The Dons Trust has launched a campaign to get approval for the sale of its Cherry Red Records Stadium, in the next step in the plans to bring AFC Wimbledon home to Merton.

The campaign, launched yesterday, is called ‘Back in Two Ticks’, referring to the two separate votes needed to agree to the sale of the club’s current stadium.

As the ultimate owners of the club, members of the Dons Trust must give their consent if the board is to proceed with the move.

From July 7: Football stadium decision delayed after AFC Wimbledon alters plans

Wandsworth Times:

An artists' impression of the new stadium. Sheppard Robson Architects

The multi-million pound bid for the club’s homecoming to Plough Lane was expected to be discussed by Merton Council’s planning committee in July but it has been pushed back to later this year to allow time for another public consultation to take place after changes to its plans were announced.

Wandsworth Times:

The club’s planning application for a 20,000 seater new stadium in Plough Lane, Wimbledon, was submitted in November last year.

From January: Residents and fans respond to Environment Agency report on AFC Wimbledon stadium plans

Dons Trust chairman Matthew Breach said: "We are taking nothing for granted by launching now.

"We simply want to get all our authorities in place so that, when we’ve met all the conditions for the sale to go ahead, including planning permission of course, we are fully ready to proceed with the sale, secure in the knowledge that our members support it."

The multi-million pound plans to re-develop Plough Lane involve knocking down the current greyhound racing track and building a new stadium that can seat 20,000 people (which would originally begin as an 11,000 seater and then be expanded), as well as more than 600 flats, shops, parking, and a squash and fitness club.

Although the plans have been opposed by some prominent figures and neighbours of the site, such as MP for Tooting Sadiq Khan and Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia, it has met widespread approval from fans of the team.

In February, 15,000 supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) signed a letter of support for the bid and the end of greyhound racing in the area.

Board members of the Trust and the club will be spreading the word about the campaign at Saturday’s match against Exeter City, when players will wear ‘Back in Two Ticks’ t-shirts during the pre-match warm up and leaflets will be distributed to supporters.

Dons Trust spokesman Mark Davis told the Wimbledon Guardian that they were confident that the sale of the current stadium would be approved.

He said: "We are saying to all of those campaigning to get ready for some meetings and some communications.

"We are confident. It’s a major decision, so it’s right that we are taking it seriously. But of course we are confident."

Information on the proposals and the voting process will be sent to every Dons Trust member in the middle of September.

Members, including Junior Dons, can also attend a meeting on September 22 or 24 to discuss the proposals.

Got an opinion? Comment below or email letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk