Ryan Bertrand Consortium Proposes £87m Investment in AFC Wimbledon

Former England defender Ryan Bertrand is leading a consortium that has proposed an £87m minority investment in League One side AFC Wimbledon, with £16m upfront for a 34% stake in AFCW PLC. The Dons Trust board presented the proposals to members on Wednesday night, BBC reported.

Bertrand Consortium's £87m Proposal for AFC Wimbledon

Bertrand, who played for Chelsea, Southampton, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, fronts the group with British technology expert Omar Mir, the sole funder of the proposed minority share buyout through investment vehicle Sloane Street Capital (SSC). SSC would invest £16m on completion for a minority 34% of the shares in AFCW PLC, the company that runs the club, with the remaining £71m spread over five seasons to the 2030-31 campaign.

If the deal succeeds, SSC would oversee football operations, led by Bertrand as senior football advisor, but work within budgets and processes agreed by the AFCW PLC board. The Dons Trust currently own 50.01% of the voting shares of AFC Wimbledon, a structure designed to keep the club fan-controlled. Under the terms, the Trust's voting rights would be unaffected, and it would hold veto control of the Cherry Red Records Stadium freehold.

SSC would take two of the 12 seats on the club board plus an observer position, while the Dons Trust would retain a veto over the club's name, badge, colours, ground and constitution. Stuart Fiertz, co-founder of the investment management company Cheyne Capital, and sports executive Oliver Ward would join the board if a deal is ratified. Should SSC sell its stake, the Dons Trust would have first refusal and could block investors it deemed unsuitable. If SSC missed a payment, its share of AFC Wimbledon's value would stop growing immediately and control would return to the club within three months.

Bertrand said: "AFC Wimbledon's story is unique in English football and it was built by its supporters. We felt at home from our very first meetings." He added: "We are not here to change what this club is. We are here to help it go further on and off the pitch, for the men's team, the women's team and the academy."

Angus Fox, chair of the Dons Trust board, said: "The deal brings at least £87m into AFC Wimbledon over five years, while the Trust keeps a permanent majority of the votes, control of the Plough Lane freehold and a veto over everything that makes us who we are." He said the board recommends a yes vote, but that it is members' decision.

AFC Wimbledon's Funding History

According to akta.pro company records, AFC Wimbledon has five funding rounds on record and total funding of $20.8 million, with the last round dated 2022-11-09. The records list a 2022-11 series unknown round with one investor, a 2020-08 equity crowdfunding round of $9.9 million with one investor, a 2020-07 debt-funded round of $5 million led by MSP Capital, and a 2020-06 series unknown round of $3.1 million with one investor.

How the AFC Wimbledon Investment Talks Developed

AFC Wimbledon identified a preferred investor after speaking to more than 20 parties, with a proposal for sustainable investment and infrastructure, Yahoo reported in October 2026. Earlier this year, members voted in favour of external investment on the proviso that fan ownership and control were protected, and the board has since considered more than 20 potential investors, with SSC emerging as the strongest. AFC Wimbledon's lawyers have completed source-of-funds and background checks on the individuals involved in the consortium.

When Dons Trust Members Vote

The voting period for Dons Trust members to decide on the proposals ends on 17 November.