AFC Wimbledon

AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club from south London that was formed in 2002 following one of the most controversial and disgusting decisions ever made in English football. 

The original Wimbledon FC, who can be read about here, struggled for crowds for many seasons after raising from the Southern League all the way to the Premiership. After a spell at Selhurst Park sharing with Crystal Palace new owners were approached by music producer and head of the Milton Keynes Stadium Consortium, Pete Winkelman. 

The consortium was also backed by Asda. Winkelman approached the then Wimbledon chairman, Charles Koppell, who was keen on the idea. The idea of Wimbledon relocating had been mooted once before and can be read about here. On this occasion more interested was gathered.

However, the fans, the FA and the Football League were most definitely against it. Milton Keynes were told that if they wanted a Football League club they'd have to earn it by a club starting at the bottom of the pyramid and having to win promotions through the leagues. 

The consortium said it could not be justified to build the stadium as part of the development including a hotel, huge hypermaket, conference centre and retail park. The city council were in favour of the whole scheme if a football club could take residency of the stadium.

Milton Keynes had previously tried and failed to relocate QPR to the town complained. Koppell wanted to take Wimbledon there. He contested the decision so an arbitration panel was formed, made up of Association and Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, the unpopular York City chairman Douglas Craig and Charles Hollander QC.

Before they sat, Winkelman still claimed the door was open to other clubs to relocate. the panel unanimously decided that the decision taken had "not been properly taken in the legal sense, and that the procedures had not been fair". As a result it was decided a second independent commission be selected to make judgement. 

The members that were chosen were Steve Stride, the then operations manager of Aston Villa who left the club in 2007, Isthmian League chairman Alan Turvey and and solicitor Raj Parker. They voted 2-1 in favour of allowing the club to move.

For a season the club were still known as Wimbledon FC playing at the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes and offering travel discounts to fans, not that hardly any were interested. The fans had their club stolen and intended to do something about it.

AFC Wimbledon was formed in the summer of 2002. The club was owned by the fans through the Dons Trust who pledge to own 75% of the club at all times. Players trials were held over three days on Wimbledon Common. Their first ever game ended in a 4-0 defeat at Sutton United, but attracted a crowd of 4,657.

The Dons finished third in their debut season before being crowned as league champions in 2003-04. The success continued as the Division One title of the Isthmian League was lifted in 2004-05 under new boss Dave Anderson.

Twelve months later Wimbledon reached the play-offs but lost in the semi-final to Fisher Athletic. It was the same story in 2006-07 as the team went out in the play-offs to Bromley before Anderson was replaced by Terry Brown.

It was third time lucky in 2007-08 after play-off wins against AFC Hornchurch and Staines Town secured promotion to Conference South. The club finished as champions the following season as John Main continued to put away the goals. 

 

The new seated stand at the Kingston Road end of Kingsmeadow

Meanwhile, a deal had been done with owners of the ground and former owner of Kingstonian, Rajesh Khosla to buy the lease for £3M to safeguard the home for both clubs. Money was provided in the form of commercial loans and loans from Dons Trust bond holders in 2006 to pay off Khosla while fundraising schemes were set up to clear the debt.

In 2006 AFC Wimbledon issued the following club statement regarding their heritage:

"The supporters of AFC Wimbledon believe that our club is a continuation of the spirit which formed Wimbledon Old Centrals in 1889 and kept Wimbledon Football Club alive until May 2002. We consider that a football club is not simply the legal entity which controls it, but that it is the community formed by the fans and players working towards a common goal. We therefore reproduce the honours won by what we believe was, and will always be, "our" club, in our community".

Kingsmeadow's Main Stand

In October 2006 Milton Keynes Dons, their supporter’s association and the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association met an agreement that the replica of the FA Cup and any other patrimony be returned to the London Borough of Merton as well as any trademarks and domain names.

Any reference to Milton Keynes Dons would only refer to events from 7th August 2004 when they played their first match under that name. The trophies and memorabilia were returned on 2nd August 2007.

As a result of the above actions, the Football Supporters Federation permitted MK Dons to become members of the federation and withdrew their appeal to fans of other clubs to boycott MK Dons games.

Rumours, which were neither confirmed, or denied, were circulating in 2010 that the club were looking to purchase Wimbledon Stadium, which was located a few hundred yards from their spiritual Plough Lane home, which wad become a housing development. The stadium staged greyhound racing as well as stock car racing and would require huge investment.

The 2010-11 saw one of the greatest fairy stories in the history of the game. Just eight years after forming AFC Wimbledon reached the Conference play-offs and after seeing off Fleetwood Town in the semi-final, they defeated Luton Town on penalties in the final at the City of Manchester Stadium to become members of the Football League.

Wimbledon had a steady first season as a League club. However, in September 2012 manager Brown was dismissed. Former Dons player Neal Ardley came in to replace him. Wimbledon avoided relegation back to the Conference on the final day of the 2012-13 season. 

The following season was a slight improvement as Kingsmeadow was added to with a new stand. Ardley continued to gradually build the playing side, while the club submitted planning permission for their new stadium at Plough Lane in November 2014.

The 2014-15 campaign saw the club reach the third round of the FA Cup for the first time as the visit of Liverpool attracted live TV coverage. The progress continued in the 2015-16 season as a seventh place was enough to secure a play-off place following a vote in favour to sell Kingsmeadow to Chelsea.

Accrington Stanley were defeated before the Dons won 2-0 at Wembley against Plymouth Argyle through goals from Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa as AFC Wimbledon reached League One fourteen years after their formation.

Kingstonian departed Kingsmeadow, drawing criticism of Wimbledon, as the team consolidated before narrowly avoiding relegation in 2017-18. Ardley was replaced by Wally Downes, a legend at the old club, as the side were deep in relegation trouble. He led the side to safety with Joe Pigott leading the scoring.

Wimbledon also reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, seeing off West Ham United before going out to Millwall as work began on the clearance of the old Plough Lane stadium for housing and the new home for the Dons.

Downes was charged with betting misconduct by the FA to be replaced by his coach and another former legend in Glyn Hodges. The 2019-20 campaign was decided on points per game after it had been cut short by the outbreak of Coronavirus. The Dons again finished just above the relegation places.

The club departed Kingsmeadow in the summer of 2020, sharing Loftus Road until October when Plough Lane was opened for football minus spectators. Hodges left the club by mutual consent in January 2021 with the team struggling with Mark Robinson replacing him.

Robinson lasted in the post until March 2022, when he was replaced by Mark Bowen. The Wombles were relegated a few weeks later, as Johnnie Jackson was installed in the manager’s position. Despite a poor 2022-23 campaign, the board kept faith with him.

AFC Wimbledon ended the 2023-24 season in tenth place, in which star player Ali Al-Hamadi had been sold to Ipswich Town.

AFC Wimbledon will play in EFL League Two in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Friday 3rd November 2006

I first went to Kingsmeadow a few years before The Dons were born when I'd seen Scarborough play against Kingstonian in the Conference. Click here to read all about it.

On this occasion I was out in about in Surrey and South West London on a crisp but pleasant day. I had called at Corinthian Casuals before catching a bus up to Kingston upon Thames. I decided to walk to the ground which had been renamed The Cherry Red Record Fans' Stadium.

The gates were open so I went into the Kingston Road End. This was a shallow terrace behind the goal with a basic roof and open areas to the sides. To the left was a similar arrangement with a slightly deeper terrace but a low roof over the centre sections. 

To the right was the Main Stand which had been extended along the full touchline containing red tip up seats. I wandered around the back of this stand and gained access into the Tempest or Athletics End Terrace. This now had a roof with a new steep terrace. All around the ground was neat signage, with both clubs crests on them.

I had hoped to stop for a quick pint and a sit down, but none of the facilities were open. Instead I took the bus opposite the ground to get to my next port of call at Raynes Park Vale.

AFC Wimbledon 2 Crawley Town 1 (Thursday 23rd September 2010) Football Conference (att: 4,018)

I had the day off work and thanks to the new TV deal negotiated by the Conference, Premier Sports were showing live coverage of the game, moving it to a Thursday night. I caught the train down to Norbiton from Waterloo and got there around ninety minutes before kick off, turning down the offers of live entertainment in The Peel to go straight to the ground!

There was already a healthy crowd milling about with fans outside the ground drinking from the two bars and looking at Terry's amazing badge stall. A free mini issue of the Wombles Underground Press fanzine had been issued which filled all 4 pages on Steve Evans, the loathsome Crawley manager along with a free brown paper bag to wave at him.

The Dons had particular dislike of Evans because a few weeks earlier he made a derisory offer a for their skipper Danny Kedwell while accusing The Dons of lacking integrity when it became public. 

He also claimed Kedwell was desperate to quit Kingsmeadow and join his "Project Promotion". Many fans wore yellow and blue t shirts with Kedwell's number nine and name on the back, with his face and the slogan "There are some things that money cannot buy" on the front.

The queues were building to get in before the turnstiles opened although locals reassured me there was no panic and to get another beer. I went in fifteen minutes before kick off and the home Tempest End was packed. 

My yellow ticket meant I could only go down the far side. The view wasn't the best and there were no loos, so it meant walking all the way back to the turnstiles. I stood down there until it poured down, when a few of us sneaked under the barrier and got in behind the goal. Naughty I know, but needs must.

The ground hadn't changed from my last visit, aside from the extension of the Main Stand towards the Kingston Road End.

Crawley were a very decent team. Brodie the ex York City striker was good but a whining cheat. He reminded me of Ronaldo in his mannerisms. Torres and Mills stood out in midfield with Quinn and the outstanding McFadzean controlling the defence. 

The Dons lacked creativity apart from their flying winger Jackson. The visitors took a deserved lead on half time. The atmosphere in the second half gradually built with Wimbledon attacking our end. The linesman was making some astonishing decisions either way as he crumbled under the pressure. 

There was plenty of huff and puff, but still the visiting keeper didn't have a save to make. Then with about fifteen minutes to go Hatton headed home from one of the many corners that had been won. The place went berserk. All sides of the ground were singing. They were even out of their seats!

Three minutes later something really marvellous happened. A seemingly harmless cross drifted in from wide. The Crawley defenders were off guard and Kedwell rose to head into the far corner. The noise was so loud it sounded like silence, if you know what I mean. 

Chaos reigned as the defenders blamed the ref, linesmen and each other. It was a lovely moment which summed up why I love this glorious game so much. It took a good five minutes to get out after the full time whistle as no-one wanted to go home. 

It was difficult to remember I was watching a non league game and certainly a far cry from watching Boro take on Kingstonian there on Grand National Day in 2001. The players celebrated in front of us for the TV cameras and hero Kedwell put on one of the yellow t shirts.

The crowd was around 600 short of capacity. I can only presume that they would fit in the area empty for segregation (around 450 away fans were in attendance) and at the far end. I'm not sure what they'd do if they went up. They simply need a bigger ground or The Fans Stadium at Kingsmeadow expanding.

I predicted both sides to obtain play off places at the seasons end, with Crawley probably finishing top or runners up. Mind you, with the ridiculous fees and wages they were shelling out, they should do.

It was a truly top night out and a highly recommended club to take in if at a loose end in the area. I got a Football League atmosphere and organisation for £14 admission. 

Saturday 14^th and Monday 30^th October

The Dons had moved back to Plough Lane and I decided it was time for me to go and try and grab a look.

On the first occasion I was on a walk from Clapham Junction which eventually ended in Richmond. I walked down past Earlsfield station from where the cranes were visible of the site where housing was being put up as part of the deal to build the stadium.

Cutting round Summerstown past the By the Horns Brewery I came to the main access, which was fenced off as works were still ongoing. I got a view of the south-east corner of the stadium but not a lot else. There was a hut for The Dons Trust behind the stand.

Further along Plough Lane there was a staircase though I wasn’t sure if this contained access to the stadium.

A few weeks later I was back as part of a a charity walk visiting all the top five tier club stadiums in London, walking 100 miles in the process to raise money for Junior Cricket Development in Thailand. It can be read about here.

Alas, it was the same story with no access available. My visit to have a proper look around would have to wait.

AFC Wimbledon 3 Bolton Wanderers 3 (Saturday 14^th August 2021) EFL League One (att: c9,000)

The Dons fans were back home on Plough Lane after a gap of thirty years. I had a spare Saturday after night shift before going to Lord’s the following day for the England v India Test match. Hendon were away to Truro City. Could I possibly attend the game in SW19.

As a lifelong football supporter, I understand that fans of the club most come first. I decided to give my fellow Scarborian pal, Mick Dore, the guvnor of the splendid Alexandra pub in Wimbledon a shout.

Mick got back a couple of weeks in advance. One of his regulars and season ticket holder couldn’t make the occasion, so I could have the use of his pass. I wasn’t going to turn down the opportunity.

As mentioned, I was working the night before. My morning got off to a shocker. I had it all planned. Set the alarm for 10.50. Fry up at West Hampstead and then the midday direct train directly to Wimbledon. However, for reasons I’m not sure I set the alarm for 11.50.

Normally this wouldn’t represent too much of an issue for a 3pm kick-off, but the arrangement was I needed to be no later than 1.30 at the pub and nearer 1 if I wanted a drink first. Mick’s son Charlie would be going up to the ground with me with my pal in the corporate.

You get the feeling it’s going to be a hard day when the Met line plays up and then sails past you when sat on a Jubilee line train. I’d had a quick rinse and was chasing time. Somehow, I managed to clamber aboard a train at 12.43 at Waterloo.

Mindful that beer on an empty head or stomach is not a great start I dashed into Greggs at my destination. Why is it whenever you want a hot sausage roll, you get a cold one, but when you want a cold one to wolf down, they’re the temperature of Chernobyl? Sods law I think they call it.

The main street outside the station was vibrant. Lots of Wimbledon as well as Chelsea shirts, with their fans heading to their match via the District line, were on show. It was a lovely summers day.

The pub was busy. It was so good to see. A pal and I had called a few months earlier after completing a walk from Richmond when lockdown was slowly being lifted but pubs were limited to alfresco service. The vibrant boozer really gladdened the heart.

The staff were going ten to the dozen, including Mick and Charlie. My first two drinks were free. Just before I got in someone had ordered a large tray of Guinness and left. Mick and the regulars weren’t keen but insisted I got stuck in. Not a problem gents!

An older Dons fan was sat with a vacant seat next to him. We got chatting about one of the greatest stories in football. Justice was finally being done. I was then introduced to Andrew, an Alex regular and Glaswegian. Charlie was relieved of his duties, and we headed towards the stadium.

It was a pleasant walk of around twenty minutes. The lads were in the West Stand, me in the South, so we parted ways and arranged to meet back at the pub. Inside the entrance was a forecourt behind the South and East stands, with plenty of concessions.

I thought it a good selection of food and drink. I went for the Pale Ale at £5.50 and after a look around spotted the bargain battered sausage and chips for £4 from a fish and chips van, settling on a vantage point to enjoy.

It turned out to be a good spot. Some fans were doing a video interview with Dons Trust vice chair Xavier Wiggins. I grabbed a pleasant quick chat with him when he was done to offer my congratulations as a fan of a couple of fans owned clubs. I mentioned Mick from the pub. “Legend” was the first word to come from Xavier’s mouth.

At 2.45 I went inside to locate my seat. End of the second row from the front to the right of the goal. Just the job. Wanderers had sold out their away end of around 1,400 fans. The Wombles fans were making plenty of noise, with the singing of “Show me the way to Plough Lane” getting regular airings.

Out come the teams at Plough Lane

It was an emotional moment, even for this neutral, as the teams took to the pitch. Prior to kick off a minute’s applause was held to remember Dons fans who had passed away since the last professional game on Plough Lane.

The match was a scrappy affair in its early stages. The general feeling among our little group was that 1-1 was a popular score prediction. It had the feel to me that two goals would be a tad optimistic. No wonder the bookies love me.

Wimbledon gradually found their feet and took the lead when a cross from Anthony Hartigan was nodded in at the back post by Will Nightingale on twenty minutes. The Trotters would be level just three minutes later.

Dons keeper Nik Tzanev clumsily brought down Oladapo Afolayan in the box. Eoin Doyle sent the Kiwi stopper the wrong way from the spot. Some Bolton fans rushed to the corner where home fans were taunting them shortly before. It was good to be back in a full stadium and feel the passion of football supporters.

The visitors built on the momentum to take the lead before the half hour mark when an excellent Doyle cross picked out the unmarked Josh Sheehan to slot home as the Wimbledon defence parted like the Red Sea.

There looked to be only one winner from my vantage point as I had a stretch at the interval. This was reiterated just three minutes into the second half. Afolayan put away a pass from Amadou Bakayoko at the far post in front of the delirious away support.

A superb stop at close range from Tzanev kept his side in it when it felt like Bolton could add to their lead, but football is a funny old game as the saying goes. Home boss Mark Robinson made a couple of substitutions. They turned out to be a masterstroke.

Referee Peter Wright was feeling the wrath of the home support and players as he waved aside a couple of appeals for free kicks. He appeared to more than make up for it when he awarded a penalty with sixteen minutes remaining as he adjudged that Ayoub Assal was brought down in the box.

One of the subs, Aaron Pressley scored. The other Dapo Mebude pounced on a loose ball just inside the visitors half a minute later, racing to just inside the box before curling a beautiful low curling effort past goalie Joel Dixon. The place went wild.

Wanderers had a late appeal for a penalty waved away, but on reflection a draw was probably about right. It was certainly a fitting match to welcome supporters back. A wonderful occasion all told.

The vendor where I’d got my food got into the spirit giving away his unsold sausages as fans streamed out. There were smiles everywhere. I had to giggle at a family out on a bike ride trying to cross Plough Lane wondered where all the people were coming from.

I was first back to the pub where again everyone seemed to smile. Andrew joined me for a really nice chat. Poor Charlie was back on bar duties at 6pm. Half an hour later Mick appeared in the most obvious “guess who’s enjoyed corporate hospitality all afternoon” contest I’ve ever seen.

We had a good catch up, meeting great and good regulars and guests including plenty returning from Stamford Bridge. Andrew had the right idea and made a move. I got settled. It was great to catch up with Mick and have a good laugh while a former volatile Premier League full back jokingly insulted us and bought us beer.

Wary of my trip to Lord’s and with it being with my brother and my nephew on his first day at a Test I headed off for the train just gone 10. I had a result, falling asleep soon aboard and walking up in Kentish Town, one stop before I needed to. Luton would have been a long way from home!

An absolutely wonderful occasion and day out. I was very humbled to have been part of it.