For years, it has had many custodians, keepers of what has become legend, in fact as legendary as the very graffiti that adorns it. Finally, though it has a proper home and can be viewed by all, the Foundation Stone.
This past Sunday, more football heritage was unveiled. WiSH would like to go on record and say thank you to those who kept the stone in safe hands for years since the old Plough Lane ground was sadly demolished. It was part of the original new supporters club in 1958, later to become the Sportsman Pub.
WISA (Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association) were the ones largely responsible for keeping the stone in good condition, although the mysterious graffiti that, as of yet, has not been able to be removed has also become part of the story. The name or tag does seem to read as Mr. Toad, and in a quirky way we kind of like that.
Lou Carton-Kelly, Laurence Lowne and Ian Cooke were on hand at the stadium for the big reveal. As you can see from the images, it is now mounted to the left of the Mick the Miller mosaic, another legend, at the front of the stadium. This was part of an early example of Wimbledon supporters crowdfunding and is now part of the fabric of the new stadium in partnership with WiSH. Complete with commemorative plaque and the storyboard of its journey home and rescue by WISA, we have a lot to thank them for.
Extended thanks to Ben Adams for the artwork and to Nick Brickell for the bespoke installation.