Perry backs new Wimbledon

Perry played for Wimbledon between 1991 and 1999

Former Wimbledon defender Chris Perry has told BBC Sport Online of his support and admiration for the newly-formed AFC Wimbledon.

Thousands of supporters have protested vehemently against the First Division club's proposal to relocate to Milton Keynes and are now supporting AFC Wimbledon, who play in the Combined Counties League.

Fans want move blocked

Before moving to Spurs in 1991, Perry spent eight years with Wimbledon, where he was regularly watched by his father, a life-long Dons fan.

"I'm right behind all the fans who have gone to AFC Wimbledon to set up their own club completely from scratch and are supporting it and doing well with it," Perry told BBC Sport Online.

The defender is planning to watch the new club, who have regularly attracted crowds of more than 3,000, at Kingstonian's Kingsmeadow home ground, play Bedfont on Wednesday.

Wimbledon AFC's last home game against Coventry attracted an attendance of just over 2,000 fans.

"It will be good to the see the amount of fans and the passion," added Perry.

"I will probably see a lot of faces that I haven't seen for a few years.

Wimbledon FC fans have been in short supply

"I think it is unbelievable the amount of people behind the club and how many people have gone to watch the games.

"I've been so impressed by the way one minute Wimbledon were moving to Milton Keynes and the next minute AFC Wimbledon were up and running."

Perry feels particular empathy for the Wimbledon players who will have to uproot when the club moves to Milton Keynes.

"The players are in a very difficult situation. They didn't really want to speak out, because there's a chance their contracts would be terminated.

"I know that a few of the people last season would rather have stayed in the Merton area.

"But it's the same for any player. You do what the club tells you to do. They tell you when and where to play and that's your job. You can't do anything about it.

"Most of the lads are very settled in the Wimbledon area. It's going to be a bit of an upheaval for the whole club to move."

Perry plans to watch AFC Wimbledon play Bedfont

Perry claimed that the whole direction of the club changed once Sam Hammam had sold Wimbledon AFC in 1997 to the current Norwegian owners - Kjell Inge Rokke is now the majority shareholder.

"From the moment the Norwegian owners took over the main aim was to move," said Perry.

"There was talk of a move to Dublin when I was playing.

"The only way the Norwegians saw open to them was to get a big stadium where the club could attract crowds of 30,000 or 40,000-plus week-in and week-out.

"They see Milton Keynes as their final option. Their main objective was to a get big stadium and that was never an option in London.

"Sam had been there a long time and - say what you like about him - he had the best interests of the club at heart.

"When the Norwegians came in it really changed."