Major push for We Are Wimbledon campaign
Neal Ardley has spoken about the importance of the We Are Wimbledon Fund - and you can do your bit to help the club progress again at tomorrow's sign-up day.
The We Are Wimbledon Fund (WAWF), set up by a group of fans in March 2013, aims to support the playing budget predominantly through monthly direct debit contributions. Neal Ardley and his coaching staff have built a very good squad pushing hard for promotion – and it’s all rather exciting as we enter the final 13 games.
With a total of £165,000 having been raised by WAWF, It’s been recognised on numerous occasions just how important it is to the club's annual budget setting and organisers stress that the playing budget needs to increase if the club wants to move up the leagues.
Xavier Wiggins said: “Wimbledon is our club and we are incredibly proud that it is not only owned and run by fans, but that the focus will always be around how it is not only successful on the pitch, but also in the wider community off of it. This, as you will appreciate, comes with its financial challenges. Everything we do is driven by us; whether it's building a new stadium, supporting our academy or women’s football team. We are all responsible for it.
“To date the fund (via direct debits) has raised a total of more than £165,000 towards the playing budget. We believe that we need to keep doing what we can, when we can, to further boost the playing budget and help to drive the on-pitch performances as high as possible.”
broadcast on our official You Tube channel, Neal Ardley talked enthusiastically about the major contribution of the funding so far.interviewDuring an
“I don’t think words can explain it,” said Neal. “If you look at the squad we’ve been able to develop over the years it’s made a massive difference. It doesn’t happen by chance. You cannot attract players like Lyle Taylor, Tom Elliott and Paul Robinson if you haven’t got a decent squad to challenge at the right end of the table because they are ambitious.
“You have also got to be able to put some sort of package together to be able to get them in the first place. The We Are Wimbledon Fund attracts these players. The next favourite player can be even better if we can help attract them.”
However, a £10 per month average will add a further £6,000 to the playing budget per year! That could make the difference when signing or keeping a player. The We Are Wimbledon Fund is aiming to attract an additional 50 direct debit sign-ups this Saturday at the Accrington game. This would bring the total number of direct debit contributors to over 300. All supporters can help as there is no minimum amount for the monthly direct debit.
.website If you are not able to make the match but want to help, fans can sign-up online by visiting the To sign-up to contribute to WAWF tomorrow, fans should bring along their bank details and sign- up at the Dons Trust Kiosk or outside the main bar at the WAWF table.
.xavier.wiggins@googlemail.comWAWF is also looking for volunteers to help out between 12.30 pm and 3.00 pm and after the game outside the ground tomorrow. Please e-mail
Don't forget to bring your bank details and encourage a friend to the We Are Wimbledon Fund sign- up day on Saturday. Follow on Twitter #wearewimbledonfund .