Enfield battle paves way for Dons fans

Town secretary Roger Reed, a former Enfield board member, said: "We feel a great deal of sadness about what has happened. I've been supporting Enfield for 24 years, some have been fans since the war. But we are virtually having to start all over again just so we can remain a local club.

"None of us have made this decision lightly. There is a huge depth of feeling, just like there is with Wimbledon at present. But when the club moved out of the area they immediately disenfranchised two important sets of supporters - the pensioners, who used to walk to the old clubhouse, and the children who used to wander down without their dads. Both sets can't do that now.

"Fans felt they had to make a stand." The split occurred when Enfield chairman Tony Lazarou sold Southbury Road to clear the club's debts and set his sights on developing Cheshunt's small ground on the other side of the M25.

However, after Broxbourne Council refused planning permission, Enfield were made homeless.

The other Enfield will start their Ryman League campaign at Aldershot on Saturday but their first 'home' game is at Boreham Wood's Meadow Park stadium against Croydon on Tuesday.

Reed believes the situation at Wimbledon is similar, albeit on a much larger scale.

Wimbledon fans are continuing to protest at the possible move to Milton Keynes and some have pledged to set up a new non-League club called Real Wimbledon should chairman Charles Koppel's plans materialise.

Reed said: "I feel very sorry for Wimbledon fans. We're a much smaller club, of course, but we know what they are going through.

"Not many years ago, we were on a par with them and I remember many great games between the clubs in the 1960s. But if they want any help or advice from us, we'll be very happy to support them.

"Football is part of the community. When the local club does well, there is a feeling of local pride. It can lift the whole town. Look what happened when Inverness Thistle beat Celtic a few years ago. The Inverness Town Hall lowered the Scottish flag and raised the football club's flag instead.

"You cannot get that sort of feeling if the club is out of the area."

Town's main objective now is to find a ground of their own.

"That is going to be very difficult," added Reed. "But it is not impossible.

"Meanwhile, we're just happy to be playing locally. The atmosphere at pre-season friendlies has been great. All the supporters feel they are part of the club again. That is a great thing to have."