Jump to content

AFC Wimbledon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 213.235.17.242 (talk) at 15:57, 13 March 2018. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the club founded by supporters in 2002. For the club founded in 1889, see Wimbledon F.C.

AFC Wimbledon
File:AFC Wimbledon.svg
Full nameAFC Wimbledon
Nickname(s)The Dons, The Wombles
Founded30 May 2002; 22 years ago (2002-05-30)
GroundKingsmeadow
Capacity4,850 (2,265 seats)
ChairmanErik Samuelson
ManagerNeal Ardley
LeagueLeague One
2016–17League One, 15th
WebsiteClub website
Current season

AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club currently based in Kingston upon Thames, south west London, England, which has played in League One, the third tier of the English football league system, since promotion in 2016. Their home stadium is Kingsmeadow, a ground shared with Chelsea Ladies and up until 2017 with Isthmian League club Kingstonian F.C.

The club was founded by Wimbledon F.C. supporters in 2002 after the Football Association allowed that club to relocate to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, about 60 miles (97 km) north of Wimbledon. The large majority of Wimbledon F.C. supporters were very strongly opposed to moving the club so far away from Wimbledon, feeling that a club transplanted to a distant location would no longer represent Wimbledon or the club's legacy and traditions.[1][2][2][3] Wimbledon F.C. moved in 2003 and formally changed the name of the club to Milton Keynes Dons in 2004.[2][4]

When AFC Wimbledon was formed, it affiliated to both the London and Surrey Football Associations, and entered the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, the ninth tier of English football. The club has since been promoted six times in 13 seasons, going from the ninth tier (Combined Counties Premier) to the third (League One).

AFC Wimbledon hold the record for the longest unbeaten run of league matches in English senior football, having played 78 consecutive league games without a defeat between February 2003 and December 2004.[5] They are the first club formed in the 21st century to make it into the Football League.[6]

In December 2017, the club received final permission to begin work on the construction of a new stadium on the site of the defunct Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, only 250 yards away from Plough Lane, Wimbledon F.C.'s home until 1991. The club aim to have the stadium ready to move in to in 2019. It will have an initial capacity of 11,000, with the option of increasing to a 20,000 capacity at a later date.[7]

History

Foundation

Main article: Relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes

On 28 May 2002, the Football Association backed a 2-1 decision by the three-man independent, arbitration commission they had appointed to allow Wimbledon to relocate 56 miles north to the new town of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, a decision influenced, among other factors, by claims from Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel that such a move was "necessary" in order to prevent the club from going "bankrupt."[8] Although the absence of a ground in Milton Keynes meeting Football League criteria meant the club were unable to physically move for over a year, Wimbledon's traditional local support dried up almost immediately in protest.[9]

Following this announcement, a group of Wimbledon supporters led by Kris Stewart and fellow founding members Marc Jones and Trevor Williams met in The Fox and Grapes pub on Wimbledon Common to plan what was to be done next and on 30 May 2002 the idea was put forward in a Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association meeting to create a new community-based club named AFC Wimbledon and an appeal for funds was launched.[10][11] On 13 June 2002, a new manager, a playing strip and badge based on that of the original Wimbledon FC, and a stadium were unveiled to fans and the media at the packed-out Wimbledon Community Centre.[12] In order to assemble a competitive team at very short notice, AFC Wimbledon held player trials on 29 June 2002 on Wimbledon Common, open to any unattached player who felt he was good enough to try out for the team.[13] The event attracted 230 hopeful players, from whom the club's squad for their inaugural season was eventually chosen.[14]

Non-League football (2002–2011)

For a statistical breakdown by season, see List of AFC Wimbledon seasons.
Ryan Gray prepares to take a corner in a 2–1 win over AFC Wallingford on 8 May 2004 in AFC Wimbledon's final fixture in the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

The Combined Counties League years (2002–2004)

In the 2002–03 season, AFC Wimbledon competed in the Combined Counties League Premier Division under the management of former Wimbledon F.C. player Terry Eames, who was appointed on 13 June 2002.[15] Their first ever game, a pre-season friendly against Sutton United on 10 July 2002, resulted in a 4–0 loss in front of a crowd of 4,657.[16] At the end of their debut season, AFC Wimbledon finished third in the league and narrowly failed to win promotion to the Isthmian League First Division, despite a strong end to the season that involved winning their final 11 league fixtures.[17]

In 2003–04, AFC Wimbledon won their first 21 league games before a 2–2 draw against Sandhurst Town on 10 January 2004, giving them 32 consecutive wins in league games over two seasons. Manager Terry Eames was suspended on 13 February 2004 and sacked five days later on the grounds of gross misconduct, after evidence was produced which showed him to have firstly made unauthorised and untrue representations to a number of the coaching staff, secondly, that he had falsely informed members of the coaching staff that the club had decided not to support his plans for youth football and required him to make immediate budgetary cut-backs and thirdly that he dispensed with the services of members of the coaching staff citing untrue reasons.[18] Assistant manager Nick English took charge with immediate effect. The team went on to finish as champions of the Combined Counties League with an unbeaten record for the season of 42 wins and four draws.[19] AFC Wimbledon also won the league's Premier Challenge Cup after beating North Greenford United 4–1 in the Final on 30 April 2004, completing a double for the season.[20]

The Isthmian League years (2004–2008)

Dave Anderson was appointed as new manager on 11 May 2004.[21] Under his leadership AFC Wimbledon took their good form into the 2004–05 season during which they competed in the Isthmian League First Division — they remained top of the division for the duration of the season, and were convincing title-winners, sealing promotion to the League's Premier Division. The Dons secured another double by defeating Walton & Hersham 2–1 in the Final of the Surrey Senior Cup on 3 May 2005.[22] Over the course of the season, AFC Wimbledon set a new record for the longest run of unbeaten league games at any level of senior football in the United Kingdom.[5] The team remained unbeaten for 78 league matches between 22 February 2003 (a 2–0 defeat at home to Withdean 2000) and 4 December 2004 (a 2–0 defeat at Cray Wanderers).[23]

AFC Wimbledon fans and players celebrating promotion to the Conference South having beaten Staines Town 2–1 in the 2008 Isthmian League Premier Division Play-off Final.

The 2005–06 season proved far more competitive than previous seasons – as after winning their first few games, AFC Wimbledon found themselves struggling to remain in the play-off places. After fluctuating form they eventually reached the play-offs after a 1–0 win against Anderson's former club, Hendon, on 22 April 2006.[24] However, a 2–1 defeat at Fisher Athletic on 2 May 2006 prevented the club from achieving three back-to-back promotions.[25] The Dons once again reached the final of the Surrey Senior Cup, however, this time they were narrowly defeated 1–0 by Kingstonian in a fiercely contested derby.[26]

Much of the 2006–07 season was overshadowed by the threat of a proposed 18-point deduction by the FA for the club's fielding of Jermaine Darlington who, it transpired, had not been registered correctly by the club and had therefore played in three games whilst still ineligible.[27] However, this punishment was eventually reduced to a three-point deduction and a £400 fine on appeal after the FA finally acknowledged that the club had made a simple administrative error.[28] The 'Darlington affair' also resulted in expulsion from the Surrey Senior Cup and the FA Trophy that year. Although AFC Wimbledon did enough to qualify for the play-offs, they once again missed out on promotion, this time as a result of losing 1–0 to Bromley in the play-off semi-final on 1 May 2007.[29] Manager Dave Anderson subsequently left the club by mutual consent on 2 May 2007.[30]

Terry Brown was appointed as the new AFC Wimbledon manager on 15 May 2007.[31] During 2007–08, he led the club to promotion to the Conference South in his first season in charge, a feat which predecessor Dave Anderson had proved unable to achieve, having lost two consecutive play-off final opportunities in the previous two seasons. The Dons made steady progress throughout the season, qualifying for the play-offs after finishing third in the League. AFC Wimbledon beat AFC Hornchurch 3–1 in the play-off semi-final on 29 April 2008[32] and went on to triumph 2–1 over Staines Town in the play-off final on 3 May 2008.[33]

The Conference years (2008–2011)

The starting line-up for the Conference Premier play-off Final win against Luton Town on 21 May 2011, resulting in promotion to the Football League.

AFC Wimbledon spent most of the 2008–09 season near the top of the league table, eventually finishing as champions and earning promotion to the Conference Premier after defeating St Albans City 3–0 on 25 April 2009.[34] The match set an attendance record of 4,722 for Kingsmeadow stadium, which at that time was full capacity.[35]

The 2009–10 season was the club's first in the Conference Premier. Overall the Dons finished eighth, 14 points short of the play-off zone. This was the first season in which the club had failed to make the top five in the league table.[36]

In 2010–11 AFC Wimbledon finished as runners-up of the Conference Premier, qualifying for the play-offs. The Dons faced fifth placed Fleetwood Town in the play-off semi-finals, whom they went on to thrash 8–1 on aggregate.[37] This aggregate scoreline set a record as the largest winning margin recorded since the Conference Premier first introduced the play-off system at the beginning of the 2002–03 season. In the play-off final at the City of Manchester Stadium on 21 May 2011, in front of a crowd of 18,195, AFC Wimbledon beat Luton Town 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out, after the match had ended 0–0 in extra time.[38] The victory resulted in promotion to the Football League for the first time and represented the club's fifth promotion in nine years. The club's achievement of attaining League status after just nine seasons of existence is considered to be one of the fastest ascents for a new club since automatic promotion to the Football League first commenced in the 1980s.[23] AFC Wimbledon also hold the record of being the first club to be formed in the 21st century to make it into the Football League, making them the youngest club in the football league by some distance.[6]

Football League (2011–present)

League Two (2011–2016)

The 2011–12 season saw AFC Wimbledon's promotion to League Two. The team started the season well, winning seven out of their first 12 matches, but failed to keep the momentum going and had a poor run, eventually finishing the season ranking 16th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

AFC Wimbledon's rapid rise through the English football league system between 2002–2016. It took the club just 14 years to progress from the 9th tier to the 3rd.

The 2012–13 campaign marked the 10th anniversary of AFC Wimbledon's inaugural season. After an abysmal start to the season, manager Terry Brown was sacked on 19 September 2012 along with assistant manager Stuart Cash, with AFC Wimbledon sitting just above the relegation zone.[39] First team coach Simon Bassey took over as caretaker manager with immediate effect. Bassey was in charge just four matches, however, before former Wimbledon player Neal Ardley was appointed as Terry Brown's permanent replacement on 10 October 2012, naming former Watford and Cardiff City teammate Neil Cox as his assistant manager.[40] On 2 December 2012, AFC Wimbledon faced Milton Keynes Dons in the second round of the FA Cup, in the first ever meeting between the two sides following the relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes, with the match ending as a 2–1 defeat for AFC Wimbledon.[41] The Dons secured their Football League status on the final day of the 2012–13 season, despite having started the day in the relegation zone, by beating Fleetwood Town 2–1 at Kingsmeadow on 27 April 2013.[42]

In the 2013–14 season, a match involving AFC Wimbledon was at the centre of a failed match-fixing plot. Shortly after the club's 1–0 loss against Dagenham & Redbridge on 26 November 2013, businessmen Krishna Ganeshan and Chann Sankaran and three Whitehawk players—Michael Boateng, Moses Swaibu and Hakeem Adelakun—were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery over a failed plot to fix the game.[43][44][45][46] Ganeshan, Sankaran and Boateng were convicted.[47][48] The club had a disappointing season overall, only managing to replicate the 20th placed league finish of the season before after the club were docked three points for the ineligible fielding of Jake Nicholson after failing to obtain international clearance for him after he joined from Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton on 19 February 2014.[49]

The 2014–15 season saw AFC Wimbledon face Milton Keynes Dons once again in a competitive fixture on 12 August 2014 in the first round of the Football League Cup, with MK Dons eventually winning the match 3–1.[50] The two sides met once again on 7 October 2014, with AFC Wimbledon achieving a first memorable 3–2 win over their rivals in the second round of the Football League Trophy following a late goal from Adebayo Akinfenwa.[51] The Dons also reached the FA Cup third round for the first time in their history on 5 January 2015, eventually succumbing 2–1 to Liverpool with Steven Gerrard scoring both goals.[52] AFC Wimbledon finished the season in a mediocre 15th place after a disappointing run of form saw them finish the season without a win in their last eight league fixtures.

More than 20,000 AFC Wimbledon fans were present at the 2016 Football League Two play-off Final at Wembley Stadium to see the club promoted to League One after a 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle.

The 2015–16 season was AFC Wimbledon's fifth consecutive season in League Two. Despite getting the season off to a mediocre start, the Dons finished the season strongly, winning seven out of their last 10 league matches to ensure that the club would confirm their highest ever League Two finish of seventh place and qualification to the 2016 Football League play-offs.[53] A record home attendance of 4,870 turned out to see AFC Wimbledon beat Accrington Stanley 1–0 in the first leg of the play-off semi-final on 14 May 2016 (exactly 28 years to the day since the original Wimbledon famously won the 1988 FA Cup Final against Liverpool) following a dramatic extra time winner from academy product Tom Beere.[54] This goal ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides as AFC Wimbledon went on to win 3–2 on aggregate after a 2–2 draw in the reverse fixture.[55] This win earned them a place in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium against Plymouth Argyle. The fixture was scheduled for 30 May 2016, exactly 14 years to the day since the club's foundation.[11] AFC Wimbledon ultimately triumphed 2–0 on the day in front of a crowd of 57,956.[56]

League One (2016–present)

The 2016–17 season saw AFC Wimbledon compete in League One for the first time in their history. They remained unbeaten in the South London derby fixtures, recording two draws against Millwall, a home draw against Charlton Athletic, and a memorable 2–1 away win at The Valley on 17 September 2016.[57] AFC Wimbledon also faced Milton Keynes Dons for the first time at Kingsmeadow on 14 March 2017, going on to triumph 2–0.[58] The club ultimately finished 15th in the league, after a disappointing slump saw them win just five out of their last twenty two league matches between January and April. AFC Wimbledon made an equally slow start to the 2017–18 campaign, managing just five wins in their first twenty league matches between August and December. On 3 December 2017, the club recorded a memorable 3–1 win over South London derby rivals Charlton Athletic in the Second Round of the FA Cup.[59] The club were subsequently rewarded by being drawn away against Tottenham Hotspur in the Third Round with the match being played at Wembley Stadium on 7 January 2018. On 13 December 2017, the club received a further boost after being granted permission to begin work on constructing a new 11,000-seater stadium (which could be expanded to hold up to 20,000 in the future) on the site of Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. The new ground will be only 250 yards away from the original Plough Lane, Wimbledon's home from 1912 until 1991.[7]

Season-by-season record

See also: List of AFC Wimbledon seasons
Season Division Position Significant Events
2002 – AFC Wimbledon were formed and accepted into the Combined Counties League Premier Division
2002–03 Combined Counties League Premier Division 3 Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup 2nd Round
2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Division 1 Champions, Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup Winners, FA Vase 3rd Round
2004–05 Isthmian League Division One 1 Champions, Isthmian League Cup Quarter-final, FA Trophy 1st Round, FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
2005–06 Isthmian League Premier Division 4 FA Trophy 1st Round, FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
2006–07 Isthmian League Premier Division 5 FA Trophy 2nd Round, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
2007–08 Isthmian League Premier Division 3 Play-off Final Winners, FA Trophy 3rd Round, FA 3rd Qualifying Round
2008–09 Conference South 1 Champions, Conference League Cup 1st Round, FA Trophy 1st Round, FA Cup 1st Round
2009–10 Conference National 8 FA Trophy 3rd Round, FA Cup 1st Round
2010–11 Conference National 2 Play-off Final Winners, FA Trophy 2nd Round, FA Cup 2nd Round
2011–12 Football League Two 16 FA Cup 2nd Round, Football League Cup Preliminary Round, Football League Trophy 3rd Round
2012–13 Football League Two 20 FA Cup 2nd Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 1st Round
2013–14 Football League Two 20 FA Cup 1st Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 1st Round
2014–15 Football League Two 15 FA Cup 3rd Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 3rd Round
2015–16 Football League Two 7 Play-off Final Winners, FA Cup 1st Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 1st Round
2016–17 Football League One 15 FA Cup 3rd Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 2nd Round
2017–18 Football League One TBC FA Cup 3rd Round, Football League Cup 1st Round, Football League Trophy 2nd Round

Crest and colours

The club crest, which is based on the coat of arms of the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon, features a black double headed eagle in reference to a local legend that Julius Caesar once made camp on Wimbledon Common, this symbol being his own attributed coat of arms. The crest is designed to replicate, as closely as legally possible, the crest of the original Wimbledon F.C. in order to reflect the fact that AFC Wimbledon see themselves as a direct continuation of the club that existed before the relocation and renaming as Milton Keynes Dons.

The colours that were chosen for the AFC Wimbledon kit were the royal blue and yellow traditionally associated with the rise of the original Wimbledon F.C. to the top of the Football League (rather than the darker navy blue and yellow that Wimbledon F.C. were wearing at the time, which had been a recent adaptation in 1993). The first ever kit, which was used only during the pre-season friendlies of 2002, consisted of a royal blue shirt, white shorts and white socks. Since then, the home kit has always been predominantly all royal blue with yellow detailing. The away kit used between 2002 and 2004 was white, however since then it has usually been predominantly yellow with blue detailing.

To mark their first game in the Football League on 6 August 2011 against Bristol Rovers, the team wore a white and blue commemorative kit which was based on that worn by the original Wimbledon F.C. during 1977–78 in order to remember their own first season as a member of the Football League in the old Fourth Division (now League Two). To prevent copyright infringement, a single blue stripe replaced the three trade mark stripes of the Adidas original and the shirts were emblazoned with a modified crest for the occasion.[60]

Sponsorship and kit manufacturer

AFC Wimbledon have been sponsored by computer games developers Sports Interactive, creators of the Championship Manager and Football Manager series, since the club's inception in 2002; the Football Manager logo features on the home kit whilst the SI logo appears on the team's away strip. SI managing director Miles Jacobson said of the sponsorship deal: "We are huge supporters of grass roots football. Most of us play grass roots football at some level (or in my case, below grass roots!), and we know that that is where the stars from tomorrow are going to come from."[61] The idea for Sports Interactive sponsorship came from Nick Robinson, who was an employee at Eidos, Sports Interactive's then-publishers. However, Eidos was not willing to fund the deal, and so Sports Interactive found the cash itself.[61]

Paul Strank Roofing Ltd. first became a sponsor of AFC Wimbledon in 2006, Strank being a lifelong Wimbledon F.C. supporter. In the Summer of 2008, in one of the club's biggest ever sponsorship agreements, the main stand at Kingsmeadow was renamed the Paul Strank Stand in honour of one of AFC Wimbledon's biggest benefactors.[62]

The kit used by the club in its inaugural pre-season friendlies in 2002 was manufactured by Umbro and lent to the club by shirt sponsors Sports Interactive, as the team strip supplied by Tempest Sports [63] was not ready in time. However, from 2002–03 until 2013–14 the kit was manufactured exclusively by Wimbledon-based company Tempest Sports. For this reason the South Stand at Kingsmeadow was known as the Tempest End between 12 August 2005 and 23 July 2013.[64]

On 11 February 2014 the club announced that their long standing agreement with Tempest Sports would come to an end, and a four-year deal was signed with British kit maker Admiral Sportswear to supply the club's playing kits and training wear for the 2014–15 season onwards.[65]

During 2017 it was announced that the club has agreed a deal with Puma sportswear to produce team kit from the 2018–19 season.

Kit history

[66]

Year Kit Manufacturer Sponsor
2002 England Umbro England Championship Manager
2002–12 England Tempest Sports England Sports Interactive
2012–14 England Football Manager (home) / Sports Interactive (away)
2014– England Admiral Sportswear
2017– Germany Puma (3rd kit)

Mascot

"Haydon" the mascot of AFC Wimbledon.

From 2000 to June 2003, the original Wimbledon F.C. had used a Womble named "Wandle", named after the local River Wandle, as a club mascot. However, in light of the controversy over the moving of the club to Milton Keynes, the licence to use the character was withdrawn by the Wombles' creator, Elisabeth Beresford as a protest.[67]

In 2006, AFC Wimbledon agreed a licensing deal for a new mascot to represent the club, once again choosing the character of a Womble due to their famed association with Wimbledon Common. After a naming competition in which the final name was chosen by Beresford herself, the club announced that the new Womble would be known as "Haydon" after Haydons Road, the nearest railway station to Wimbledon F.C.'s original home ground, Plough Lane.

Haydon's first ever appearance at a home game was on 26 August 2006 at a 1–1 draw with Boreham Wood in the Isthmian League Premier Division. He made his on-field debut as a substitute in the Wimbledon Heroes v Chelsea Legends game on 7 May 2007. He wears the team's current home strip at Kingsmeadow fixtures, where he can be found every game wandering around the terraces entertaining and encouraging fans. He has taken part in numerous events in order to raise money for charity, including running the London Marathon in 2010 and taking part in the Mascot Grand National in which he finished 19th in 2009. On 9 September 2012 Haydon helped raise funds for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation by taking part in the AFC Wimbledon Mascot Triathlon on Wimbledon Common. The event raised over £600 for the charity thanks to donations and sponsorship from local businesses.

Rivalries

Milton Keynes Dons

The most obvious of AFC Wimbledon's rivals are Milton Keynes Dons, the club which resulted from the relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes in 2003[68] although many AFC Wimbledon fans feel it is a moral objection to them rather than a normal sporting rivalry. The two sides have met three times in cup competitions, all games at Milton Keynes, of which AFC Wimbledon have won one. Owing to MK Dons' relegation from the Championship in the 2015–16 season, alongside AFC Wimbledon's promotion from League Two, AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons competed in the same league division for the first time in the 2016–17 season. Both clubs won one and lost one in that season's league matches.

2 December 2012 (2012-12-02) FA Cup R2 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
12:30 GMT (UTC) Gleeson 45'
Otsemobor 90+2'		 Report Midson 59' Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 16,459
Referee: Scott Mathieson
12 August 2014 (2014-08-12) League Cup R1 Milton Keynes Dons 3–1 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
19:45 BST (UTC+1) McFadzean 19'
Powell 49'
Afobe 76'		 Report Tubbs 90+4' (pen.) Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 7,174
Referee: Dean Whitestone
7 October 2014 (2014-10-07) League Trophy R2 South Milton Keynes Dons 2–3 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Powell 2'
Afobe 40'		 Report Azeez 26'
Rigg 68'
Akinfenwa 76'		 Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 4,407
Referee: Tim Robinson
10 December 2016 (2016-12-10) League One Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
13:00 GMT Bowditch 63' (pen.) Report Whelpdale Yellow card 60'
Robinson Yellow card 67'		 Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 11,185 (1,967 AFC Wimbledon fans)
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
14 March 2017 (2017-03-14) League One AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Milton Keynes Dons Kingston-upon-Thames
19:45 GMT (UTC) Reeves 61'
Taylor 68'		 Report Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4,112
22 September 2017 (2017-09-22) League One AFC Wimbledon 0–2 Milton Keynes Dons Kingston upon Thames
19:45 BST (UTC+1) Taylor Template:Miss pen. [69] Seager 7'
Ariyibi 26'		 Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 3,973 (c.300 MK Dons fans)
Referee: Mike Jones
13 January 2018 (2018-01-13) League One Milton Keynes Dons 0–0 AFC Wimbledon Milton Keynes
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Stadium mk
Attendance: 9,504 (705 AFC Wimbledon fans)
Referee: Paul Tierney

Crawley Town

One of AFC Wimbledon's main rivals are Crawley Town.[70] This is largely due to their frequently fractious meetings at a non-league level since 2009. The two sides did not play each other between 2012 and 2015 due to Crawley's promotion to League One. However Crawley's relegation during the 2014–15 Football League One season means the two sides played each other on 15 August 2015 which the Dons won 2–1 after going a goal down.

Sutton United

AFC Wimbledon have never shared a league with Sutton United, but due to the geographical proximity the two clubs share a friendly rivalry. Sutton were the first team to play the reformed Dons on 10 July 2002, defeating them 4–0 at Gander Green Lane.[71][72] Before they met in the FA Cup in 2017, the most recent competitive match between the two sides was in the 2013 Surrey Senior Cup semi-final at Gander Green Lane on 11 April 2013, a game which Sutton won 5–2.[73] The clubs played each other in the third round of the FA Cup on 7 January 2017, which resulted in a 0–0 draw.[74] The replay took place at Kingsmeadow on 17 January 2017, with Sutton winning 3–1.[75]

South London derby

The club's promotion to League One for the 2016–17 season saw them play against fellow South London sides Charlton Athletic and Millwall.

9 November 2009 (2009-11-09) FA Cup R1 Millwall 4–1 AFC Wimbledon Bermondsey
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 9,453
6 August 2013 (2013-08-06) League Cup R1 Millwall 2–1 AFC Wimbledon Bermondsey
Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 4,443
17 September 2016 (2016-09-17) League One Charlton Athletic 1–2 AFC Wimbledon Charlton
Lookman 8' Report Poleon 78'
Barnett 85'		 Stadium: The Valley (London)
Attendance: 11,927
Referee: Oliver Langford
22 November 2016 (2016-11-22) League One Millwall 0–0 AFC Wimbledon Bermondsey
Report Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 8,614
Referee: Graham Horwood
2 January 2017 (2017-01-02) League One AFC Wimbledon 2–2 Millwall Kingston-upon-Thames
13:00 GMT (UTC) Taylor 12'
Elliot 51'		 Report O'Brien 5'
Morison 40'		 Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: 4,742
Referee: Nigel Miller
11 February 2017 (2017-02-11) League One AFC Wimbledon 1–1 Charlton Athletic Kingston-upon-Thames
15:00 GMT (UTC) Elliot 90+2' Report Holmes 8' Stadium: Kingsmeadow
28 October 2017 (2017-10-28) League One Charlton Athletic 1–0 AFC Wimbledon The Valley
15:00 BST Bauer Yellow card 73'
Holmes 78'
Kashi Yellow card 81'		 [1] Francomb Yellow card 18'
Trotter Yellow card 37'
Long Yellow card 57'
Fuller Yellow card 78'		 Attendance: 12,575
Referee: Ben Toner
3 December 2017 FA Cup R2 AFC Wimbledon 3–1 Charlton Athletic Kingsmeadow
14:00 GMT McDonald 10'
Taylor 70' 81'		 Report Ahearne-Grant 22' Attendance: 3,270
Referee: James Linington

Non-League

AFC Wimbledon have had rivalries with Carshalton Athletic, Tooting & Mitcham United and Hampton & Richmond Borough from the club's non-league days. Whilst they used to groundshare with Kingstonian, this was not considered to be a rival as such.

Stadium

Kingsmeadow on 18 August 2007 as AFC Wimbledon beat Ramsgate 2–0 in their first league fixture of the 2007–08 season in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Main article: Kingsmeadow

The club play at the 4,850 capacity Kingsmeadow[76][77] in Kingston upon Thames. Until 2017, AFC Wimbledon groundshared with Kingstonian with the Dons being the landlords and Kingstonian the tenants. In November 2015 AFC Wimbledon supporters backed the idea of selling Kingsmeadow to Chelsea F.C. to help fund a planned new ground in Merton.[78][79][80] On 13 December 2017, the contract was signed for the new stadium to be built.[81]

Ground purchase and debt

Upon their foundation in 2002, AFC Wimbledon entered into a ground–sharing arrangement with Kingstonian to play home fixtures at Kingsmeadow in the neighbouring borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Kingsmeadow had been the home of Kingstonian since the club moved there in 1989 from its traditional Richmond Road ground. However, the club had hit major financial difficulties following relegation from the Conference. Administrators sold the club, including the lease to the stadium, to businessman Rajesh Khosla and his son, Anup. The Khoslas subsequently transferred ownership of the stadium away from the club and into separate subsidiary companies privately owned by the Khosla family, in a move widely seen as asset stripping.[citation needed]

After an SGM, it was felt by the AFC Wimbledon board of directors that securing ownership of Kingsmeadow would safeguard the ground for the future of both clubs. In March 2003 the Dons Trust members voted to purchase part of the lease for Kingsmeadow and in June 2003 the contract for buying the lease to the stadium was agreed with Rajesh Khosla;[82] £3 million needed to be raised. This purchase took place a few weeks before the proposed formation of the Kingstonian Supporters Trust which AFC Wimbledon's Supporters Trust had been advising. That trust itself would have considered purchasing the lease to the ground had it been able to raise the funds.

Various innovative methods of fundraising (primarily a share issue offer to supporters which quickly realised £1.2m, and the Dons Trust Bond) meant that the debt to Mr Khosla was steadily reduced. On 30 March 2006, a Dons Trust meeting was held at which a majority voted to accept a commercial loan from Barclays in order to clear the outstanding debt to Mr Khosla, which was at a much higher rate of interest. On 24 November 2006 a statement on the website finally confirmed that the club had taken the Barclays loan, and had repaid Mr Khosla in full. Although the club has now settled its debt to Mr Khosla, around £300,000 is still owed in the form of the commercial loan, with a further £300,000 to Dons Trust bondholders.

The club continues to work on new ways of fundraising to clear the debt once and for all. Meanwhile, the future of the ground is secured as a home venue both for AFC Wimbledon and equally importantly for Kingstonian F.C. Kingstonian lease the ground at a nominal rate, paid for in part by the proceeds of an annual pre-season friendly between the two clubs, the Trevor Jones Memorial Trophy. However, AFC Wimbledon ceased to take part after 2008, from then on the competition was to take place between Kingstonian, Woking and a squad from Fulham.

Expansion of Kingsmeadow

At the end of the 2011–12 season, AFC Wimbledon commenced work on building a new 1,000 capacity all-seater stand to replace the existing Kingston Road End. This was completed by the 13 October 2012 game against Cheltenham Town which saw an attendance of 4,409.[83] The new stand was named the North Stand before being renamed The Nongshim Stand and in July 2015 the John Green Stand following sponsorship deals. The work increased the stadium capacity to approximately 4,850 with 2,265 seats.[76]

Future relocation plans

Main article: New Plough Lane

An early ambition of the newly formed AFC Wimbledon was to be able to play back in the London Borough of Merton, where the district of Wimbledon is located. This intention was formalised in a statement of August 2012, in which the club revealed initial proposals to build a stadium on the site of Wimbledon Stadium, located on same street as Wimbledon F.C.'s home from 1912 to 1991, Plough Lane.[84][85] A planning application for an 11,000 capacity stadium, along with 600 residential units, retail and commercial space, and a leisure club, was submitted in November 2014.[86] Permission was granted in December 2015.[87] At the same time, the club reached a deal, backed by its own supporters to sell the Kingsmeadow ground to Chelsea F.C., which will use the ground for its youth teams and women's football team.[78][79][80] The deal was met with concern that there would be major negative repercussions for the future of Kingsmeadow and Kingstonian, rendering the non-league club homeless for a period, as well as a depleted fanbase.[88] Final permissions for the new stadium were granted in December 2017, and it is due to be completed in time for the 2019–20 season.[89][90]

AFCW plc was placed under the ownership of The Dons Trust, a supporters' group which is pledged to retain at least 75% control of that ownership. In 2003 a minority interest was sold in a share issue in order to finance the purchase of Kingsmeadow; given the circumstances of the club's formation, this decision raised concerns among some members but was quickly accepted.[citation needed]

The Dons Trust is an industrial and provident society registered with the Financial Services Authority as "Wimbledon Football Club Supporters' Society Limited". This is not to be confused with Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) although WISA has as one of its stated constitutional aims "to purchase shares in AFC Wimbledon's holding company".

The chief executive, Erik Samuelson, is a retired accountant, who carries out his full-time duties in return for the nominal sum of one guinea a year, because "it sounded posher than a pound".[91]

Community work

The club places very great emphasis on its role as a social focus for the entire local community, and part of this role is to offer the chance to play football to all. For this reason AFC Wimbledon established the Community Football Scheme (CFS) in 2004. On 1 May 2010, AFC Wimbledon's Community Football Scheme was awarded the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award, the highest graded award attainable in the FA Charter Standard Club Programme, in recognition of the club's outstanding coaching facilities in the local community. The club offer a number of different football courses open to children of any ability aged 4–14, where they can learn new skills and develop their confidence and talent in a fun and enjoyable coaching environment, receiving quality coaching from FA qualified coaches. The club aim to reach as many children as possible through their football and multi-sports programme by having vital links with their surrounding boroughs, most notably Merton and Kingston, which has allowed them to become one of the main providers of sports coaching in their local community.[92]

AFC Wimbledon also offers a Schools Coaching Programme in Merton, Kingston and neighbouring boroughs. The club look to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for both Primary and Secondary school children through football and a range of other sports. The sessions are run with an emphasis on learning, development and health awareness in a fun coaching environment. On 15 March 2012, coaches from the CFS, in partnership with the Football League's main sponsor nPower, engaged in a community outreach scheme promoting the FA's 'Respect' campaign to school pupils. Nearly 2,000 children aged 10 and 11 were taught how abusive verbal and physical behaviour on the pitch to both players and referees should never be tolerated under any circumstances. The aim of the nationwide 'Respect' scheme in schools is to eradicate racism, homophobia, violence and dissent from the next generation of footballers and supporters.[93]

On 27 March 2012, AFC Wimbledon became the first football club to be presented with the Prime Minister's Big Society Award by Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson for outstanding contributions to the local community. The club was recognised for the honour because it offers a wide range of community development schemes including 19 youth and women's teams, school health and sport projects (hundreds of children a week participate in the outreach schemes provided) and a range of innovative activities, including a stadium school to help children get to grips with maths by using football as a teaching aid.[94]

Congratulating AFC Wimbledon on receiving the award, then Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as saying:

The team behind AFC Wimbledon have not just given fans a local club to support, but much more than this, they have united a community, given them the chance to have a real stake in their club's future and made a huge difference to the lives of many people in the area at the same time. Football is a team game, and AFC Wimbledon have shown just what can happen when people don't just sit on the sidelines, but choose to get involved and really pull together – a great example of the Big Society. Congratulations to AFC Wimbledon and all their fans and supporters whose determination and devotion has created a community-owned club that has gone from strength to strength.[95]

Accepting the award, Erik Samuelson, chief executive of AFC Wimbledon stated:

This club's achievements show that a co-operatively owned football club can be faithful to its high ethical standards, keep a keen focus on community involvement, be financially sustainable – and still be successful on the pitch. Everyone who has contributed to the club's success and this award should be very proud.

— Erik Samuelson, statement on the Number 10 official website[96]

Players

Current squad

As of 7 December 2017.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG George Long (on loan from Sheffield United)
2 DF England ENG Barry Fuller (captain)
3 DF Wales WAL Jonathan Meades
4 DF Nigeria NGA Deji Oshilaja
5 DF England ENG Will Nightingale
6 DF England ENG Paul Robinson
7 MF England ENG George Francomb
8 MF Comoros COM Nadjim Abdou (on loan from Millwall)
9 FW Ghana GHA Kwesi Appiah
10 FW England ENG Cody McDonald
11 MF England ENG Harry Forrester (on loan from Rangers)
14 MF England ENG Liam Trotter
17 MF England ENG Andy Barcham
18 MF England ENG Dean Parrett
19 MF England ENG Tom Soares
20 DF England ENG Toby Sibbick
No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF Albania ALB Egli Kaja
23 DF England ENG Callum Kennedy
24 GK England ENG Joe McDonnell
25 GK New Zealand NZL Nik Tzanev
26 MF England ENG Anthony Hartigan
27 MF Turkey TUR Neşet Bellikli
28 MF England ENG Alfie Egan
31 DF England ENG Seth Owens
32 DF England ENG Darius Charles
33 FW Montserrat MSR Lyle Taylor
35 FW England ENG Great Evans
36 MF England ENG Ossama Ashley
37 DF England ENG Osaze Urhoghide
38 MF England ENG Ethan Nelson-Roberts
39 FW England ENG Joe Pigott

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
29 FW England ENG Jayden Antwi (at Farnborough)
30 DF England ENG Paul Kalambayi (at Tonbridge Angels)

For youth teams see AFC Wimbledon Development Squad and Academy.

Player of the year, club captains and top scorers

The following table shows players who have previously been selected to be club captain, have been The Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) player of the year and have been the player who scored the most league goals in a season (including penalties) in chronological order:

Season Club captain Player of the year Top scorer Goals
2002–03 England Joe Sheerin England Lee Sidwell England Kevin Cooper 37
2003–04 England Joe Sheerin England Matt Everard England Kevin Cooper 53
2004–05 England Steve Butler England Richard Butler England Richard Butler 24
2005–06 England Steve Butler England Andy Little New Zealand Shane Smeltz 19
2006–07 England Chris Gell England Antony Howard England Roscoe D'Sane 17
2007–08 England Jason Goodliffe England Jason Goodliffe Scotland Steven Ferguson 10
2008–09 England Jason Goodliffe England Ben Judge England Jon Main 33
2009–10 England Paul Lorraine England Danny Kedwell England Danny Kedwell 21
2010–11 England Danny Kedwell England Sam Hatton England Danny Kedwell 23
2011–12 England Jamie Stuart England Sammy Moore England Jack Midson 18
2012–13 England Mat Mitchel-King England Jack Midson England Jack Midson 13
2013–14 Republic of Ireland Alan Bennett England Barry Fuller England Michael Smith 9
2014–15 England Barry Fuller England Adebayo Akinfenwa England Adebayo Akinfenwa 13
2015–16 England Barry Fuller England Paul Robinson Montserrat Lyle Taylor 23
2016–17 England Barry Fuller England Tom Elliott Montserrat Lyle Taylor 14

Most league appearances and goals

For a list of all AFC Wimbledon players who hold appearance or goal-scoring records see List of AFC Wimbledon records and statistics.

Notable former players

For a list of all AFC Wimbledon players with articles on Wikipedia, see Category:AFC Wimbledon players.

Wimbledon Old Players Association

As part of WISA's campaign to try and reclaim the history of Wimbledon Football Club, the Wimbledon Old Players Association (WOPA) was formed in 2005. Membership of WOPA is open to all former Wimbledon F.C. and AFC Wimbledon players and managers. Among the sixty founding members were Glenn Mulcaire, who scored AFC Wimbledon's first ever goal in 2002[97] and Kevin Cooper, who remains the club's all-time highest goal scorer with 107 goals between August 2002 and May 2004, as well as retaining the title for the most goals scored in a season with 66 during 2003–04. Others that joined included some of the legends of the old Wimbledon F.C. such as John Fashanu, Dave Beasant, Efan Ekoku, Neil Sullivan, Dave Bassett, Wally Downes, Marcus Gayle, Neal Ardley, Alan Kimble, Andy Thorn, Roger Joseph, Dickie Guy, Allen Batsford, Roger Connell, Ian Cooke, Roy Law and Steve Galliers.[98] On 16 July 2006, WOPA fielded a team in the Masters Football Tournament at Wembley Arena, with AFC Wimbledon's backing.[99] The team included Carlton Fairweather, Scott Fitzgerald, Marcus Gayle, and Dean Holdsworth.

In June 2010, Vinnie Jones, another former player of Wimbledon F.C., donated his 1988 FA Cup winners medal to the fans of AFC Wimbledon. The medal is on display at Kingsmeadow.

Management

Managerial history

As of 28 July 2017.

These statistics incorporate results for league matches (including Play-off matches) and results in all major League Cup competitions (including the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup, the Isthmian League Cup, the Conference League Cup, the Football League Cup and the Football League Trophy) as well as results in the FA Vase, the FA Trophy and the FA Cup.

Name Place of Birth From Until Managed* Won Drawn Lost Win % Honours
England Terry Eames Kennington 13 June 2002 13 February 2004* 82 69 4 9 84.15
England Nick English 13 February 2004 11 May 2004 21 19 2 0 90.48 2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Division Champions
2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup winners
Northern Ireland Dave Anderson Belfast 11 May 2004 2 May 2007 167 98 40 29 58.68 2004–05 Isthmian League First Division Champions
England Terry Brown Hillingdon 15 May 2007 19 September 2012 270 133 54 83 49.26 2007–08 Isthmian League Premier Division play-off winners
2008–09 Conference South Champions
2010–11 Conference National play-off winners
England Simon Bassey Lambeth 19 September 2012 10 October 2012 4 2 0 2 50.00
England Neal Ardley Epsom 10 October 2012 present 251 87 77 87 34.66 2015–16 Football League Two play-off winners

* Terry Eames was suspended as manager on 13th February but not officially dismissed until 18th February 2004. The hearing investigated three charges against Eames. They were that he made unauthorised and untrue representations to a number of the coaching staff, that he falsely informed members of the coaching staff that the club had decided not to support his plans for youth football and required him to make immediate budgetary cut-backs, and that he dispensed with the services of members of the coaching staff citing falsified reasons.[100]

Ladies

Main article: AFC Wimbledon Ladies

AFC Wimbledon Ladies switched affiliation from Wimbledon F.C. after the 2002–03 season.

Chris Lyons is the manager and the team competes in the PL South East Division One.

Wimbledon Ladies' former player Sophie Hosking won an Olympic gold medal for Team GB in the women's lightweight double sculls at the London 2012 games. Hosking continues to be an avid supporter of AFC Wimbledon and demonstrated as such when she painted her fingernails in the club's royal blue and yellow colours for the Olympic final at Dorney Lake on 4 August 2012.

Club honours

For a more detailed account of the club's records and statistics, see List of AFC Wimbledon records and statistics.
Statistics are correct as of 2 May 2009.[101]

League honours

Cups and Trophies

Minor honours

Awards

References

  1. ^ Parker, Raj; Stride, Steve; Turvey, Alan (28 May 2002). Report of the Independent Commission on Wimbledon F.C.'s wish to relocate to Milton Keynes (PDF). The Football Association. pp. 17–18, 61–67. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2004. Retrieved 13 December 2014. The proposal has met with considerable opposition, and not just from the WFC fans. ... [M]ost of the hundreds (over 600) of communications we have received have argued against the proposal. They have generally been from individual WFC fans. 57. Supporters' associations and individual fans from many other clubs and people from as far afield as the United States, Australia (Wimbledon Supporters Downunder), Russia and Norway have also expressed similar views. ... The fans are not of the opinion that a club in Milton Keynes is better than no club at all. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c White, Jim (11 January 2003). "Pitch battle". The Guardian. London: Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 5 June 2009. Ten miles from Selhurst Park, in Kingston upon Thames, the following Saturday, the streets around the tidy little Kingsmeadow football ground are filling up an hour before kick-off. It is here that Wimbledon fans, fed up with the direction in which the owners were leading the object of their love, have set up a football club of their own. ... Wimbledon fans were in seemingly perpetual dispute with the club's owners. At times last season, the vitriol was so intense that the directors' box at Selhurst Park would be surrounded for entire games with supporters hurling venom at its occupants. ... Early in 2001, Wimbledon's owners announced that they intended to move the club to the Buckinghamshire new town. The fans were adamant that it should remain in their community. 'They wanted to steal our club,' says Kevin Rye, of the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (Wisa). 'Nick it and move it 70 miles north. That's what it is: nothing short of theft.'
  3. ^ "Dons get Milton Keynes green light". BBC. 28 May 2002. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  4. ^ "AFC Wimbledon Website, Honours". AFC Wimbledon. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon set English record". BBC. 13 November 2004. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  6. ^ a b "The REAL Wimbledon are promoted to the Football League". Soccernews.com. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon can build new stadium at Plough Lane after council agreement". bbc.co.uk. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  8. ^ "Inside Sport: Hammam cast in villain's role as Dons seek happy ending". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 December 2012.
  9. ^ "Dip in attendances lower than breakaway club AFC Wimbledon's". BBC. 6 June 2003. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  10. ^ "AFC Wimbledon feel 'sense of wonder' after odyssey to Football League". the guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  11. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon: A Local Football Club's History". katzpaw.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  12. ^ Will Buckley (14 July 2002). "A club is born; The Observer". Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  13. ^ "A Brief History of Local Football". Merton Council Official Website. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ "AFC Wimbledon: A Local Football Club's History". katzpaw.co.uk. Retrieved 26 May 2016.
  15. ^ Will Buckley (14 July 2002). "A club is born | Football | The Observer". Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  16. ^ "AFC Wimbledon match report vs. Sutton United". AFC Wimbledon. 10 July 2002. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Combined Counties Football League Premier Division league table 2002–03". AFC Wimbledon. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "AFC Wimbledon sack eames for 'gross misconduct'". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
  19. ^ "AFC Wimbledon season 2003–04". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  20. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 4 – 1 North Greenford United". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  21. ^ "Managerial Appointment". AFC Wimbledon. 4 December 2004. Retrieved 3 June 2009. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Walton & Hersham 1 – 2 AFC Wimbledon". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  23. ^ a b "10 things you probably didn't know about the Dons". exetercityfc.co.uk. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Hendon 0 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 12 May 2006. Retrieved 24 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Fisher Athletic 2 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
  26. ^ "Match report for Surrey Senior Cup vs. Kingstonian". AFC Wimbledon. 12 May 2006. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 24 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "AFC Wimbledon deducted 18 points". BBC Football. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  28. ^ "FA cuts AFC Wimbledon punishment". BBC Football. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  29. ^ "Bromley 1 – 0 AFC Wimbledon". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  30. ^ "Dave Anderson Leaves". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  31. ^ "Dons Announce New Manager". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  32. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 3 – 1 AFC Hornchurch". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  33. ^ "Staines Town 1 – 2 AFC Wimbledon". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  34. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 3 – 0 St Albans City". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  35. ^ "AFC Wimbledon ground guide". Football Ground Guide.com. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.[permanent dead link]
  36. ^ "AFC Wimbledon wrap up promotion". BBC. 25 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 6 – 1 Fleetwood Town". BBC Football. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  38. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 0–0 Luton Town (4–3 on pens)". BBC. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  39. ^ "Terry and Stuart depart". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  40. ^ "Former Dons player is back as our new boss". AFC Wimbledon. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  41. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  42. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–1 Fleetwood Town". BBC Football. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  43. ^ Two footballers charged with match fixing Croydon Guardian
  44. ^ "Two Whitehawk FC players charged with match fixing". The Argus. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  45. ^ "Match-fixing: Third footballer charged". BBC News. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  46. ^ "Third former Whitehawk footballer charged in match-fixing investigation". The Argus. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  47. ^ Businessmen and footballer jailed over match-fixing (BBC)
  48. ^ Football match-fixing trio sent to prison (The Independent)
  49. ^ AFC Wimbledon docked three points for ineligible Jake Nicholson (BBC Football)
  50. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 3 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  51. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 2 – 3 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  52. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1 – 2 Liverpool". BBC Football. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  53. ^ "AFC Wimbledon seal League Two play-off place with Stevenage draw". Evening Standard. 30 April 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  54. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–0 Accrington Stanley". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 May 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  55. ^ "Accrington Stanley 2–2 AFC Wimbledon (Aggregate 2–3)". BBC Football. Retrieved 21 May 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  56. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Football. Retrieved 30 May 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  57. ^ "Charlton Athletic 1–2 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Football. Retrieved 17 September 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Football. Retrieved 4 May 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  59. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 3–1 Charlton Athletic". BBC Football. Retrieved 3 December 2017. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  60. ^ "AFC Wimbledon Kit". historicalkits.co.uk. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  61. ^ a b Tom Bramwell (10 July 2002). "Sports Interactive sponsors AFC Wimbledon". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
  62. ^ "Paul Strank Roofing Ltd. Sporting Sponsorship". paulstrankroofing.co.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
  63. ^ Marc Jones, designer of first 3 kits worn by AFC Wimbledon
  64. ^ "The Tempest End". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  65. ^ "Dons announce new kit deal". Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  66. ^ "AFC Wimbledon". Historical Football Kits. D & M Moor. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  67. ^ Plummer, David (13 May 2003). "Even the Wombles refuse to follow Wimbledon to Milton Keynes". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  68. ^ Gratton, Aaron (17 June 2014). "MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon Is No Rivalry". The Huffington Post UK. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  69. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41275922
  70. ^ "2012–13 Football Rivalry Survey Results". The Chris Whiting Show. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  71. ^ "Sutton United 4 AFC Wimbledon 0: Match Report". AFC Wimbledon official website. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  72. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4097572/Sutton-0-0-Wimbledon-National-League-force-replay-Neil-Ardley-s-team-held-stalemate.html
  73. ^ "Sutton v. Wimbledon: Match Report". Sutton United official website. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ "FA Cup third round: League Two Newport or Plymouth to visit Liverpool". BBC Sport Football. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  75. ^ Sutton’s Biamou and Fitchett strike late to stun 10-man Wimbledon in FA Cup The Guardian, 17 January 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  76. ^ a b "AFC Wimbledon: The Cherry Red Records Stadium". Football Ground Guide. 4 February 2016. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  77. ^ "Latest news". Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  78. ^ a b Matt Lewis (17 November 2015). "Chelsea purchase of Kingsmeadow: AFC Wimbledon fans overwhelmingly approve sale of ground to Blues". getwestlondon.
  79. ^ a b "Chelsea close in on deal to buy AFC Wimbledon's Kingsmeadow ground". Mail Online. 17 November 2015.
  80. ^ a b Simon Johnson (17 November 2015). "Chelsea's £2m deal for Kingsmeadow moves Wimbledon a step closer to going home". Evening Standard.
  81. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5174933/AFC-Wimbledon-build-new-stadium-Plough-Lane.html
  82. ^ Open meeting re the purchase of Kingsmeadow Archived 10 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine Sunday 18 May 2003
  83. ^ "AFC Wimbledon 1–2 Cheltenham". BBC Sport.
  84. ^ Simmonds, Mike (7 July 2003). "Home Sweet Home". The Wimbledon Guardian.
  85. ^ "AFC Wimbledon announce plans to move back to Plough Lane". yourlocalguardian.co.uk. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  86. ^ Chris Slavin. "Planning application".
  87. ^ "AFC Wimbledon given permission to build new stadium at Plough Lane". The Guardian. 11 December 2015.
  88. ^ https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/25/kingstonian-kingsmeadow-lost-stadium-chelsea-afc-wimbledon
  89. ^ "Wimbledon Stadium demolition 'to start in April' – Haydons Road North Community Site". Haydonsroadnorthcommunity.wordpress.com. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  90. ^ Association, Press (13 December 2017). "AFC Wimbledon given permission to build new ground at Plough Lane". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  91. ^ "Resurrection awaits AFC Wimbledon or Luton Town in play-off final". The Guardian. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  92. ^ "AFC Wimbledon Community Football Scheme". AFC Wimbledon. Archived from the original on 26 March 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  93. ^ "AFC Wimbledon coaches call for Respect in schools". Wimbledon Guardian. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  94. ^ "AFC Wimbledon wins the Big Society Award". 10 Downing Street. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check |archiveurl= value (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  95. ^ "AFC Wimbledon wins the Big Society Award". Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  96. ^ Wimbledons wins the Big Society Award.
  97. ^ Crane, Rob (10 July 2002). "Match report Wednesday 10 July 2002 Pre-season friendly Bromley 2 – 1 AFC Wimbledon". AFC Wimbledon Official Website. Archived from the original on 5 June 2003. Retrieved 6 September 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  98. ^ A club is born, Will Buckley, The Guardian, 14 July 2002
  99. ^ "Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association news item re Wimbledon Old Players Association (WOPA)". Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association. 23 May 2006. Archived from the original on 7 January 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  100. ^ Robertson, Stuart (20 February 2004). "Non-League Notebook". The Independent. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  101. ^ Rundle. "Football Club History Database – Wimbledon".
  102. ^ "AFC Wimbledon show their class in Ramsey tournament". iomtoday.co.im. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  103. ^ "Match report for Lanes Cup vs. Tooting & Mitcham United 2007". AFC Wimbledon. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  104. ^ "Match report for Lanes Cup vs. Tooting & Mitcham United 2011". AFC Wimbledon. 1 April 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  105. ^ "Match report for London Senior Cup vs. Metropolitan Police F.C. 2009". AFC Wimbledon. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  106. ^ "Match report for Surrey Senior Cup vs. Walton & Hersham 2004". AFC Wimbledon. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  107. ^ "Match report for Surrey Senior Cup vs. Kingstonian 2005". AFC Wimbledon. 1 April 2012. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  108. ^ "AFC Wimbledon receive Big Society Award". The Football League. 29 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  109. ^ "BBC London Sports Awards 2008". BBC London Sports. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  110. ^ "FA Charter Standard Community Club Award". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 1 May 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  111. ^ "AFC Wimbledon receives Football League Award". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  112. ^ "AFC Wimbledon earn award". AFC Wimbledon. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
  113. ^ "AFC Wimbledon community coaches win Football League Award". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  114. ^ "AFC Wimbledon earn award". afcwimbledon.co.uk. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  115. ^ "Fair Play pays off". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  116. ^ "What's Happening At Kingsmeadow – Number 4". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  117. ^ a b "Dons pick up Isthmian Premier awards". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2008.
  118. ^ "What's Happening at Stratford-upon-Avon – Number 1". wimbledonheritage.co.uk. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AFC_Wimbledon&oldid=830233099"