Over the last few months I have received a great deal of correspondence from Dons fans and other readers, which I greatly appreciate and love responding to. However a few questions arise time and time again… and that’s what the F.A.Q.s page is all about…
Why the need for anonymity?
There’s no effort to remain anonymous! As you can see from the Contact and Biog pages, I’m Neil Lord-Smith, I stand in the John Smith Stand, and I’m very happy for anyone who cares to know who I am.
Why ‘The Anonymous Don’ then?
I had been planning a Wimbledon blog for months, there didn’t seem to be one about except for WUP blog, who have been very helpful in giving me all the publicity I could wish for,
I saw a gap in the market, noticed from websites like The Big Tissue and SW19’s, as well as the guest book, that people were interested in reading thoughtful insights from other supporters, but I couldn’t think of a name. From New Year onwards it really bugged me, and I was on the verge of calling it Neil’s AFCW blog or something lame like that, when someone mentioned how anonymous I was around the club for such a committed supporter, and it just stuck in my head.
What’s the purpose of this blog? Do you have a mission statement?
Yes. I write primarily for my own enjoyment, but have noticed a large group of people who can’t make it to games who really appreciate my reports from matches. With connections in New England I may be forced to move there someday, and I will be in their shoes, a wayward Womble looking for any information I can. I that situation I would certainly hope someone would fill the void. So this is dedicated to all Dons who appreciate another view, and for those who can only be with us in spirit.
Why do you hate Hampton so much?
Lets just get this straight; I dislike pretty much everyone (including on many occasions, AFC Wimbledon). Hampton have been mentioned frequently because they were rivals on the pitch. I also go overboard on Woking, and we haven’t even played them yet!
What’s Control>Shoot all about then?
I remember a few years back reading Tom Dunmore’s blog ‘Pitch Invasion’ and just being blown away by the standard of writing and research that had gone into it, and wishing I could do something similar. From reading this I found Ian Kings blog ‘Twohundredpercent’, I think I was slightly intimidated at first just thinking of replicating projects like that.
But I found I had the desire to carry on writing about anything football related that took my fancy once I had finished my Anon Don stuff. Originally I was going to put the first two articles, a background to the news Team Bath were folding and a report I wrote on a game I attended in the States featuring New England Revolution under a separate category on TAD, but as some of the articles are quite experimental still.
I’m slowly getting used to writing about subject matter I’m not as up to speed on as I am with Dons news, so I was worried this material might dilute this blog. The natural step was to create a sister blog, which to start with was a bit straight laced, but I’m learning where to add a few well placed moments of absurdity – for example, the Flag Icon campaign – I was amazed I could think of a subject that everyone agreed with but was so trivial they could barely be bothered to sign a petition that I linked to! It is all good publicity and I’m having fun with it!
Can I have copies of the original photos you feature on the site?
Yes. I’m quite proud of the amount of original images that have proved useable on the blog – bear in mind I’m working with hardware that’s several generations old, and held together with sticky tape! If you want an original just email me and I’ll send you a copy. However some of the images aren’t the best quality anyway, and some have been blatantly lifted from the O/S…
Have you written for any previous Dons websites?
No! This is my first crack at it, and very proud I am too!
Can I write for The Anonymous Don blog?
In a word, no. As with most blogs this was intended as my personal perspective, with perhaps a view towards encouraging others to do similar. If you can’t be bothered to create and maintain your own blog but still want to get your message out there, that’s the very reason why WUP blog was created! I suggest you go to them first; they do after all have marginally more readers than I do! And if you write a couple of articles, like it and decide to branch out on your own, their links section has a blogroll just waiting to be filled.
Can I reproduce articles or part of them for my own website/fanzine/other?
No problem. I’d appreciate being given a heads up in advance just for courtesy, but I’m happy with a link or just a credit.
Would the Anonymous Don be prepared to write an article for my own fanzine/blog/other?
I don’t see why not, however it would depend on other factors (i.e., how much work I have for my own blog or external factors like holidays or employment…). The longer the deadline, the better as far as I’m concerned.
I’ve heard rumour your planning a podcast! Is there any truth in this?
Well, yes and no. Someone suggested it ages ago, and the idea stuck in my head, but I haven’t yet come across anyone who is prepared to sit with me in a room for 15 minutes to discuss Dons related matters in an off the wall manner. I the mean time WDON do that kind of stuff much better, theirs lasts an hour, but I do appreciate there is a need for more Wimbledon related media of this kind. So keep your ears open for further announcements.
