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Leyton Orient Fans' Trust
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Fans condemn Wimbledon move
8/6/2003

Fans of many clubs and organisations have protested against the decision by an independent commission to allow Wimbledon FC to move to Milton Keynes.

The move was originally blocked by the Football League, but Charles Koppel, chairman of Wimbledon, won an appeal to have the matter reconsidered. The FA have defended the decision as a "one-off", citing "exceptional circumstances" and stating that "This is not the beginning of a franchise system".


The Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association and the Dons Trust were quick to condemn the decision, arguing that a Milton-Keynes based football club will not represent the 113-year history of the club, and that England's pyramid system will be "irreversably damaged" by the decision. WISA Chair Kris Stewart said, "Wimbledon supporters have no interest in following the stolen shell of a football club in Milton Keynes" and Dons Trust Chair Lou Carton-Kelly added, "The heart and soul of Wimbledon FC is its supporters. Without the supporters, there is no club."


These sentiments have been echoed by the National Federation of Football Supporters Clubs and the Football Supporters Association. In a joint Press Release, the organisations have expressed their concern that "Despite the FA's reservation that this decision cannot be seen as setting a precedent, it seems inevitable that others will see it as an opportunity to develop similiar plans and supportive arguments."

LOFT has joined in with fans from many other clubs in expressing its disapproval of the move, and we have sent emails to the FA protesting at the decision. We will keep our members posted about the the situation. We wish the supporters of Wimbledon luck in their fight.

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