Ks: New home is best option if Dons sell

Kingstonian believe an eventual move away from Kingsmeadow could be the Ryman Premier club's best long term option after the New Year's news that the ground could be sold if AFC Wimbledon move to a new home in Merton.

Kingstonian moved into Kingsmeadow in 1989 and have known since 2003 that the ground could be sold one day by their former tenants who purchased the lease from controversial former chairman Rajesh Khosla a year after moving in.

In the build up to AFC Wimbledon’s FA Cup Third Round clash against Liverpool at Kingsmeadow on Monday night, Chelsea confirmed that talks had been held to use the 4,800 capacity ground, officially known as the Cherry Red Records Stadium, as a future venue for their youth and women’s teams if the Dons' bid to move back to their spiritual home in Plough Lane is successful.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "I can confirm Chelsea FC is in preliminary discussions with AFC Wimbledon regarding taking control of the Kingsmeadow Stadium in order to play our academy and women's matches there, should AFC Wimbledon proceed with its intended move to Plough Lane."

In response to the media reports and a statement from The Dons Trust, owners of AFC Wimbledon, Kingstonian's co-chairman Malcolm Winwright released a statement on behalf of the club's board outlining their reaction and plans which were already on-going, before promising to keep supporters as fully informed as possible.

The statement read: "Following recent press coverage relating to a possible sale of Kingsmeadow, the Board of Kingstonian FC would like to make our position clear.

"We are, of course, aware of the recent announcement by AFC Wimbledon Trust that they have submitted their planning application to Merton Borough Council, and of the club’s need to eventually sell Kingsmeadow to help finance their proposed new stadium in Plough Lane.

"If AFC Wimbledon are successful with planning they would vacate Kingsmeadow in the next 2-3 years. The AFC Wimbledon Trust have kept us informed of their progress at all times and our board have therefore been able to assess the effect the Dons’ departure from Kingsmeadow could have on Ks, particularly if the eventual purchaser of the ground is not able to facilitate our club continuing to play at the stadium.

"The Ks’ Board has always understood this could happen one day, given that we are not in a position to buy Kingsmeadow. Our continuous dialogue with the AFC Wimbledon Trust has reached a point where, because of their culture and previous experiences, they fully understand our position and have expressed their desire to give us (as always) as much moral, practical and financial assistance as possible.

"After much long and careful thought Ks Board have come to the conclusion that the best long-term interests of our club would be served by us taking this opportunity to leave Kingsmeadow, at the appropriate time, and finding a stadium better suited to our needs, income and level of support.

"It is important for all to know that our search for a new facility is well underway and progress has been made. Otherwise the process could be lengthy and frustrating as clubs such as Horsham and Cray have discovered. The identity of possible new locations for Ks must remain confidential as speculation would inevitably undermine this process.

"Naturally we all expect to receive significant support from Kingston Council and our local MP. The board, of course, fully understands that some supporters will be reluctant to move from Kingsmeadow but the facts before us are that a 5,000 capacity stadium, that is expensive to maintain, and where, in future, we would be subject to rent, is simply not a practical option for us to consider, even if the stadium continued to be available for us to use.

"Naturally, it is our intention to keep everyone as fully informed as possible. With that in mind we shall be arranging an open meeting for all fans and the Board when we have something more tangible to discuss."

In separate statement, AFC Wimbledon said: "The Dons Trust, owners of AFC Wimbledon, can confirm that the Club has been in discussions with a number of organisations, including Chelsea Football Club, over the future of Kingsmeadow, should our club's proposal to move to a new stadium in Wimbledon be approved by Merton Council.

"These discussions are confidential and each proposal is being thoroughly evaluated to ensure it provides the best outcome for the area and the club. Kingston Borough Council and Kingstonian FC, of course, have been briefed about the discussions. Any change of ownership of Kingsmeadow is a Restricted Action which requires approval by the membership of The Dons Trust before it can be completed.

"In the event that The Dons Trust Board believes that acceptable terms have been negotiated, then these will be presented to the membership for their consideration. Until then we cannot not comment any further."

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