT if you decide to change the team you support then do so, and move on.



Sorry if it sounds like i'm "having a go", thats not intentional but I just don't (and probably can't) understand.

[IanJHicks]

NezB...no disrespect but until they go out of business we (ex Wimbledon fans will not be happy!) Forming our own club was just part of it. We vowed at the same time to make sure that Koppell's plans failed. I'm sorry but until it has happened to you please don't preach to me about it. I go on about it because franchising in football is a cancer. It Wimbledon had succeeded then it would have opened the flood gates. What we (AFCW) have done has inspired other supporters to set up Trusts and take control of THEIR clubs. Just look at what York fans have done and Exeter are going in the same direction. Charlton fans were the flag bearers....and look at what their fans have achieved. You wouldn't get a Charlton fan telling me to "get over it!!!"

So I'm sorry but I will keep going on about this until Franchising in football is snuffed out. When Koppells excuse for a football club goes bust I will still fight to stop it happening to other clubs.

NezB ---REAL supporters understand......but hey you're a Norwich fan and we know how many your lot took down to Selhurst this season!!!!:brickwall

[andybhoy]

Fans have been known to follow their team across vast distances. I know people who travel from Ireland, and the south of england to every Celtic game. I heard that there were a few Man Utd fans from outside Manchester who go to games too.

Bearing that in mind, why are so few or no Dons fans willing to travel to MK to follow the team they love(d). Yes, it's not exactly near, and yes, it's expensive and yes, they're very, very angry (with good reason imo), but to abandon their support and effectively choose a new team (regardless of the choice of name, it is NOT the same team), I just don't get it. Sure, campaign against franchising, and make your voices heard, but to effectively give up the club you've loved for 3 decades.... Nose, cutting, spite.

What I also don't get, is how they can claim to be "real" football fans, and accuse others of not being real fans. That's pretty rude and aggressive, and isn't going to get you any sympathy. It might make some people hope both teams go bust =P

[NezB]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
I'm sorry but until it has happened to you please don't preach to me about it.

Wheres the preaching I'm just trying to understand your obsession with the old Wimbledon when you've already switched to AFC?

So I'm sorry but I will keep going on about this until Franchising in football is snuffed out. When Koppells excuse for a football club goes bust I will still fight to stop it happening to other clubs.

Not a problem mate, but i'd be interseted to see how much time you took to support other teams in their hour of need eg Brighton, Aldershot etc

NezB ---REAL supporters understand......but hey you're a Norwich fan and we know how many your lot took down to Selhurst this season!!!!:brickwall

Oh this is the best bit Norwich fans aren't real supporters because they follow their team? :nuts: Yeah we took quite a few to Selhurst, so What? Let me get this straight, in your opinion real supporters don't go to games to follow THEIR team, they go to pay money to the opposition and to **** off the fans of another club not even involved in the match???

[Mandrill]

Originally posted by andybhoy
Fans have been known to follow their team across vast distances. I know people who travel from Ireland, and the south of england to every Celtic game. I heard that there were a few Man Utd fans from outside Manchester who go to games too.

Bearing that in mind, why are so few or no Dons fans willing to travel to MK to follow the team they love(d). Yes, it's not exactly near, and yes, it's expensive and yes, they're very, very angry (with good reason imo), but to abandon their support and effectively choose a new team (regardless of the choice of name, it is NOT the same team), I just don't get it. Sure, campaign against franchising, and make your voices heard, but to effectively give up the club you've loved for 3 decades.... Nose, cutting, spite.

What I also don't get, is how they can claim to be "real" football fans, and accuse others of not being real fans. That's pretty rude and aggressive, and isn't going to get you any sympathy. It might make some people hope both teams go bust =P

I have to agree with you mate :thumbs:

Having a go at NEZ B because Norwich fans went to Selhurst to Support their team ,nothing to do with anything going on with Wimbledon is wrong.

[IanJHicks]

You lot really don't understand do you. MILTON KEYNES IS NOT IN WIMBLEDON. NORWICH PLAY IN NORWICH!!! GEDDIT. ANd Celtic play in Glasgow like they always have done. Would you go and support Norwich if they moved to Ipswich....I think not. We didn't want opposing fans to go to Selhurst so they werent lining Koppells pockets. Anyway all the teams who took a large away following (Norwich \Poertsmouth etc lost) By the way we did help Brighton and we have raised money for York City recently. We are also trying to help one of your fellow CCL clubs Viking Greenford from going out of existence. Thank you.

What have YOU ever done for other clubs in trouble.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!

[Davester]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
NezB...no disrespect but until they go out of business we (ex Wimbledon fans will not be happy!) Forming our own club was just part of it. We vowed at the same time to make sure that Koppell's plans failed. I'm sorry but until it has happened to you please don't preach to me about it. I go on about it because franchising in football is a cancer. It Wimbledon had succeeded then it would have opened the flood gates. What we (AFCW) have done has inspired other supporters to set up Trusts and take control of THEIR clubs. Just look at what York fans have done and Exeter are going in the same direction. Charlton fans were the flag bearers....and look at what their fans have achieved. You wouldn't get a Charlton fan telling me to "get over it!!!"

So I'm sorry but I will keep going on about this until Franchising in football is snuffed out. When Koppells excuse for a football club goes bust I will still fight to stop it happening to other clubs.

NezB ---REAL supporters understand......but hey you're a Norwich fan and we know how many your lot took down to Selhurst this season!!!!:brickwall I agree with you about franchising but I think having a go at him because he disagrees with you is out of order. I also don't understand how you can stop supporting your club. Whether you play at plough lane or on timbuck 2 that is your club. However much I dislike doug and smithers at villa I would never stop loving them and going. Guess each to his own

[Davester]

Originally posted by IanJHicks


PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!! what? because he disagrees with you he doesn't have a right to an opinion?

[IanJHicks]

We are still supporting OUR club. AFC Wimbledon are our club. On May28th 2002 OUR players was taken away from us by a 3 man FA commission. One thing you ALL seen to forget here is a football CLUB is it's SUPPORTERS. Players, chairman, staff all come and go. The only constant is the FANS. Pratically ALL Wimbledon fans follow AFC Wimbledon, so we haven't deserted OUR club...are players and owner shafted US, so we had the balls to stand up to them and the football authorites and keep OUR club going. Our heroes Lawrie Sanchez, Dave Beasant, Dickie Guy, Jason Euell, Chris Perry, Neal Ardley etc have all been to see us (AFCW) and agree that WE are the real WImbledon not that bumbling excuse that's going into Administration

[Davester]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
We are still supporting OUR club. AFC Wimbledon are our club. On May28th 2002 OUR players was taken away from us by a 3 man FA commission. One thing you ALL seen to forget here is a football CLUB is it's SUPPORTERS. Players, chairman, staff all come and go. The only constant is the FANS. Pratically ALL Wimbledon fans follow AFC Wimbledon, so we haven't deserted OUR club...are players and owner shafted US, so we had the balls to stand up to them and the football authorites and keep OUR club going. Our heroes Lawrie Sanchez, Dave Beasant, Dickie Guy, Jason Euell, Chris Perry, Neal Ardley etc have all been to see us (AFCW) and agree that WE are the real WImbledon not that bumbling excuse that's going into Administration Okay, I agree with you about the fans. Being a villa fan I'd also say history was important (seems that is we have - cheers Doug). Fair enough, but I'd leave the other Dons alone now. They are down and out. Move on and support the new dons. From my point of view, as I am not involved, I think it is crying shame. I have many fond memories of the crazy gang days (7-1 :D Vinnie Vinnie whats the score?!), and when they left teh premiership it changed. No longer can anyone make it and achieve. Perhaps I should get myself a soapbox, some bovril and a flat cap :D

[Legendary]

Well it happens in America ie American Football, Baseball, Basketball eg

St Louis Rams was LA Rams then before Cleveland Rams.

So what are the American sport reaction to it anyway.

I do think London have too many teams and Milton Keynes move is a good idea, but it wouldn't work. As it is hard to change people's passion and history.

I mean Wimbledon have been looking for a new stadium for 10 years or whatever with Merton Council. Also they don't have a very big crowd I think.

[IanJHicks]

Legendary, we have our own ground now in Kingston, one mile outside Merton. We are a thriving club who on 2 occasions have dhad to turn fans away this season with crowds exceeding 4500, not bad for a league 8 below the 1st Division.

[Alan. b]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!

Friendly warning: We will less of that thank you.

[Legendary]

It must be awful to go back to the bottom and not see team like Sunderland, West Ham, Coventry, Derby County, etc.

So what make Charles Koppel look outside the area anyway ?

[Davester]

Originally posted by Legendary
It must be awful to go back to the bottom and not see team like Sunderland, West Ham, Coventry, Derby County, etc.

:lol:

[IanJHicks]

Legendary...we're having a great time, loving it, best season in ages. Koppell looked at MK because it's all to do with a property development involing ASDA. He and the Norwegians just wanted to recoup some of £30 million that Sam 'spit' Hammam conned them out of when he sold them the club. All this is was at the expense of the fans.

Koppell, Winkleman, Hammam, Gjelstein and Rocke, you are all to blame and we have long memories.

Pray you don't shaft Cardiff fans Sam

[Legendary]

Let hope you will be able to rise to the top again.

Good Luck anyway.

[IanJHicks]

Cheers Legendary, thanks for the support

[NezB]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
. Would you go and support Norwich if they moved to Ipswich....I think not.

I probably would (although I'd make sure I'd had all my jabs first ;) ) BUT even if I didn't I wouldn't spend the rest of my life bitching about it either.

We didn't want opposing fans to go to Selhurst so they werent lining Koppells pockets. Anyway all the teams who took a large away following (Norwich \Poertsmouth etc lost)

I Don't suppose Leicester/Ipswich/Sheff Wed took many fans then. :confused:

By the way we did help Brighton and we have raised money for York City recently. We are also trying to help one of your fellow CCL clubs Viking Greenford from going out of existence. Thank you.

We're not in the CCL? :nuts:
Every club in the league helped Brighton iirc (bad example by me ) and the others you mention are both recent examples. You scratch my back perhaps... :suspect:

What have YOU ever done for other clubs in trouble.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!

I went to Wimbledon_FC last year! :wave:

You really seem to have missed my point IJH, IMHO franchising isn't a good thing, BUT if you support AFC then fair enough, but why try and cause trouble fot REAL supporters (as you put it) that still support the original Wimbledon. I've got a hell of a lot more respect for the eleven fans that came to Carrow Road than I have... no I'd better not T&Cs etc.

btw Was it you who trolled a Norwich message board begging fans not to go to Selhurst and then got in a huff because you were told to bugger off cos people were going to see their own team? No couldn't have been that doesn't sound like you.

[camaj]

Originally posted by andybhoy
I just don't get it. Sure, campaign against franchising, and make your voices heard, but to effectively give up the club you've loved for 3 decades.... Nose, cutting, spite.

That's what I've been saying for ages. I've been trying to get the AFC-ers to tell me what "franchise FC" have done wrong besides moving to MK. So far that's the ONLY reason I've heard. I can't believe that's the only reason, I mean there must be something more to it that THAT!

As I said before I can appreciate them not being happy about moving to MK, but it's better than dublin and I don't remember hearing any negative comments about that idea. However, what they've done is a complete over-reaction.

I personally hate the american franchise system but that's no way comparible to what happened at wimbledon. They're not changing their name and MK's didn't offer a stable club a ton of money to move.

If they were really anti-franchise they'd start supporting spurs, because as we all know Arsenal moved to North London from South London (Norwich - ipswich??!). Supporting spurs would be sweet justice. :clap:

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
You lot really don't understand do you. MILTON KEYNES IS NOT IN WIMBLEDON. NORWICH PLAY IN NORWICH!!! GEDDIT. ANd Celtic play in Glasgow like they always have done. Would you go and support Norwich if they moved to Ipswich....I think not. We didn't want opposing fans to go to Selhurst so they werent lining Koppells pockets. Anyway all the teams who took a large away following (Norwich \Poertsmouth etc lost) By the way we did help Brighton and we have raised money for York City recently. We are also trying to help one of your fellow CCL clubs Viking Greenford from going out of existence. Thank you.

What have YOU ever done for other clubs in trouble.

PUT UP OR SHUT UP!!!

You're a rude, agressive and judgemental chap, aren't you?

You swapped teams, and if you can't understand why so many people don't understand that, and if you can't understand why people are getting **** off with you telling them they're not real fans, then that's your problem.

Personally, I'm starting to hope the real wimbledon go on to be a huge success in MK, and the team so many abandoned them for flail about, and eventually go bust, if you're indicative of what a "real" football fan is.

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
We are still supporting OUR club. AFC Wimbledon are our club. On May28th 2002 OUR players was taken away from us by a 3 man FA commission. One thing you ALL seen to forget here is a football CLUB is it's SUPPORTERS. Players, chairman, staff all come and go. The only constant is the FANS. Pratically ALL Wimbledon fans follow AFC Wimbledon, so we haven't deserted OUR club...are players and owner shafted US, so we had the balls to stand up to them and the football authorites and keep OUR club going. Our heroes Lawrie Sanchez, Dave Beasant, Dickie Guy, Jason Euell, Chris Perry, Neal Ardley etc have all been to see us (AFCW) and agree that WE are the real WImbledon not that bumbling excuse that's going into Administration

It doesn't matter how hard you try to convince youraself, you now support a new club. If Man Utd moved to Essex, Man Utd fans would still follow them (cue jokes about how it's a shorter journey).

Sorry, but real fans stick with their clubs through thick and thin. They don't pick a new team and then pretend it was the same one.

[IanJHicks]

You lot have completely missed the point....so I won't even bother anymore.....it's like talking to a ......... (deleted because of T&Cs) :gag:

P.S NezB hope Norwich get relegated next season :wave:

[The 3 little pigs]

Originally posted by andybhoy
If Man Utd moved to Essex, Man Utd fans would still follow them (cue jokes about how it's a shorter journey).


I wouldn't, because they would be nothing to do with Manchester anymore.

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
You lot have completely missed the point....so I won't even bother anymore.....it's like talking to a ......... (deleted because of T&Cs) :gag:

P.S NezB hope Norwich get relegated next season :wave:

I think it's you who missed the point. Now I'm convinced, I hope AFC eventually go bust :thumbs:

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by The 3 little pigs
I wouldn't, because they would be nothing to do with Manchester anymore.

Is that irony, deadpan or serious?

[IanJHicks]

nezB, there is more chance of Man Utd going bust than us....we are so totally solvent you wouldn't believe...so long farm boy...don't drive to fast in the combine harvester now :wave:

[IanJHicks]

3 little pigs...i do hope you were being serious

[IanJHicks]

3 little pigs...i do hope you were being serious

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
nezB, there is more chance of Man Utd going bust than us....we are so totally solvent you wouldn't believe...so long farm boy...don't drive to fast in the combine harvester now :wave:

You do realise you're talking to me, and not nezb? (despite your bigoted remarks to nezb, I find that hilarious).

Good luck to the REAL Wimbledon in Div1 next season! Especially for their fans, sticking with them despite the hard times :thumbs:

[NezB]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
P.S NezB hope Norwich get relegated next season :wave:

Cheers mate, Now thats another teams results for you to watch out for all season. ;)

Originally posted by IanJHicks

nezB, there is more chance of Man Utd going bust than us....we are so totally solvent you wouldn't believe...so long farm boy...don't drive to fast in the combine harvester now

Man Utd going bust I don't think thats very likely, taking all their assets into account do you? Anyway I'm a bit confused here, have you started on the joy juice early or you having problems reading with your head so far up your own arse? I haven't and to be quite frank wouldn't wish that any team to go out of business, no matter how much any fan annoyed because for every annoying little sod there will be a lot decent supporters as well.

Oh my god there are a lot of farms in East Anglia, I must be a farmer! By that that logic and assuming you live in Wimbledon you must be a strawberry loving Womble :nuts:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/neil.walker10/tractor.gif

We gonna drive our tractors over you!

[The 3 little pigs]

Originally posted by andybhoy
Is that irony, deadpan or serious?

Totally serious - Why should I travel 200 miles to see my 'local' club just because someone at the club reckons they can get a few extra quid out of fans elsewhere in the country? I would fight tooth and nail to prevent it happening, but if it ever did I wouldn't watch them or support them because it would not be Manchester United anymore.

[IanJHicks]

Thanks 3 little pigs...someone on here talking sense, which is what I was trying to say.

Andybhoy I'm sure the three fans who are left appreciate your comments.

NezB ...yep I love strawberries and cream and picking up litter!!! Now bet back to your carrots

Mob...MezB insinuated that i am an annoying little sod...WARN HIM, WARN HIM!!!!:nono: :)

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by The 3 little pigs
Totally serious - Why should I travel 200 miles to see my 'local' club just because someone at the club reckons they can get a few extra quid out of fans elsewhere in the country? I would fight tooth and nail to prevent it happening, but if it ever did I wouldn't watch them or support them because it would not be Manchester United anymore.

I'll never be able to understand that, if I lived to be 100. What would you do if you had to move? Maybe to another country?

I'm not after an argument (ian only got one because of his rudeness), but I don't get it. Geography is only 1 (admittedly large) part of it. I just couldn't switch off my love of a club.

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks

Andybhoy I'm sure the three fans who are left appreciate your comments.



I'm sure they would, given that they're "real" fans.

[camaj]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
nezB, there is more chance of Man Utd going bust than us....we are so totally solvent you wouldn't believe

:lol: I'm sure you've got some money but that's just stupid. Unless ManU get really stupid they'll be around for a long time.

I don't think IJH CAN explain what we're supposed to be missing.

If ManU move it won't be becuase they reckon they can get "a few extra quid". They seem to be doing very nicely where they are and the essex boys don't seem to have trouble coughing up either

[IanJHicks]

No andybhoy...why are all retards :nuts:

[andybhoy]

Originally posted by IanJHicks
No andybhoy...why are all retards :nuts:

:oh-hum:

[Alan. b]

I can't see that this is ever going to get back on topic and seeing as some of you just want to hurl insults at each other this one is getting locked.

Closing