The K's In Point

Steve Dormer

By Ks Supporters Club (K Supporters Club)9/10 20:00Wed Oct 9 20:00:15 2024

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As there has been a number of questions about Steve Dormer no longer being part of the Kingstonian Board, the Supporters Club has reached out to Steve who wanted to advise the following.

In his own words:

The time has come to share my views on my short time at Kingstonian FC, and explain what happened, as so many people have been constantly asking or making their own assumptions.

I was approached by a Board member to join the Club - this was towards the build up to the end of last seasons campaign.

I made it clear from the start I would only help and assist the Club with several conditions as per the below.

A) The Club utilises the current Under 18 squad overlooked by Nigel James (possibly as director of football) as well as integrating local players and to make sure the club avoids relegation.

B) The Club becomes sustainable and self sufficient without reaching out for funds held by AFC Wimbledon any further.

C) I spent several weeks looking at budgets and forecasts and felt a budget (not to be mentioned on here) would become achievable to make this work; this was some 50% less than what’s now being paid.

D) The focus on the new ground should be more important than what happens on the playing field. My attitude was as long as the Club retains its Step 4 status the rest will fall in place possibly over a 3-5 year period.

E) Most importantly the Club integrates better with the supporters as none of this can work without the two sides singing from the same hymn sheet and working together.

This was acknowledged and seemed to go down well.

The Club was by far not home and dry - it certainly needed some hard work to stop the club from reaching out for help from the funds held for the new ground - however it was far from impossible. My past experiences in non-league football certainly left me feeling very confident indeed we could all achieve this.

I was in hospital when the interview process started and it soon became obvious that the Board were keen on a short term fix on the pitch, and the plans off the pitch became a little more distant and my plans off the pitch became more of non interest to certain individuals.

My feeling was the decision to appoint the great new management team was a short term fix to paper over the cracks - and reduce the abuse the Board were receiving - more than the correct interests of the club moving forward especially off the pitch. I have no issue at all with Scott and his management team, however I feel the decision to get someone of Scott’s pedigree would sit better once the new ground had been achieved.

Scott and his team will 100% get things right on the pitch - past experience proves this. Can the club match the team's success off the pitch? Only time will tell, but I wish Scott every success.

Before interviews were being sat, I introduced the Club to a project manager / architect - this I’m told has now fallen through at the first hurdle, due to payment issues and he has now instigated legal proceedings against the Club.

The club has eventually dipped into the AFC Wimbledon fund monies to pay the ground share costs, which I have to say are the most expensive costs for ground share I’ve known in non league football for this level.

Kingstonian Supporters Club