So, to be clear, it's OK for a football club (Kingstonian) or a Greyhound venue to be kicked out and have to go elsewhere when the gates drop and they become financially stretched?
I made my feelings about greyhound tracks known above, but putting that to one side you can't say that a track that's been around for ~15 years has the same social standing or punters' support as a football club.
15 years?!
Weren't you the guy who said on another thread that he would do a bit more research before spouting crap in future? How's that going for you?
Not well apparently!!!!!!
Apologies I thought that the dog track took over when Wimbledon moved out. I was wrong, again, my geography of niche London sporting grounds is poor.
Fair play mate, that's a good response. The dog track is just down the road from where the football ground was - and the ground is long gone.
There aren't many tracks left in London now, in fact I think Wimbledon is the only one left with an actual London postcode. Only other two I can think of are Romford and Crayford.
Understood, and appreciate the explanation. As I've said I wouldn't be sad to see a dog track go on principle having been raised around rescued greyhounds (there used to be a track very near to where I grew up). But I'm also not someone who thinks that because I object to something it should be banned for everyone.
It feels like this boils down to no matter what happens, someone is going to be put out, which is a really unfortunate situation.
Personally hope the move is vetoed, but it won't be.
I don't want to see a greyhound stadium - London's last - that has been there for nearly 90 years replaced by another shitty, soul-less football ground that will actually be used less frequently than the dog track (even now, when it only has one card a week).
Although you have to laugh at the councillors comments
"We look forward to the homecoming of this much-loved and well-deserving team," "Merton wants to see AFC Wimbledon back on Wimbledon turf. We will now be working with the applicant towards the delivery of the site."
The fact that AFC Wimbledon have never played "on Wimbledon turf" before and therefore there is no "homecoming" seems completely lost on him.
A crying shame in my view that it means the only "London" dog track left will go. But they don't seem to have any friends in the media to shout their case as loudly as those who support the "romantic" notion of Wimbledon "returning home".
Delighted for them. Have a lot of family down that way, who have been supporting them for many years. Thanks to @Womble for coming on and putting a few people straight on the background to what has happened with Kingstonian. The fact is, they would have collapsed some time back without the assistance they've been getting from Wimbledon.
As fans, Wimbledon were abandoned by their previous owner and the Football Association. Whilst we had a foolish, ill-advised owner and the trip to Selhurst was a pain, what happened to Wimbledon was a level more than our experience, which took a monumental effort in itself. Wimbledon fans actually split, instead of staying together to fight the move. I think this makes it all the more impressive that those who fought on are now on the brink of getting back to their own patch.
It may not be the old Plough Lane ground, but it's close enough.
Comments
As for Wimbledon good luck to them. Their rivals (well sort of) Sutton will be going up this season having beaten the fleet on the weekend.
It feels like this boils down to no matter what happens, someone is going to be put out, which is a really unfortunate situation.
I don't want to see a greyhound stadium - London's last - that has been there for nearly 90 years replaced by another shitty, soul-less football ground that will actually be used less frequently than the dog track (even now, when it only has one card a week).
No support from me whatsoever.
Very good piece in The Guardian on the track and history of dog racing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37155008
Although you have to laugh at the councillors comments
"We look forward to the homecoming of this much-loved and well-deserving team,"
"Merton wants to see AFC Wimbledon back on Wimbledon turf. We will now be working with the applicant towards the delivery of the site."
The fact that AFC Wimbledon have never played "on Wimbledon turf" before and therefore there is no "homecoming" seems completely lost on him.
A crying shame in my view that it means the only "London" dog track left will go. But they don't seem to have any friends in the media to shout their case as loudly as those who support the "romantic" notion of Wimbledon "returning home".
As fans, Wimbledon were abandoned by their previous owner and the Football Association. Whilst we had a foolish, ill-advised owner and the trip to Selhurst was a pain, what happened to Wimbledon was a level more than our experience, which took a monumental effort in itself. Wimbledon fans actually split, instead of staying together to fight the move. I think this makes it all the more impressive that those who fought on are now on the brink of getting back to their own patch.
It may not be the old Plough Lane ground, but it's close enough.