Well its deffo easier to get to than Trailfinders if you like being in the middle of a housing estate. No area for training that i can see so would doubt the wisdom of moving there sadly as would be good for me. However, as we all know wisdom isn't always synonymous with Broncos. There are so many clubs haunted by the apparition called Gus we should set up a support group.

And there is a huge unused plot of land at the back of my house called Hounslow Heath....lets stick a few posts up there and give that a bash eh!!!!

Dont be mean Steve just cos you dont want to travel.

https://mobile.twitter.com/johnnyddavid ... 9079946240

https://mobile.twitter.com/johnnyddavid ... 9079946240

Ground Share Temperature Test  

 

 

 

Plough Lane sporting usage: have your say.

As Plough Lane nears completion, AFC Wimbledon CEO Joe Palmer sets out some opportunities and now the Dons Trust want your views.

“Through the build process, the club have been approached by several sporting teams about the potential to use Plough Lane as a stadium on a ground share arrangement. We have always kept an open dialogue with these clubs, while making it clear that we would require agreement from the Dons Trust membership to proceed with any proposal.

“We have now reached a point in discussions where we want to ask for your thoughts. 

“We have an offer on the table from the London Broncos Rugby League team which, from a purely financial point of view, would mean increased long-term financial security for us and the ability to service our debt whilst also supporting the playing squad budget. 

“I’m conscious we keep asking our fans to support the club financially – and am always immensely grateful for the support you offer – but our longer-term aim as a club has to be to become more self-sustaining. As such we are looking to maximise revenue in and around the stadium, and this will undoubtedly help significantly.

“I also realise however that for nearly 30 years our fans have been waiting for our own stadium in Merton that would be home to us, and us alone. Our stadium displaying our history and our branding is important to all of us.

“It is therefore important to us to gauge your views, and we are conducting a simple ‘temperature test’ to guide us before we proceed or reject the offer.”

Given the speed at which this potential deal is evolving, we cannot currently guarantee that it will be put to a formal vote, so The Dons Trust are conducting a temperature test survey. The club have prepared a short Q&A below. 

Q: How much is the potential deal worth to the club?

A: We cannot give exact figures but the increased profit to us would greatly strengthen the financial position of the club, enable us to meet bond repayments easier and put us in a better position when seeking to refinance the bridging loan.

Q: How long would the deal be for?

A: The current contract on the table would be for ten years with a break clause earlier on in the term for either party.

Q: I thought other sports were not allowed to be played at Plough Lane?

A: The club and Trust have always taken the view that we wanted the stadium to have the potential for multi-use and as a result the stadium has been future proofed for hosting additional sports like rugby. Some sports will require additional planning changes and regardless of whether this specific deal is agreed, we would be looking to undertake a planning permission change so at the very least we could host one-off events.

Q: When would the London Broncos look to start at Plough Lane?

A: They would look to start playing at Plough Lane in time for the 21/22 season. The rugby league season runs mainly throughout the summer and the 21/22 season is due to run from March until October.

Q: I’m worried about our beautiful pitch being destroyed and would hate to see rugby markings on it…

A: While there will undoubtedly be more demands on the pitch, we have spoken to our head groundsman who assures us that as a hybrid pitch, it will be more than capable of standing up to extra rugby league games. Rugby league pitches take a lot less damage than rugby union pitches. With regards to the visible line markings, there are modern solutions that now mean any rugby markings will be temporary and not visible during our home games.

Q: What impact would this have on other AFC Wimbledon teams such as the ladies or youth teams playing at Plough Lane?

A: Whilst we are still in discussion as how to best maximise usage of Plough Lane for all our teams, as rugby league is mainly a summer sport, we do not foresee any issues.

Q: Would we make any alterations at Plough Lane to support rugby league?

A: Not really, Plough Lane was designed to accommodate other sports. Our dressing rooms are larger than required for football and were built with future proofing for other sporting uses in mind. There may be a need to upgrade the floodlights to meet rugby league requirements.

Q: As a debenture holder, would my seat be guaranteed for London Broncos matches?

A: We are still only at a discussion stage with the London Broncos and if any kind of agreement were to be reached, debenture holders would get priority ahead of other club ticket holders for any potential opportunities (this would not guarantee your current debenture seat).

Q: I don’t want Plough Lane to be plastered in London Broncos advertising and branding... 

A: The joy of Plough Lane is that our advertising hoardings and scoreboard will be electronic and therefore can be altered on a match-by-match basis. When sharing with Chelsea Ladies at Kingsmeadow we used a series of displays where images could be swapped in and out depending on who played there. A similar system would be used at Plough Lane. There would however be some things on permanent display.

Q: Who would own Plough Lane?

A: Plough Lane would still be solely owned by AFC Wimbledon

I'm off to bed now

It probably meets the SL criteria that the RFL have set, which sadly Trailfinders doesn’t. It’s not perfect, but if it helps us towards SL then...........

If it's true, and by the looks of it, it is, it will be a ground too far for me

Well if it is wimbledon at least it would satisfy SL requirement. Just need someone to help DH out with the finances.

What’s changed in a year would be my question to that.

Not sure what you mean by whats changed in a year.

We'll have to wait and see what the club has to say on this but a couple of questions immediately spring to mind:

1. The club have spent the past 5 years telling us Ealing is the perfect location, that we are laying down roots and are in the long haul to re-build the club and the fanbase. What's changed? Why are we looking to move to a completely different part of London (and only someone not native to the city would argue Ealing/Wimbledon are the same)?

2. The club have consistently told us Trailfinders is the perfect site for us, that it can grow and develop as we grow and develop. Obviously, Plough Lane is a brand new stadium, with good facilities, etc, but why the need to change if we've been so convinced Trailfinders is right for us?

3. Is there more to this deal than another rental? A share in the facility perhaps? Will we have to relocate for 6 weeks every summer like we did in the past, and Wigan do now? What happens 10 years down the line if Wimbledon don't want us anymore?

4. Ultimately, I guess, what is there about this deal that is so overwhelming that it makes the club want to do a complete 180degree about face on everything it has said over the past 5 years?

Well certainly some of the Curry Houses of Tooting are a match of those in Bradford if they'd made that 1 of the criteria. Just hope nobody planning to drive there if we move unless you do your weekly shop in Lidl across the road.

I am not convinced Trailfinders was ever as good as first made out! long term, were we given a nod that any application would need changes, we will know tomorrow, hope we will hear more from the club soon!!!