Wimbledon chairman defends his actions

Koppel
By Paul Holmes
August 13 2002

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel has defended his controversial decision to move the club to Milton Keynes.

The decision shocked the football world and angered Wimbledon and football fans alike. Fans of Wimbledon set up their own club, AFC Wimbledon, and boycotted Wimbledon games, Saturdays' home game against Gillingham attracted just over 500 home supporters whilst thousands were outside protesting against the move.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live Koppel defended his actions and claimed he tried to keep the club in London. "If we'd carried on as we were the club would have closed in the summer.

"Administration was not an option, the club have to pay their way going forward.

"We have done everything we could in Merton to stay there.

"We contacted 35 councils in London to see if they would support us by letting us move to their locality but every single one said 'no'."

Since the proposed move was announced Koppel has been subjected to personal abuse and has been branded a 'club killer'.