The English fourth division soccer team AFC Wimbledon has asked that a fundraising campaign for the club be stopped. The club justified the move by saying that the goal set had been exceeded many times over. Instead of the announced 10,000 pounds (approx. 12,000 euros), the crowdfunding campaign reached 100,000 pounds (approx. 120,000 euros) within a few days. “We will be forever grateful,” the AFC said on its website.
The AFC had to close the stadium due to a sinkhole on the football pitch caused by heavy rain and flooding in Wimbledon. A League Cup game against Premier League club Newcastle United was therefore moved to Newcastle. Wimbledon fan Graham Stacey, who was also a member of the board for several years, then initiated the fundraising campaign to cover the repair costs.
AFC Wimbledon asks for an end to the fundraising campaign Photo: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire/dpa
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AFC would like to thank fans from all over the world
AFC Wimbledon would now like to thank the fans from all over the world who took part in the campaign and especially Stacey. “After examining the issue throughout the week with a number of experts and our insurers, we have asked Graham to pause his fundraising efforts for the time being,” club officials wrote.
“Although the investigation and a plan to repair the damage are still in progress and there remain many uncertainties, we hope that the funds raised by Graham’s campaign will at least cover our significant out-of-pocket costs and help with the inevitable ongoing costs.” Should the situation arise If the situation becomes critical, the fans will be informed, it said. Several hours after the announcement, the crowdfunding page was still active.
AFC Wimbledon is a specialty in English football. The club was founded by fans in 2002 as a successor to Wimbledon FC after it moved to Milton Keynes and was renamed MK Dons. The AFC is owned by a fan-founded non-profit organization in which every member has the right to vote.
