Dons Trust 50.01 Governance Helpline
A Transcript
The following is a transcript of a call received by the Dons Trust Governance Helpline (DTGH) following the 50.01% vote announcement.
This call was recorded for training and monitoring purposes. It has also been obtained by WombleWorld through sources we are not at liberty to disclose, though we will note that rumours about the source are already circulating on X and are somewhat partially accurate.
The helpline operative’s name has been withheld. The caller’s name has been withheld. The caller’s concerns have not been withheld. The caller has a lot of concerns.
OPERATIVE: Dons Trust Governance Helpline, you’re through to Wesley, how can I help?
CALLER: Yes. Hi. I’ve heard some things.
OPERATIVE: Okay. What have you heard?
CALLER: We’re going bust. Like Bury.
OPERATIVE: [pause] Where did you hear we were going bust?
CALLER: Discord.
OPERATIVE: Right.
CALLER: And someone on WUP said a friend of a friend had heard something on a podcast.
OPERATIVE: I see.
CALLER: He seemed very sure.
OPERATIVE: That’s not where we are. The Boards have set out the financial position clearly. Yes we have an operating loss of around two million a year before player sales, with cashflow pressure building over the next eighteen months without significant player trading income. That’s real.
The 50.01% vote is a response to that. It’s not a sign of imminent collapse.
CALLER: So we might go bust.
OPERATIVE: The vote exists precisely to improve that outlook. That is the point of it.
CALLER: Right. Okay. I’ve also heard that if this passes, the DTB won’t be able to appoint and remove directors on their own any more.
OPERATIVE: Partially true. The DT Board retains day-to-day governance authority. Major ownership decisions still require member approval at the thresholds laid out in the constitution. The Dons Trust still have a single blocking vote if needed.
Which is, if we’re being precise about it, the entire founding principle of the Dons Trust.
CALLER: So they can’t just get rid of people.
OPERATIVE: Not unilaterally. No.
CALLER: Is that bad?
OPERATIVE: We would suggest that is probably fine.
CALLER: I’ve also heard it means they’ll have to cut the working groups.
OPERATIVE: [pause] Where did you hear that?
CALLER: Facebook.
OPERATIVE: The working groups are not mentioned anywhere in the resolutions paper, the prospectus, the proposed constitution, or Schedule 1.
CALLER: Someone said the new constitution streamlines things.
OPERATIVE: It simplifies the governance structure. That is generally considered a positive development.
CALLER: But what about the working groups.
OPERATIVE: The working groups will be fine.
CALLER: There’s a really good communications working group, it’s my favourite of all the working groups. Will that stay?
OPERATIVE: Yes, I’m sure it will. Is there anything else?
CALLER: Yes, the 2002 thing.
OPERATIVE: Go on.
CALLER: My dad helped build this club. Combined Counties. Ryman League. He was at Kingsmeadow when it all kicked off. He gave money he didn’t really have and time he definitely didn’t have. All of it was so no one could ever do to us what happened at Wimbledon FC. That’s why 75% matters. It’s not just a number. It’s the whole point. It was decided for a reason.
OPERATIVE: Yes.
CALLER: So if we change it, what was any of it for?
OPERATIVE: The club he helped build is still here. Still ours. Back at Plough Lane where we belong. The name, the colours, the ground - all still protected under the Restricted Actions Schedule at the same thresholds. Still safe.
What’s moving is the investment floor, and only to 50.01%, with a block vote that functions as a practical veto.
CALLER: It doesn’t feel the same.
OPERATIVE: No. It doesn’t. That’s honest. But the fan food park will still be there. The atmosphere. The community. The Fans. Plus we’ll always have MyPie.
CALLER: We don’t have MyPie any more.
OPERATIVE: I’m sorry?
CALLER: Catering contract changed. MyPie went ages ago.
OPERATIVE: [long pause]
OPERATIVE: Right. Yes. I knew that.
OPERATIVE: [longer pause]
OPERATIVE: [quietly] I miss MyPie.
CALLER: The mash was good.
OPERATIVE: And the gravy.
CALLER: Yeah.
OPERATIVE: [pause] Right. Where were we.
CALLER: 2002.
OPERATIVE: Yes. Look, the protest, the volunteers, the wet Tuesdays in the Combined Counties - it worked. It worked so well we got to League One and hopefully we’ll stay there. And League One has costs that Combined Counties didn’t. Your dad doesn’t have to like this vote. He just needs to read the documents and decide.
CALLER: He’s not great with email.
OPERATIVE: The vote can be cast in person during the meeting. He can even hear live discussion if he wants. SGM One is Monday 23rd March, 7pm, 1889 Lounge at Plough Lane.
CALLER: He might come to that actually.
OPERATIVE: Good. We’d like him there.
CALLER: [pause] Are we definitely not going bust?
OPERATIVE: We’re doing everything we can to make sure we don’t.
CALLER: Okay. That’s something.
OPERATIVE: It is. Is there anything else?
CALLER: No. I think that’s it. Sorry for getting anxious. I’d heard all the rumours and….
OPERATIVE: Don’t be. That’s what the helpline is for. And don’t forget to subscribe to WombleWorld on Substack.
The full WombleWorld guide to the 50.01% vote - including what the documents actually says, the option in plain English, and a brief taxonomy of people who are wrong about this for entirely different reasons - is coming soon. In plenty of time for you to read before the 23rd March.
WombleWorld
Wesley remains available on the helpline. He has read Schedule 1. He found it calming. He recommends it. He cannot, however, recommend the current catering arrangements as there are no options that include mash.