AFC Wimbledon reveal which club they will be temporarily groundsharing with next season whilst work on their new ground finishes.
The Wombles are set to move into a new stadium at Plough Lane, but construction is not due to be completed on the site until the 25th of October.
Because of this, it means that the League One club have no choice but to play their opening league and cup games at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
They had been playing games at Kingstonian’s former home Kingsmeadow, since AFC Wimbledon’s inception in 2002, but agreed to sell the ground in Kingston-upon-Thames to Chelsea FC four years ago.
?️ The Dons will start 2020/21 by playing home fixtures at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, home of @QPR, whilst construction continues at Plough Lane. More details: https://t.co/BOeMSdKjQx #AFCW pic.twitter.com/l8Dd1rZkSF
— AFC Wimbledon (@AFCWimbledon) August 25, 2020
CLUB STATEMENT:
AFC Wimbledon will start the season by playing home fixtures at QPR’s Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
The 18,000-seater stadium in W12 will host the club’s first league and cup matches of the 20/21 season whilst construction continues at Plough Lane. With completion still on schedule for 25 October, the club is targeting a first match at it’s new home shortly afterwards.
Our Chief Executive Joe Palmer said: “We’re very grateful to QPR for giving us the opportunity to share their ground for the start of the season and also to the EFL for their understanding during this difficult period.
“The construction works are proceeding well, but with the uncertainty of the Covid situation, we wanted to give ourselves some more breathing space to complete the works and required test events before playing our first match at Plough Lane.
“It’s going to be an incredible moment in the club’s history and we wanted to make sure that we’re further down the road than where we would have been for the start of the season, to ensure it matches the occasion.”
QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: “We have had a number of discussions with AFC Wimbledon in recent weeks regarding this option. It is an agreement which works for both parties. From their point of view, it gives them a fantastic playing surface to use while they finalise their move back to Plough Lane. We look forward to hosting AFC Wimbledon and wish them every success in the coming campaign.”
Unfortunately, it is still not clear when fans will be able to attend matches and both clubs will start the season almost certainly behind closed doors. The deal with QPR does permit for limited capacity crowds if allowed.
?️ #QPR will temporarily groundshare with AFC Wimbledon at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium for the start of the 2020/21 season.
Full details ?
— QPR FC (@QPR) August 25, 2020
QPR STATEMENT:
QPR will temporarily groundshare with AFC Wimbledon at Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium for the start of the 2020/21 season.
The League One Dons are close to moving in to Plough Lane. With completion still on schedule for 25th October, the club is targeting a first match at its new home shortly after.
During the interim period, they will host their first league and cup matches of the new campaign in W12.
The agreement permits for limited capacity crowds if and when such announcements are made by the Government.
QPR CEO Lee Hoos said: “We have had a number of discussions with AFC Wimbledon in recent weeks regarding this option.
“It is an agreement which works for both parties. From their point of view, it gives them a fantastic playing surface to use while they finalise their move back to Plough Lane.
“From our perspective, it provides an additional revenue stream at a time when football is facing unprecedented challenges to its finances.
“We look forward to hosting AFC Wimbledon and wish them every success in the coming campaign.”
Joe Palmer, CEO of AFC Wimbledon said: “We’re very grateful to QPR for giving us the opportunity to share their ground for the start of the season and also to the EFL for their understanding during this difficult period.
“The construction works are proceeding well, but with the uncertainty of the Covid situation, we wanted to give ourselves some more breathing space to complete the works and required test events before playing our first match at Plough Lane.
“It’s going to be an incredible moment in the club’s history and we wanted to make sure that we’re further down the road than where we would have been for the start of the season, to ensure it matches the occasion.”
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After AFC Wimbledon reveal which club they will be groundsharing with next season, fans reacted…
From a Fulham fan that’s a complete insult lol need paper clappers to raise atmosphere there lol
— Stuart angell (@Slapheadstu71) August 25, 2020
I like your club. Have no problem with it. Make yourselves at home ?
— Joe (@RANGERSBOY1998) August 25, 2020
Happy to help. Good luck in League One. Brilliant that you will return to Plough Lane
— Carsten Kjær (@KjaerTravel) August 25, 2020
Remember for those with spouses who like a bit of shopping to phrase it like this: “Did you hear Wimbledon will be playing at Westfield for the first part of next season?”
— mike overill (@mike_overill) August 25, 2020
Don’t forget the Goldstone Ground!
— Arash Rezai (@rezla) August 25, 2020
dont ruin the pitch plz
— Cole (@CassiusDyer) August 25, 2020
Via Clapham Junction platform 2. ??? ??
— Laurence (@LaurenceCombyne) August 25, 2020
Yeah and i can see more clubs doing this in the near future if things carry on the way they are!!! Sensible
— Daniel Rodriguez (@daniboyqpr) August 25, 2020
Remember when we played MK Dons at home and some AFC Wimbledon sat near us in B block. Quality fans #realdons ?
— Evo (@Evodog) August 25, 2020
Imagine we are the away team… ?
— Flag Designs (@flag_designs) August 25, 2020
If im allowed to attend I hope so!
— Haydon the Womble (@HaydontheWomble) August 25, 2020
Another revenue stream, good stuff! Make yourself at home @AFCWimbledon
— Martin Griffin (@MartinGriffin4) August 25, 2020
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