Kingstonian FC is a special part of the borough’s heritage and must be protected, Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis has argued.
Last week Kingstonian fans continued their campaign to keep the club playing at their current stadium, Kingsmeadow, by launching a petition on the council website.
This follows reports fellow tenants AFC Wimbledon, who own the leasehold to the ground but are looking to sell as they target a move back to Plough Lane in Wimbledon, are allegedly close to securing a deal for Chelsea to buy the stadium so their ladies side can play there.
The petition called on the council to uphold a 1989 covenant which would ensure the future of Kingstonian is protected.
Councillor Davis explained the council owns the freehold for Kingsmeadow and that it isn’t for sale.
He said: “AFC Wimbledon are the leaseholders and could, if they wanted, decide to effectively sell that leasehold.
“The current lease between the Council and AFC Wimbledon allows (but does not require) AFC to sub-let, which they do in the form of a ground-sharing agreement with Kingstonian FC.
“As far as I’m aware there is no covenant in the title to the land or in the lease between Kingston Council and AFC that obliges any party to provide accommodation to Kingstonian FC.”
Despite their being no legally-binding obligation, Councillor Davis assured fans he was determined to ensure the team has a future in Kingston.
He said: “I for one am committed to doing whatever I can to ensure Kingstonian has a future in the borough.
“As our borough grows and changes, we must protect our heritage and the things that make this area special. Kingstonian FC certainly falls into that category.”
He has met with Kingstonian representatives to offer support in either negotiation a ground-sharing agreement with new leaseholders or in trying to identify suitable locations for a new ground to be built.
Picture courtesy of Grammaticus Bramlington, with thanks
