The Dons Trust, owners of English soccer club AFC Wimbledon, has announced that the sale of the team’s Kingsmeadow stadium to Premier League club Chelsea FC. The sale is an important part of the club’s plan to return to Plough Lane in Wimbledon, southwest London – site of the original home ground for Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon’s ‘spiritual home,’ according to representatives of the club.
The sale of the stadium to Chelsea will generate funds vital to the new stadium project. “This is a major milestone for us,” says Erik Samuelson, chief executive of AFC Wimbledon, in a club statement. “The proceeds of this deal are an essential part of the financing of the new stadium. The vision of a return to Merton, with all the community benefits it also brings, is now becoming very real.”
Chelsea will use the 4,800-seat Kingsmeadow for the club’s academy sides, as well as for matches played by the club’s ladies team.
June 09, 2016