YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO THE DONS....
(AFC) WIMBLEDON
This page relates to Wimbledon FC until the summer of 2002 and then AFC Wimbledon.
Ground: Plough Lane,
London,
SW17 0NR
View on Google Maps
Tel: 020 8547 3528
Websites: Official website
The Dons Trust
Media: Wikipedia
Soccerbase
Getting there
By Car: (approx 35 miles from HW)
View Google Maps for directions from your location.
Train: Earlsfield is approx. 20 minute walk to the ground, with trains served from Waterloo. Haydens Road is slightly closer to the ground but is served via Thameslink trains. Wimbledon station is approx. 25 minute from the ground with trains served from Waterloo and also on the District Line of the London Underground, with trains from Edgeware Road (approx. 10 minutes walk from Marylebone) and Paddington. Check www.nationalrail.co.uk for specific times and connections of trains.
KNOW YOUR HISTORY

  • Wanderers and Wimbledon first met during the 1921/22 season after both clubs had gained entry to the Isthmian League. The first meeting in October 1921 saw The Dons triumph in front of a 6,000 gate at Plough Lane.
  • The two sides continued to meet in the Isthmian League until the end of the 1963/64 season when Wimbledon, after winning three successive Isthmian League Championships, opted to join the professional ranks of the Southern League.
  • The final Isthmian League meeting between the two sides took place at Loakes Park on Wednesday 9th October 1963. A sizeable home contingent urged on Wycombe from the start with Tony Horseman giving Wanderers the lead on 14 minutes. However, some of the home crowd were too enthusiastic and a warning had to be announced over the public address system to say that if any more fireworks were thrown at the Wimbledon goalkeeper and defenders, the match would be abandoned. With order restored, Wycombe weathered a potential Wimbledon fightback and Paul Hodges added a second goal a minute into the second-half to ensure Wimbledon's unbeaten start to the season was ended. Playing in the Wycombe side that evening was 20 year old midfielder Dave Bassett. He would go on to join Wimbledon the following season and eventually manage them during their early Football League days. Meanwhile, Wycombe and Wimbledon would not meet again in a competitive fixture for nearly 38 years.
  • Both sides hit the FA Cup headlines on Saturday 4th January 1975 as non-League clubs - on that day Wanderers held First Division Middlesbrough to a goalless draw at Loakes Park in a Third Round Proper encounter, while Wimbledon went one better and beat First Division Burnley away from home to set up a Fourth Round tie with Leeds United.
  • Towards the end of the 1975/76 season both sides competed in an Anglo-Italian tournament. Wanderers played home and away to Pistoiese and Teramo, while The Dons took on Benevento and Siracusa. Both Wycombe and Wimbledon won their home ties but The Dons went on to have the better luck in the return games in Italy to reach the final, where they lost 1-0 to Monza - the side Wanderers had beaten earlier in the 1975/76 season in another Anglo-Italian tie.
  • Having won the Southern League for three consecutive seasons, Wimbledon won election to the Football League for the 1977/78 season - replacing Workington. A remarkable run saw them rise to the top division of English football by the end of the 1985/86 season under the Managership of Dave Bassett - Wycombe, meanwhile, were being relegated after just one season in the 'Gola League' - thus opening up a gap of four divisions between the two sides.
  • Wimbledon's greatest achivement came in May 1988 when they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup Final at Wembley - the winning goal coming from Lawrie Sanchez. Sanch and Gibbo - thanks to Azzurro for sending the pics





  • The most memorable encounters between the two sides came in the FA Cup Fifth Round ties during the 2000/1 season. A then record Adams Park gate of 9,650 watched the original tie which saw The Dons take a 2-0 lead and look to be cruising into the quarter-finals. A triple substitution by Wanderers Manager Lawrie Sanchez proved to be the changing point in the tie, with Michael Simpson and then Steve Brown grabbing the goals that would take the tie to a replay at Selhurst Park the following Tuesday.
  • An amazing penalty shoot-out was the culmination of the replay - Wanderers, earning the right to face Leicester City in the Fifth Round with an 8-7 victory.
  • It would be seven more years before the sides would meet again - with the now 'AFC Wimbledon' as members of the Conference South hosting Wycombe in a FA Cup First Round meeting at Kingsmeadow. Wycombe crusied through that day but four years later the two sides would meet again at League level for the first time in 49 years after fans owned Dons won promotion to the Football League at the end of the 2010/11 season and Wanderers joining them in the bottom division of the Football League following relegation at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
Chairboy Connections
A selection of players who have played for both Clubs.

Indicates profile available

Gareth Ainsworth Gareth Ainsworth - Spent five years with The Dons between 1998 and 2003 having started his pro career with Preston North End in 1992 that included a Wembley appearance against Wycombe in the 1994 Division Three Play-Off Final. Moved to Lincoln City in October 1995 before he became Port Vale's record signing in September 1997 when he moved from Sincil Bank for a £500,000 fee. Spent just over a year at Vale Park before another record fee of £2m saw him leave for the them Premier League The Dons in 1998. His time with The Dons was plauged with injuries - making 8 Premier League appearance during 1998/99 and just two the following the season - although he did score his only Premier League goals when he netted twice in a 3-3 draw at Newcastle United on 21 August 1999. He was in The Dons side (now relegated to the second tier) that lost to Wanderers during the legendary FA Cup run of 2000/2001 but with First Team opportunites limited was loaned back to Preston during the 2001/2 season and eventually signed for Cardiff City and then QPR. Moved initially on loan to Wycombe in November 2009 before making the deal permanent in January 2010. Went on to become Wanderers Manager during the 2012/13 season.

Will Antwi - Defender who made 55 appearances for Wycombe during a four year spell having signed on a free from Aldershot Town in May 2005. Joined The Dons in September 2012 having spent time at Dagenham, Luton Town, Grimsby Town (loan) and Staines Town.

'Ade' Azeez - Striker who made his senior debut aged 18 as substitute while on loan to the Wanderers from Charlton Athletic in November 2012 against Burton Albion. Injured in his first start in a Football League Trophy tie at Yeovil and returned to The Valley shortly afterwards having made five appearances for Wycombe. Subsequently had loan spells with Leyton Orient, Torquay United and Dagenham & Redbridge before a permanent move to The Dons in June 2014.

Dave Bassett - Former Dons player and Manager who spent a short spell as a player at Wycombe in the 1960's. Has since gone on to manager just about everybody.

Alan Bennett - Made 26 appearances for Wanderers during an 18 month spell that started when he joined on loan from Brentford in January 2010. A former trainee at Reading but made his pro debut while on loan at Southampton. Joined The Dons in January 2013 following a season and a half at Cheltenham.

Gary Blissett - Dons striker who spent a short spell on loan at Wycombe during December 1995, making 4 appearances.

Joe Blochel - Former schoolboy with Southampton who made 6 Football League appearances on loan at Wimbledon during the 1981/82 season. The striker spent time playing football in Sweden before joining Wanderers in 1985 - making 35 appearances and scoring 5 goals.

Drewe Broughton - Nomadic striker who spent a short spell on loan at Wycombe during the 2004/5 season from Southend United. His time at Wimbledon came during the 2010/11 season when he scored twice in 8 Conference appearances while on loan from Lincoln City.

Dannie Bulman - Made close to 250 First Team for the Wanderers following a £10,000 move from Ashford Town in July 1998 - making his debut as 19 year old at Adams Park and scoring with his first touch. Moved to Stevenage Borough in the summer of 2004. Loaned to Crawley Town for the 2006/07 Conference season before a permanent move a year later. Totalled 126 Conference apps for Crawley before signing for Oxford United in the summer of 2009. Moved back to Crawley in September 2010, going on to add 171 more senior appearances before switching to The Dons in the summer of 2014 at the age of 35 and quickly becoming a regular.

Stewart Castledine - Signed by Wycombe in May 2000 after six seasons with Wimbledon and was subsequently part of the squad that reached the FA Cup Semi-Final the following season. Had also played for Wanderers on loan during the 1995/96 season.

Darius Charles - A big favourite with Wycombe fans during his three year spell at Adams Park, having signed from The Dons in the summer of 2018. Returned to Wimbledon in the summer of 2021 but retired from the playing side in April 2022.

Steven Gregory - Former Youth Team player with the Wanderers who made debuted as substitute in the final game of the 2005/06 season aged 18 but after adding five further substitute appearances was released at the end of the 2007/08 season in the aftermath of the resignation of Manager Paul Lambert. Went on to join Hayes & Yeading in the Conference where he had been on loan while with the Wanderers. Joined Wimbledon in the summer of 2009 and went on to become regular in the side that won promotion to the Football League. Switched to Bournemouth during the summer of 2011 but returned to Wimbledon on loan during the first half of the 2011/12 season. Released by Bournemouth following his return to the South coast side and went on to join Gillingham where he remained until the end of the 2013/14 season.

Ben Harding - Midfielder who had a fairly unhappy spell at Wycombe following a free transfer from Aldershot Town in the summmer of 2011. Made just 5 starts for Wycombe under Gary Waddock before moving to Northampton Town on loan in early January 2012, with the deal becoming permament on deadline day at the end of the same month. Originally played as a youngster with Wimbledon - making his First Team debut in November 2003 and remained at the Club during the controversial move to Milton Keynes.

Paul Hodges - Made 37 appearances and scored 9 goals for Wanderers during the 1963-64 season. Moved to Wimbledeon when they turned professional in 1964 and spend eight seasons there, completing more than 350 appearances and scoring over 100 goals.

Barry Silkman - Played for Wimbledon in the Southern League in the early 1970's and had a short spell at Wycombe in 1986/87 season after his Football League career concluded. Played against Wycombe in the FA Cup for Harrow Borough in November 2000.

Justin Skinner - Left-back who made five Football League appearances for Wycombe during the 1994/95 season on loan from Wimbledon. Has also appeared on loan for Bournemouth.

Peter Suddaby - Spent a short time at Wimbledon in the early 1980's in between two spells at Wycombe. Later had a unsuccessful time as Wycombe Manager during the 1987/88 season.

Kevin Tilley - Former Dons right-back who featured in their non-League days in the mid 1970's. Made 39 Isthmian League appearances for Wycombe in the 1984/85 season. Has also played for QPR, Aylesbury United and Hayes.

Dave Winfield - Defender who joined Shrewsbury Town from Wycombe in the summer of 2013 following three successful years at Adams Park. Originally signed by Gary Waddock for Wycombe from Aldershot in the summer of 2010 - a fee of £25,000 eventually being determined by a tribunial. Left Shrewsbury after just one season to join York City. Made 7 loan appearances for The Dons from York during the second-half of the 2014/15 season.

Lee Worgan - Goalkeeper who made two loan appearances for Wanderers at the age of 20 from The Dons during the 2003/4 season as cover for the injured Steve Williams, Frank Talia, and Tom Gott. Failed to make an impact with Wimbledon and later dropped down to non-League football with Hastings United, Tonbridge Angels and then Maidstone United.

Not forgetting these two::
Lawrie Sanchez Lawrie Sanchez - Scored 'that goal' for The Dons in the 1988 FA Cup Final. Joined Wycombe as Manager in February 1999 and made history by taking The Chairboys on a record breaking FA Cup run during 2000/2001.

Terry Gibson - Former Dons player who joined Wycombe as Assistant Coach to Lawrie Sanchez in February 1999. As a player he also played for Coventry City and Manchester United.
Also:

Shahed Ahmed - Former Youth Team player with The Dons who made five appearances for Wanderers (all from the bench) during the 2004/5 season. Scored in the 'League Two' game at Kidderminster in August 2004.
Chairboys v The Dons - all previous meetings
DATE Comp V Res SCORE Att
Sat, Oct 1, 1921 ILAW 4-36,000
Sat, Feb 25, 1922 ILHW 7-1
Sat, Feb 17, 1923 ILHW 5-4
Sat, Mar 3, 1923 ILAL 2-4
Sat, Nov 10, 1923 ILAD 1-1
Wed, Apr 9, 1924 ILHW 8-0
Sat, Nov 22, 1924 ILAW 5-4
Sat, Feb 7, 1925 ILHL 1-4
Sat, Oct 24, 1925 ILAW 4-23,000
Sat, Feb 6, 1926 ILHW 9-2
Sat, Mar 12, 1927 ILHW 3-12,000
Wed, Apr 20, 1927 ILAL 0-3
Sat, Nov 5, 1927 ILAL 1-6
Wed, May 2, 1928 ILHW 4-0
Sat, Sep 1, 1928 ILHW 4-32,000
Sat, Nov 24, 1928 ILAL 0-2
Mon, Apr 1, 1929 FrAL 4-5
Sat, Apr 12, 1930 ILAL 1-3
Mon, Apr 28, 1930 ILHW 4-1
Sat, Nov 1, 1930 ILAL 1-3
Sat, Mar 28, 1931 ILHW 1-0
Sat, Nov 7, 1931 ILHW 7-15,500
Wed, Apr 20, 1932 ILAL 0-3
Sat, Dec 10, 1932 FAAC1HL 1-24,002
Sat, Feb 4, 1933 ILAW 3-2
Sat, Feb 18, 1933 ILHD 2-2
Sat, Aug 26, 1933 ILAL 1-4
Sat, Sep 16, 1933 ILHL 1-25,000
Sat, Oct 27, 1934 ILAL 1-43,700
Sat, Dec 22, 1934 ILHD 1-13,000
Sat, Dec 21, 1935 ILHL 2-6
Sat, Apr 4, 1936 ILAL 0-1
Sat, Apr 10, 1937 ILHW 2-1
Sat, Apr 17, 1937 ILAD 2-2
Sat, Apr 2, 1938 ILHD 2-2
Sat, Apr 9, 1938 ILAL 1-3
Sat, Mar 4, 1939 ILAL 3-9
Sat, Apr 1, 1939 ILHW 4-3
Sat, Oct 14, 1939 FrHD 3-3
Sat, May 5, 1945 FrHW 4-1
Sat, Nov 3, 1945 ILAL 3-4
Sat, Dec 8, 1945 ILHW 4-1
Sat, Oct 12, 1946 ILAD 2-2
Sat, Dec 21, 1946 ILHW 4-3
Sat, Sep 27, 1947 ILAD 5-5
Sat, Mar 13, 1948 ILHW 2-13,650
Sat, Dec 11, 1948 ILAL 1-9
Sat, Dec 18, 1948 ILHW 5-1
Sat, Nov 12, 1949 ILAL 0-54,000
Sat, Mar 25, 1950 ILHW 4-14,000
Wed, Apr 25, 1951 ILAL 1-4
Sat, Apr 28, 1951 ILHD 0-0
Sat, Jan 5, 1952 ILHD 2-2
Sat, Feb 2, 1952 ILAL 2-4
Sat, Oct 4, 1952 ILHD 1-18,000
Sat, Nov 1, 1952 ILAL 1-6
Sat, Dec 5, 1953 ILAW 1-0
Sat, Apr 3, 1954 ILHW 5-2
Sat, Nov 6, 1954 ILHW 3-05,000
Mon, Apr 18, 1955 ILAW 3-1
Sat, Oct 1, 1955 ILAL 0-1
Sat, Mar 3, 1956 ILHW 4-1
Sat, Nov 10, 1956 ILAW 4-1
Sat, Mar 23, 1957 ILHD 0-0
Sat, Oct 12, 1957 ILAW 2-1
Sat, Dec 21, 1957 ILHW 3-1
Sat, Apr 4, 1959 IL H W 1-0  
Sat, Apr 25, 1959 IL A L 0-4  
Sat, Sep 26, 1959 IL A L 1-2  
Sat, Apr 9, 1960 IL H W 4-1  
Sat, Oct 15, 1960 IL A L 1-2  
Sat, Jan 21, 1961 FAAC1 H L 1-2 5,000
Sat, May 6, 1961 IL H W 2-1  
Sat, Oct 14, 1961 IL A L 0-2 2,692
Sat, Feb 17, 1962 FAAC3 A L 0-1 9,254
Sat, Mar 24, 1962 IL H L 0-1  
Sat, Nov 10, 1962 IL H W 3-2  
Tue, Mar 12, 1963 IL A L 1-5 2,598
Sat, Sep 21, 1963 IL A L 0-1  
Wed, Oct 9, 1963 IL H W 2-0  
Tue, Aug 5, 1969 Fr H D 1-1  
Tue, Aug 7, 1974 Fr H L 1-2  
Thu, Aug 5, 1975 Fr H L 0-1  
Tue, Aug 10, 1976 Fr H W 2-1 560
Tue, Dec 12, 1978 Fr H W 4-1 560
Sat, Feb 17, 2001 FAC5 H D 2-2 9,650
Tue, Feb 20, 2001 FAC5r A D 2-2* 9,464
Mon, Nov 10, 2008 FAC1 A W 4-1 4,528
Sat, Sep 22, 2012 FL3 H L 0-1 4,260
Sat, Jan 12, 2013 FL3 A D 2-2 4,507
Sat, Aug 10, 2013 FL3 A L 0-1 4,235
Sat, Jan 4, 2014 FL3 H L 0-3 3,513
Sat, Oct 18, 2014 FL3 H W 2-0 4,329
Sun, Dec 7, 2014 FAC2 H L 0-1 3,196
Sat, Apr 18, 2015 FL3 A D 0-0 4,535
Sat, Nov 21, 2015 FL3 A D 1-1 4,482
Sat, Apr 2, 2016 FL3 H L 1-2 4,560
Sat, Dec 22, 2018 FL2 H L 1-2 5,814
Sat, Apr 27, 2019 FL2 A L 1-2 4,850
Sat, Aug 31, 2019 FL2 A D 0-0 4,521
Sat, Dec 11, 2021 FL2 H D 2-2 4,915
Mon, Apr 18, 2022 FL2 A D 1-1 8,502
Sat, Nov 18, 2023 FLT1 H W 1-0 664
Key:
IL = Isthmian League
FAAC = FA Amateur Cup
FAC = FA Challenge Cup
Fr = Friendly
FL3 = Football League 'League Two'
FL2 = Football League 'League One'
FLT = Football League Trophy
*Wycombe won 8-7 on penalties
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page, Chairboys on the Net excepts no responsibility for any problems or disputes arising from its use. Directions are generally the easiest route from High Wycombe and all distances are approx.
© Chairboys on the Net 2000 - 2023 - all rights reserved