Judging by the size of my postbag in the past week, it's an understatement to say the ongoing Wimbledon saga is an emotive issue.

Mr Hillier, from Portslade, said of last week's column: "Perhaps it was provocative writing designed to evoke debate?" If I had a contract, that stipulation would probably be in the job description. But seven days on and I have not changed my opinion on the matter.

The formation of AFC Wimbledon shows the overwhelming majority of Dons fans have given up on the Division One club that play at Selhurst Park. They don't really care how Wimbledon do against the Albion on Saturday.

The Selhurst Dons are no longer their club. If anything, they probably welcome every visiting Division One side taking the three points.

Wimbledon FC are experiencing football's answer to a death of a 1,000 cuts which at least will end the prospect of football franchising in this country.

Because, whether the Dons go to the wall at Selhurst or Milton Keynes, franchising our national game is dead in the water.

It might work in minority sports like basketball or ice hockey, but English football is too tribal for it ever to succeed.

There are two types of supporter in this country. The armchair fan, who has Sky TV and supports any one of about half a dozen Premiership teams, and the true football fan, who has always supported his or her local team.

You cannot suddenly instill that passion and loyalty into a new set of supporters miles away from the original club, however attractive it may look on a balance sheet. The footballing public of this country are far too intelligent to fall for it.

Franchising is an American idea, but then the USA takes wrestling seriously. It works in the States because they have no idea about sporting traditions, unlike the British football fan who certainly does.

The Wimbledon issue has split the fan base in two. I have many friends among my critics. My next door neighbour, who is an Albion fanatic, will not go to Selhurst. Then again, the man I meet walking his dog in Tarring Park every morning and who cannot get a Withdean season ticket, says he cannot give up the chance of watching Albion live.

It's quite ironic that one of my most vociferous critics is an Albion supporter who crossed the Goldstone picket line when Albion fans boycotted the match against Mansfield in October 1996. I sincerely hope that in the current crop of "Harty Haters" there isn't anyone who shops at the Goldstone Retail Park.

Emotions are running high and things have been said to me in the heat of the moment. I respect each and every Albion supporter, wherever they decide to go this Saturday. Regardless of what happens at Selhurst Park or AFC Wimbledon's game at home againt Cove 48 hours later, everyone will be back together supporting the Albion at home to Walsall on Bank Holiday Monday. Another must-win game which, whatever people might say, is still the main priority.

Besides, John Baine, the Albion's very own leather-clad poet, is leading a demonstration outside Selhurst Park at 2.15pm on Saturday. The word on the street is that John is going to rap things up with an acoustic version of Spandau Ballet's Through The Barricades. I for one can't and won't miss that!

Enjoy Saturday, whatever you do, and remember three short years ago Albion were at Leyton Orient hoping for a rare away win at Brisbane Road. That's how far the club has come.