The Club was proud to host Merton Best Business Awards for the first time last week – and our stadium was completely transformed for the big occasion.

Our Viticult Lounge, as you can see from the main image above, was decked out with a kaleidoscope of colours and stage illuminations and the Panash Steel Orchestra reflected a Caribbean theme with their eclectic sounds.

Over 300 people were in attendance on the evening, which started with introductory drinks on the Cappagh Stand concourse, before progressing upstairs for the main event.

Yes, it was certainly a different kind of event to a usual matchday at the Cherry Red Records Stadium!

But there were a few familiar faces amongst the rollcall of winners, which was the 11^th staging of the awards for Merton Chamber of Commerce.

Dons Local Action Group won the Best Charity Award for the third successive year and the Best Team Award was collected by Stronger Fitness Martial Arts, led by lifelong Dons fan Tom Goulder (pictured second from left below).

“I’m so happy that AFC Wimbledon hosted an event where all the local businesses can come to one venue and it’s a great way to showcase what the Club is all about,” said Tom. “I’m proud to be here and for us to win an accolade for Best Team Award. We started in 2015 from our base in South Wimbledon and there are 15 of us in the business, so we’ve been growing all of the time. We have professional instructors and pathways for people to compete as amateurs or to reach professional status. We have a few Wimbledon fans, but I definitely want more, so come along and we’ll definitely do a discount for you!

“I’m a Debenture holder and I come to as many games as I can – I love being here. I’ve been a fan since I was a kid and I remember running out into the streets in celebration when Wimbledon won the FA Cup.”

Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that this year’s Merton Business Awards are hosted by AFC Wimbledon – and I want to extend my thanks to the Club for doing this. I think the Club embodies everything that’s great about Merton. It’s a fantastic community event and there’s no better place to host these awards.

“These awards are hugely important for Merton as they reward local success stories, highlighting what can be achieved. As a council, we’ve sponsored the event and we’re giving out two awards today. It’s important to recognise the incredible number of businesses that we have in the borough and all that they do to make Merton a great place to work and play.

“The investment in bringing AFC Wimbledon back to Plough Lane has been well worth it in many ways and the the quality of the facilities here is a tribute to all of the hard work that has been put in.”

With the aim of the night being to highlight local success stories, it was no surprise that Dons Local Action Group received an accolade once again – for the third time as Best Charity Award winners.

Dons Local Action Group has gone from strength to strength since its inception when it started back in 2020 as a community project to help those in crisis following the outbreak of Covid.

Tim Marshall, Deputy Head of Operations at Dons Local Action Group, said: “The work we do in the community is amazing and humbling. We’ve got 2,000 registered volunteers and without them we are nothing. Those volunteers are the heartbeat of what we do. We feed people, provide clothes, computers and furniture, for those who need them.

“This project started when a few football fans came together with an idea at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and it has grown from one table outside a supermarket in Wimbledon to what we are now, helping to tackle poverty in the local area.”