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Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan holds the key to whether Wimbledon FC will be allowed to play in the Football League next season.
Their fate lies in the hands of a rival chairman after the hockey authorities pulled the plug on their plans to kick off 2003-04 in Milton Keynes.
Wimbledon FC issued a statement last Friday claiming they would be at Selhurst Park, which they have shared since 1991, next season.
But after hearing that chairman Charles Koppel had approached other clubs about possible groundshares, the Football League wrote to Wimbledon FC asking for clarification of where they intend to play.
Spokesman Ian Christen said: “They have permission to play in Milton Keynes and Selhurst Park and nowhere else. We hope the matter will be resolved sooner rather than later.” The proposed move to the National Hockey Stadium broke down after the club went into administration.
That led to the club’s statement that they intended to fulfil their fixtures at Selhurst Park.
It was followed by counter-claims from Palace, whose chief executive Phil Alexander said: “We have had no contact whatsoever with representatives from either Wimbledon Football Club or their administrators.
“As far as Crystal Palace Football Club is concerned Wimbledon FC will not be playing at Selhurst Park.
“We have arranged for our reserves to play here for the new season and there will be some fixtures that will clash if Wimbledon want to play here.” Trevor Phillips, spokesman for Wimbledon FC’s administrators Grant Thornton, yesterday told the News: “We stand by the statement we released and we are looking to start the season at Selhurst Park.
“I am not sure why Crystal Palace made their statement because everything is going to plan at the moment.” Mr Jordan has still to make a public comment on whether Wimbledon FC will be allowed to share Selhurst Park next season.
He was away in Spain when the News tried to contact him yesterday, but Palace insiders say he is aware of the declarations coming from the Wimbledon FC camp.
Jordan is facing inside pressures to reject his former tenants’ approaches.
Palace manager Steve Kember this week spoke of the benefits of no longer sharing their pitch.
“Assuming Wimbledon don’t come back, the reserves will play eight or nine home games there, but it means the pitch won’t get too much wear and tear,” he said.
“We will be looking for a good quick surface to play on. Hopefully it will be a lot better all season.” Wimbledon manager Stewart Murdoch said: “After the Wimbledon News slaughtered us last season and didn’t want to talk to us, I don’t see why I should talk to you now.”
Their fate lies in the hands of a rival chairman after the hockey authorities pulled the plug on their plans to kick off 2003-04 in Milton Keynes.
Wimbledon FC issued a statement last Friday claiming they would be at Selhurst Park, which they have shared since 1991, next season.
But after hearing that chairman Charles Koppel had approached other clubs about possible groundshares, the Football League wrote to Wimbledon FC asking for clarification of where they intend to play.
Spokesman Ian Christen said: “They have permission to play in Milton Keynes and Selhurst Park and nowhere else. We hope the matter will be resolved sooner rather than later.” The proposed move to the National Hockey Stadium broke down after the club went into administration.
That led to the club’s statement that they intended to fulfil their fixtures at Selhurst Park.
It was followed by counter-claims from Palace, whose chief executive Phil Alexander said: “We have had no contact whatsoever with representatives from either Wimbledon Football Club or their administrators.
“As far as Crystal Palace Football Club is concerned Wimbledon FC will not be playing at Selhurst Park.
“We have arranged for our reserves to play here for the new season and there will be some fixtures that will clash if Wimbledon want to play here.” Trevor Phillips, spokesman for Wimbledon FC’s administrators Grant Thornton, yesterday told the News: “We stand by the statement we released and we are looking to start the season at Selhurst Park.
“I am not sure why Crystal Palace made their statement because everything is going to plan at the moment.” Mr Jordan has still to make a public comment on whether Wimbledon FC will be allowed to share Selhurst Park next season.
He was away in Spain when the News tried to contact him yesterday, but Palace insiders say he is aware of the declarations coming from the Wimbledon FC camp.
Jordan is facing inside pressures to reject his former tenants’ approaches.
Palace manager Steve Kember this week spoke of the benefits of no longer sharing their pitch.
“Assuming Wimbledon don’t come back, the reserves will play eight or nine home games there, but it means the pitch won’t get too much wear and tear,” he said.
“We will be looking for a good quick surface to play on. Hopefully it will be a lot better all season.” Wimbledon manager Stewart Murdoch said: “After the Wimbledon News slaughtered us last season and didn’t want to talk to us, I don’t see why I should talk to you now.”