Manager appreciates donations to the playing budget
Neal Ardley has revealed that there’s still some way to go in his summer overhaul of the AFC Wimbledon squad, but generous donations from fans will make a big difference to his plans.
Lifelong fan Mike Richardson pledged to match every new £1 donation made by fans during June towards the playing budget and the Wimbledon manager has so far brought in five new players.
Speaking to Dons Player, Neal Ardley said: “There’s still a way to go because we want to bring probably another four in. This includes a young player because we’ve scouted a few that we want to take a look at in pre-season. The other three will be strong first-team players. Putting these players together is one thing, but getting them to fit and win games is another and that’s something we need to work on in pre-season.
“When I spoke to fans involved with the We Are Wimbledon Fund at the end of last season I explained that with every deal I tried to strike it was guaranteed that a player or agent would ask for an extra £50 or £100. It certainly all adds up.
“Last season I spent large periods trying to save on some positions so that I’d be able to put money into other areas that I thought were key for us. Sometimes the team and the squad can suffer from that. This season if we can get the really important positions right and keep the other areas strong then hopefully that consistency will come. Sometimes this costs a little bit more money to go with all the hard work that our scouts and recruitment team do.”
Neal has so far brought in five new arrivals with Sean Rigg, Dannie Bulman, Matt Tubbs (pictured with Neal above), Adebayo Akinfenwa and Mark Phillips having bolstered the Wimbledon squad for 2014/15.
or by sending a one-off donation to the club.We Are Wimbledon FundFurther contributions to the playing budget can either be made by signing up to the
One-off donations can be made by bank transfer (sort code 089250 and account number 7060 6719) or make out a cheque to 'AFC Wimbledon' at the following address:
AFC Wimbledon
The Cherry Red Records Stadium
Jack Goodchild Way
422a Kingston Road
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 3PB