AFC Wimbledon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
AFC Wimbledon

Full name	AFC Wimbledon
Nickname(s)	The Dons The Wombles
Founded	2002; 23 years ago (2002)
Ground	Plough Lane
Ground Capacity	9,215
Owner	The Dons Trust
Manager	Johnnie Jackson
League	League One
2018–19	League One, 20th of 24
Home colours Third colours

AFC Wimbledon is a professional football club from Wimbledon, London. The team plays in League One, which is the third level of English football.

The club was started in 2002 by fans of the old Wimbledon F.C. This happened after the Football Association allowed the original club to move to Milton Keynes. Most fans did not want their team to move so far away. They felt the club would no longer represent Wimbledon. The old club moved in 2003 and changed its name to Milton Keynes Dons in 2004.

When AFC Wimbledon was formed, it joined the Combined Counties Football League, which was the ninth level of English football. The club has been promoted six times in 13 seasons. They went from the ninth level all the way to the third level (League One).

AFC Wimbledon holds a record for the longest unbeaten run in English senior football. They played 78 league games in a row without losing between February 2003 and December 2004. They are also the first club created in the 21st century to reach the Football League.

The club first played at Kingsmeadow. They shared this ground with another club, Kingstonian. In November 2020, AFC Wimbledon moved to Plough Lane. This new stadium is very close to where the original Wimbledon team used to play. The new stadium can hold 9,215 fans.

Club History

How AFC Wimbledon Started

The Football Association decided on May 28, 2002, to let Wimbledon move to Milton Keynes. This decision was very unpopular with the club's loyal fans. Many fans stopped going to games at their old stadium.

After this decision, a group of Wimbledon supporters met to decide what to do. They agreed that the only way forward was to start a new club from scratch. On May 30, 2002, the idea of creating a new community-based club called AFC Wimbledon was shared. Fans started raising money to make it happen.

On June 13, 2002, the new club announced its manager, team colours, and badge. To find players quickly, AFC Wimbledon held trials on June 29, 2002. Anyone who thought they were good enough could try out. About 230 players showed up, and the first team was chosen from them.

Club Badge

The club's badge has a double-headed eagle. This eagle comes from Wimbledon’s coat of arms. On one wing, there is a gold rose from King Edward I's badge. On the other wing, there is a gold fret, which is a pattern from the arms of Merton Priory. Wimbledon is located in the borough of Merton.

Playing in Non-League Football (2002–2011)

Combined Counties League (2002–2004)

In the 2002–03 season, AFC Wimbledon played in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Their first game was a friendly match against Sutton United on July 10, 2002, which they lost 4–0. However, they finished third in the league in their first season. They almost won promotion, winning their last 11 league games.

Ryan Gray prepares to take a corner in a 2–1 win over AFC Wallingford on May 8, 2004, in AFC Wimbledon's final game in the Combined Counties League Premier Division.

In the 2003–04 season, AFC Wimbledon won their first 21 league games. They had an amazing run of 32 wins in a row over two seasons. The team finished as champions of the Combined Counties League without losing a single game. They won 42 games and drew four. AFC Wimbledon also won the league's Premier Challenge Cup, completing a double for the season.

Isthmian League (2004–2008)

Dave Anderson became the new manager in May 2004. Under him, AFC Wimbledon continued their winning streak in the 2004–05 season. They played in the Isthmian League First Division. They stayed at the top of the division all season and won the title easily. The Dons also won the Surrey Senior Cup, making it another double. During this season, AFC Wimbledon set a new record for the longest unbeaten league run in UK senior football. They went 78 league matches without a defeat between February 2003 and December 2004.

The 2005–06 season was tougher. After a good start, AFC Wimbledon struggled to stay in the play-off spots. They eventually reached the play-offs but lost 2–1 to Fisher Athletic. This meant they missed out on a third promotion in a row. They also reached the final of the Surrey Senior Cup again but lost to Kingstonian.

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

The 2006–07 season had some challenges, including a points deduction. Despite this, AFC Wimbledon qualified for the play-offs again. However, they lost 1–0 to Bromley in the semi-final. Manager Dave Anderson left the club after this.

Terry Brown became the new manager in May 2007. In the 2007–08 season, he led the club to promotion to the Conference South. The Dons finished third in the league and won their play-off matches, beating Staines Town 2–1 in the final.

The Conference (2008–2011)

Brown

Stuart

Johnson

Hatton

Gwillim

Gregory

Yussuff

Wellard

Mohamed

Kedwell

L. Moore

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

AFC Wimbledon spent most of the 2008–09 season at the top of the league. They became champions and were promoted to the Conference Premier. The match that secured their promotion had a record attendance of 4,722 fans at Kingsmeadow.

The 2009–10 season was their first in the Conference Premier. The Dons finished eighth, which was their first season not finishing in the top five.

In the 2010–11 season, AFC Wimbledon finished second in the Conference Premier, qualifying for the play-offs. They beat Fleetwood Town 8–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals. This was the biggest winning margin in the Conference Premier play-off history. In the final, at the City of Manchester Stadium, AFC Wimbledon beat Luton Town 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 0–0 draw. This victory meant promotion to the Football League. It was their fifth promotion in nine years. AFC Wimbledon became the first club formed in the 21st century to reach the Football League.

Playing in the Football League (2011–Present)

The 2011–12 season was AFC Wimbledon's first in League Two. They started well but finished 16th, safely away from the relegation zone.

AFC Wimbledon's rapid rise through the English football league system between 2002 and 2024. It took the club just 14 years to progress from the 9th tier to the 3rd.

The 2012–13 season marked the club's tenth anniversary. After a difficult start, manager Terry Brown was replaced by former Wimbledon player Neal Ardley. On December 2, 2012, AFC Wimbledon played Milton Keynes Dons for the first time in the FA Cup, losing 2–1. The Dons secured their Football League status on the final day of the season by beating Fleetwood Town 2–1.

In the 2013–14 season, the club finished 20th again.

The 2014–15 season saw AFC Wimbledon play Milton Keynes Dons again. MK Dons won 3–1 in the League Cup. However, AFC Wimbledon got their first win against their rivals, beating them 3–2 in the Football League Trophy. The Dons also reached the FA Cup third round for the first time, losing to Liverpool. They finished the season in 15th place.

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

The 2015–16 season was AFC Wimbledon's fifth in League Two. They finished strongly, reaching seventh place and qualifying for the play-offs. A record home crowd of 4,870 saw them beat Accrington Stanley 1–0 in the play-off semi-final. They won the tie 3–2 on aggregate and earned a spot in the play-off final at Wembley. On May 30, 2016, exactly 14 years after the club was founded, AFC Wimbledon won 2–0 against Plymouth Argyle in front of 57,956 fans. This meant promotion to League One!

The 2016–17 season was their first in League One. They played against Milton Keynes Dons in the same division for the first time at Kingsmeadow, winning 2–0. The club finished 15th in the league.

AFC Wimbledon had a slow start to the 2017–18 season. They had a great FA Cup match, beating Charlton Athletic 3–1. This led to a third-round match against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. In December 2017, the club received permission to start building a new stadium. This new ground is very close to the original Plough Lane (1912–98). The club stayed in League One, meaning they were now in a higher division than Milton Keynes Dons.

The 2018–19 season started poorly. Manager Neal Ardley left the club in November 2018. A highlight was reaching the FA Cup 5th Round for the first time, beating West Ham United 4–2. Despite being at the bottom of the table for much of 2019, they had a strong finish, losing only one of their last 12 league games. They avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Moving to Plough Lane

In November 2020, the club moved to Plough Lane, their new stadium. It is only 250 yards from the original Plough Lane, where Wimbledon played until 1991. The first match at the new stadium was on November 3, 2020, a 2–2 draw against Doncaster Rovers. The club avoided relegation from League One at the end of the 2020–21 season. However, at the end of the 2021–22 season, Wimbledon was relegated from League One. Johnnie Jackson was appointed as the new manager. They earned promotion back to League One at the end of the 2024–25 season, defeating Walsall 1–0 in the play-off final.

Club Crest and Colours

The club's crest is based on the coat of arms of the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon. It features a black double-headed eagle. This symbol comes from a local story that Julius Caesar once camped on Wimbledon Common.

The team colours are royal blue and yellow. These colours were chosen because they were used by the original Wimbledon team when they rose to the top of football. The first kit in 2002 was a royal blue shirt with white shorts and socks. Since then, the home kit has always been mostly royal blue with yellow details. The away kit is usually yellow with blue details.

To celebrate their first game in the Football League on August 6, 2011, the team wore a special white and blue kit. This kit looked like the one worn by the original Wimbledon team in 1977–78, when they first joined the Football League.

On May 14, 2020, the club released a slightly updated crest. This was to mark 32 years since Wimbledon won the FA Cup in 1988 and to celebrate the opening of the new stadium at Plough Lane.

Sponsorship and Kit Manufacturer

AFC Wimbledon's shirts have been sponsored by the computer games company Sports Interactive since the club started in 2002.

The club's current kit is made by Lotto. In July 2024, Sports Interactive gave its shirt sponsorship to the charity War Child for all three kits. In April 2025, the club announced a new partnership with Lotto to make their kits from the 2025–26 season. In June 2025, it was announced that Sports Interactive's Football Manager logo would return to the home shirt. War Child would continue on the away shirt, and Private Office Asset Management would sponsor the third kit.

Club Mascot

"Haydon", the mascot of AFC Wimbledon.

In 2006, AFC Wimbledon introduced a new mascot named "Haydon". Haydon is a Womble, a furry creature from children's books. He is named after Haydons Road, which is the closest train station to both the original and current Plough Lane stadiums.

When the old club moved in 2003, they lost permission to use their Womble mascot, Wandle. The owners of the Wombles brand did not want to be linked with the relocated club anymore.

Club Rivalries

Milton Keynes Dons

AFC Wimbledon's main rival is Milton Keynes Dons. This club was formed after the original Wimbledon team moved to Milton Keynes in 2003. However, some AFC Wimbledon fans do not see them as a true rival. This is because they do not recognize the new club as the real Wimbledon.

Crawley Town

Crawley Town has also been one of AFC Wimbledon's rivals.

Sutton United

AFC Wimbledon and Sutton United have a friendly rivalry because they are geographically close. Sutton was the first team to play against the reformed Dons in a friendly match in 2002. They met in the FA Cup in 2017, with Sutton winning the replay.

Club Stadiums

Plough Lane

Plough Lane's first match with spectators, May 18, 2021

Since it started in 2002, AFC Wimbledon wanted to play in Merton. They aimed for a new stadium near their "spiritual home" at the original Plough Lane (1912–98). This was where the old Wimbledon team played for over 80 years. The goal was to build a new stadium on the site of the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium, which is only about 250 yards from the old football stadium.

In 2013, AFC Wimbledon announced plans with Merton Council and a developer to build a new football stadium. The plans also included homes, shops, and community facilities.

Merton Council approved the stadium plans on December 10, 2015. Work began on the site in March 2018. The stadium was completed in October 2020. The new stadium can hold 9,215 people, with a future option to expand to 20,000.

Wimbledon played their first four home games of the 2020–21 season at Loftus Road while Plough Lane was being finished. The club played its first match at Plough Lane on November 3, 2020, which was a 2–2 draw against Doncaster Rovers.

Loftus Road

AFC Wimbledon started the 2020–21 season at Loftus Road. They had a temporary agreement to share the ground with Queens Park Rangers while their new stadium, Plough Lane, was being built. They played four league games and two cup matches there before moving to Plough Lane. Due to coronavirus rules, all these games were played without fans.

Kingsmeadow

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

The club played at Kingsmeadow in Kingston upon Thames until May 2020. This stadium could hold 4,850 people. AFC Wimbledon shared the ground with Kingstonian from 2003.

Ground Purchase and Debt

When AFC Wimbledon was founded in 2002, they agreed to share Kingsmeadow with Kingstonian. After Kingstonian faced financial problems, AFC Wimbledon decided to buy part of the lease for Kingsmeadow. This was to make sure the ground would be safe for both clubs in the future. In June 2003, the agreement to buy the lease was made.

Stadium Expansion

At the end of the 2011–12 season, AFC Wimbledon started building a new stand at Kingsmeadow. This new stand could seat 1,000 people and was finished by October 2012. The work increased the stadium's capacity to about 4,850, with 2,265 seats.

Stadium Sale

In 2015, AFC Wimbledon agreed to sell Kingsmeadow to Chelsea. This sale helped fund their plans to move to a new stadium in Merton. Chelsea wanted to use the ground for their youth and women's teams. AFC Wimbledon left Kingsmeadow in May 2020.

Club Ownership

AFC Wimbledon is owned by The Dons Trust, a group of supporters. This group has promised to keep at least 75% control of the club. The Dons Trust is a special type of society registered as "Wimbledon Football Club Supporters' Society Limited."

The club's first chief executive was Erik Samuelson, a retired accountant. He worked full-time for a very small payment. Samuelson retired in 2019 and was replaced by Joe Palmer.

Community Work

The club believes it is important to be a social hub for the local community. They want to give everyone a chance to play football. Because of this, AFC Wimbledon started the Community Football Scheme (CFS) in 2004. In 2010, the CFS received the FA Charter Standard Community Club Award. This is the highest award for community football clubs. It recognized the club's excellent coaching in the local area. The club offers football courses for children aged 4–14, taught by qualified coaches. They work with local areas like Merton and Kingston to reach many children.

AFC Wimbledon also has a Schools Coaching Programme. They encourage healthy and active lifestyles for primary and secondary school children. These sessions focus on learning, development, and health in a fun way. In 2012, coaches from the CFS worked with the Football League to promote the FA's 'Respect' campaign in schools. They taught nearly 2,000 children about good behaviour in football. The goal is to stop bad behaviour like racism and violence in the next generation of players and fans.

On March 27, 2012, AFC Wimbledon became the first football club to receive the Prime Minister's Big Society Award. This award was for their great contributions to the local community. The club was recognized for its many community programs. These include 19 youth and women's teams, school health projects, and a stadium school. The stadium school helps children learn maths using football.

Then Prime Minister David Cameron praised AFC Wimbledon. He said the team had "united a community" and made a "huge difference" to many lives. He called them a "great example of the Big Society". Erik Samuelson, the club's chief executive, said the award showed that a club owned by its fans can have high standards, focus on the community, be financially stable, and still succeed on the pitch.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a group of fans called the Dons Local Action Group helped the community. They made sure people had enough food and that students had technology for online classes.

Club Players

Current Squad

No. Position Player 4 MF Jake Reeves (captain) 6 DF Ryan Johnson 8 MF Callum Maycock 9 FW Omar Bugiel 10 FW Josh Kelly 12 MF Alistair Smith 14 FW Matty Stevens 18 MF Marcus Browne 19 FW Osman Foyo 21 MF Myles Hippolyte 23 DF Leo Young 24 DF Harry Sidwell

No. Position Player 25 DF Ethan Sutcliffe 26 DF Riley Harbottle 29 MF Aron Sasu 31 DF Joe Lewis 32 MF Kai Jennings 33 DF Isaac Ogundere 41 MF Sam Hutchinson GK Nathan Bishop MF Delano McCoy-Splatt GK Joe McDonnell DF Steve Seddon

For youth teams see AFC Wimbledon Development Squad and Academy.

Player Awards and Records

This table shows players who have been club captain, won the Player of the Year award, or were the top league goal scorer each season:

Season	Club captain	Player of the year	Top scorer	Goals
2002–03	Joe Sheerin	Kevin Cooper	Kevin Cooper	37
2003–04	Joe Sheerin	Matt Everard	Kevin Cooper	53
2004–05	Steve Butler	Richard Butler	Richard Butler	24
2005–06	Steve Butler	Andy Little	Shane Smeltz	19
2006–07	Chris Gell	Antony Howard	Roscoe Dsane	17
2007–08	Jason Goodliffe	Jason Goodliffe	Steven Ferguson	10
2008–09	Jason Goodliffe	Ben Judge	Jon Main	33
2009–10	Paul Lorraine	Danny Kedwell	Danny Kedwell	21
2010–11	Danny Kedwell	Sam Hatton	Danny Kedwell	23
2011–12	Jamie Stuart	Sammy Moore	Jack Midson	18
2012–13	Mat Mitchel-King	Jack Midson	Jack Midson	13
2013–14	Alan Bennett	Barry Fuller	Michael Smith	9
2014–15	Barry Fuller	Adebayo Akinfenwa	Adebayo Akinfenwa	13
2015–16	Barry Fuller	Paul Robinson	Lyle Taylor	23
2016–17	Barry Fuller	Tom Elliott	Lyle Taylor	14
2017–18	Barry Fuller	Deji Oshilaja	Lyle Taylor	18
2018–19	Deji Oshilaja	Will Nightingale	Joe Pigott	15
2019–20	Will Nightingale	Terell Thomas	Marcus Forss	11
2020–21	Alex Woodyard	Joe Pigott	Joe Pigott	22
2021–22	Alex Woodyard	Jack Rudoni	Jack Rudoni	12
2022–23	Alex Woodyard	Ali Al-Hamadi	Ethan Chislett	11
2023–24	Jake Reeves	Jack Currie	Ali Al-Hamadi	17

Wimbledon Old Players Association

The Wimbledon Old Players Association (WOPA) was formed in 2005. It includes former players and managers from both the original Wimbledon and AFC Wimbledon. Among the first members were Glenn Mulcaire, who scored AFC Wimbledon's first goal, and Kevin Cooper, the club's all-time top scorer. Many legends from the old Wimbledon also joined.

In June 2010, Vinnie Jones, another former player of the original Wimbledon, gave his 1988 FA Cup winners medal to the fans of AFC Wimbledon. The medal is now on display at the Wimbledon in Sporting History's Museum at Plough Lane.

Club Management

Current Management and Coaching Staff Name Role Johnnie Jackson Manager Terry Skiverton Assistant manager Robert Tuvey First-team coach Andy Parslow First Team Restarts / Set Piece Coach Dave Reddington Individual Coach Steve Sallis Head of Mindset Performance Chris McConnell Sports scientist Ashley Bayes Goalkeeping coach Bobby Bacic Physiotherapist Katy Bignell Assistant Sports Therapist Robin Bedford Kit Manager

Current Academy and Youth Development Staff Name Role Michael Hamilton Academy manager Michael Cook Academy Head of Operations Anthony Ferguson Head of Coaching Simon Clark Under 18s Head Coach Jack Matthews Lead Youth Phase Coach (U13-16) Nicholas Wright Lead Foundation Phase Coach Liam Connor Head of physical performance Victoria Athey Physical Performance and Medicine Manager Stuart Page Head of Education Ben Foshuene Head of Academy Talent ID Ahmed Jama Head of Academy Performance Analysis Deji Olorukoba-Oseni Academy Administrator

Managerial History

These statistics include results from league matches (including play-offs) and all major cup competitions.

Name	From	Until	Managed	Won	Drawn	Lost	Win %	Honours
Terry Eames	June 13, 2002	February 13, 2004	82	69	4	9	84.15
Nicky English	February 13, 2004	May 11, 2004	21	19	2	0	90.48	2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Division Champions 2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup winners
Dave Anderson	May 11, 2004	May 2, 2007	167	98	40	29	58.68	2004–05 Isthmian League First Division Champions
Terry Brown	May 15, 2007	September 19, 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
Simon Bassey (caretaker)	September 19, 2012	October 10, 2012	4	2	0	2	50.00
Neal Ardley	October 10, 2012	November 12, 2018	326	108	91	127	33.13	2015–16 Football League Two play-off winners
Simon Bassey (caretaker)	November 12, 2018	December 4, 2018	5	2	0	3	40.00
Wally Downes	December 4, 2018	September 25, 2019	41	11	12	18	26.82
Glyn Hodges	September 25, 2019	January 30, 2021	62	18	18	26	29.00
Mark Robinson	January 30, 2021	March 28, 2022	70	18	23	29	25.71
Mark Bowen (caretaker)	March 30, 2022	May 7, 2022	7	0	4	3	00.00
Johnnie Jackson	May 16, 2022		101	35	27	39	34.65	2024–25 EFL League Two play-off winners

Specialist Coaches

In spring 2021, AFC Wimbledon hired Andy Parslow as a restarts coach. This made them the first English Football League club to have a specialist coach for set pieces. In summer 2021, they also hired Sammy Landers as a substitution coach, another first for an English Football League club.

AFC Wimbledon Women

AFC Wimbledon Women is the women's football team. They joined AFC Wimbledon after the 2002–03 season.

Kevin Foster is the manager, and the team plays in the FA Women's National League South.

A former player for Wimbledon Women, Sophie Hosking, won an Olympic gold medal for Team GB in rowing at the London 2012 games. Sophie is still a big fan of AFC Wimbledon. She even painted her fingernails in the club's blue and yellow colours for her Olympic final!

Club Records

AFC Wimbledon's club records include:

• Best FA Cup performance: 5th round, 2018–19
• Best EFL Cup performance: 3rd round, 2021–22, 2024–25
• Best EFL Trophy performance: Quarter-finals, 2020–21, 2023–24
• Best FA Trophy performance: 3rd round, 2007–08, 2009–10
• Best FA Vase performance: 4th round, 2003–04

Club Honours

AFC Wimbledon has won the following titles:

League

• League Two (level 4)
  • Play-off winners: 2016, 2025
• Conference (level 5)
  • Play-off winners: 2011
• Conference South (level 6)
  • Champions: 2008–09
• Isthmian League
  • Play-off winners: 2008
• Isthmian League Division One
  • Champions: 2004–05
• Combined Counties League
  • Champions: 2003–04

Cup

• Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup
  • Winners: 2003–04
• Isle of Man Tournament
  • Winners: 2009–10
• Lanes Cup
  • Winners: 2007–08 2011–12
• London Senior Cup
  • Winners: 2013–14
• Surrey Senior Cup
  • Winners: 2004–05

See also

In Spanish: Association Football Club Wimbledon para niños