James Simmonds,
#Chelsea
's highly regarded Under-18s assistant manager, has joined
#AFCWimbledon
until December, where he will work with the League One side's first team.
@DailyMailUK
Treasure this one kid, what an absolute thrill.... that fella who picked me up scored the stoppage time winner to beat the Frannies at Plough Lane, you know... a Don for life.
Plays with his heart on his sleeve, relished the powder keg atmosphere of the grudge match, we won’t forget his emotional release impact on a day many Dons won’t forget…
Ramsdale "When Arsenal played Wimbledon the other week in the (Carabao) Cup I got to see my old goalie coach, who I still speak to but I have not seen him for a long time. It brought back all the good memories of that period with Wimbledon, where I have come from." 💙💛
Whatever this season brings Wimbledon will always have its jewel, the ground the fans built - Plough Lane. My first long awaited visit, entranced by the intimate stadium, atmospheric, a community feel, what a future lies ahead for us all. Rejoice, it was a long time coming.
Ayoub Assal talking about the constant fouling he endures each game as Wimbledon’s key attacker, he means business on the field and no less off it. Superb today.
The much loved Wimbledon icon
#DickieGuy
is fighting an illness in hospital. His legion of admirers around the globe are willing his recovery.
We all wish the very best for our El Presidente at this worrying time. A totem figure in the Wimbledon story.
Ollie Palmer "I can't wait to go back to Wimbledon, everyone knows how much I love the football club. I enjoyed my time there and never really envisaged leaving once I was there. I might get a slightly hostile reception but I'm sure I'll get some nice ones too."
“We want Jackson out” chants rang around Plough Lane following the 5-1 thumping by Swindon Town.
Fast forward ten months and the tone of tune has changed, with the chants now serenading the
#Wimbledon
manager instead of calling for his dismissal.
On a plane on Monday, heading over for
#AFCWimbledon
’s final five games. I will be with you all cheering on the Dons to safety. It’s been a tremendous turnaround in fortunes under Wally and Glyn. Can’t wait. COYDs.
Ivor Heller has been so much a part of the AFC Wimbledon story. Erik Samuelson pays tribute to Ivor in this funny, touching and revealing piece in
@WDownunder
now available to read..
JJ in the wake of the engineered McCormick exit.. “What’s really important is that Harry Pell was desperately keen to come to us. I want people that are keen to be part of what we are doing here.”
We all do, gaffer, we all do ...
🏟️ Our attendance on Saturday of 8,381 was a record crowd since we returned to Wimbledon.
👏 Thanks for creating a fantastic atmosphere - and more of the same please for the final 7⃣ home games this season!
#AFCW
The great Robbie Earle - "They were special days, we were playing in the Premier League with our best mates like people play with their best mates down the park, but we were playing at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane and Anfield."
Ollie Palmer farewell to Dons fans, done with dignity and empathy, go well Ollie. Can’t expect you not to take up the Wrexham offer given your age and circumstances
George Dobson admits he came close to signing permanently for AFC Wimbledon – but made the “right decision” to join
#CharltonAtheltic
"It was only until Charlton came in & with the draw of such a big club, the fan base, the facilities, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down."
Wally Downes has not only saved
#AFCWimbledon
’s apparently doomed season but unified the club, players and fans, bringing optimism for next season with the right recruitment
Woodyard is a different player this season. He is one of the elder statesmen in a very young squad, crucial he leads by example. Covers ground, breaking up the opposition’s play, allows Hartigan freedom in playmaker role. Arguably AFCW's best player this season.
@SthLondonPress
Jake Reeves "You do feel that extra responsibility [as skipper]. If there’s a little bit of needle in the dressing room you’re thinking how can that be sorted before it gets a little bit out of hand. It’s a real honour, especially for a club that I adore.”
Ali Al-Hamadi has become a true fan favourite amongst the Dons faithful.
#Iraq
flags adorn the South Stand, while his name rings around the stadium in song as regularly as the striker scores.
“The fans here adore me, and I adore them.”
Nightingale “I’ve stayed put for 20 years and then with my first move I’ve literally gone from one end of the country to the other. The opportunity popped up & I wanted to give it everything, get stuck into it and I’ve taken that leap of faith with it. I’m here to knuckle down."
In the same way that Beatlemania engulfed Britain in the 1960s, a new craze is sweeping through Plough Lane. Ali al-Hamadi has quickly become a cult icon amongst AFC Wimbledon fans since arriving in the January transfer window.
@EdmundBrack
Among the so many low points this season, this ranks prominently among them... with L1 survival in their hands they collapsed 3-1 at relegated Crewe. ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt’ a noisy section of travelling fans bellowed .. it was febrile, emotions boiled over. Sad day.
Vinnie Jones on
@talkSPORT
- “Oh yeah, good riddance! The name is minging isn’t it. It’s absolutely minging. They should change it to Milton Keynes Relegation Proprietors.”
@AFCWimbledon
We all don't know what a young understudy goalkeeper goes through to get recognition. A clean sheet obviously meant so much to him and Tzanev's reaction shows the bond. A revealing photo. Well done young man.
Hartigan - “It’s a dream to play for this club & playing at Plough Lane is unbelievable, I just want to be there for the team when I’m needed. You can always do better, I watch the games back to try to take good/bad from games. I’m always on the training pitch trying to improve."
“Being made captain for any club is a big honour as it means you’re seen as the leader of that particular badge. For me and this Club with it being my third time - with what we achieved before and what we’ll hopefully achieve - makes it feel extra special.” Skipper Jake Reeves
Robbie Earle spent nine great years at
#Wimbledon
and never once felt it was a chore. In fact, those years between 1991 and 2000 remain some of the best memories of his life.
And ours too, Robbie.. one of the greatest, if not THE greatest Don.
“Nathan is doing his rehab with Brentford and it’s going really well. We hope to have him back with us in around a fortnight. Brentford have got the final say on that."
Keith Hackett - "For the referee to issue 13 yellow cards and one red, that says to me that the referee lost control. He may not have lost control of the game but he may have lost control of himself. His refereeing is ineffective."
Another impressive transfer window under the stewardship of Craig Cope. Ali’s exit was widely expected but the incomings have been calculated and well received. Meticulous planning, research, follow-ups, Cope has turned around the club’s recruitment infinitely for the better.
“I'm grateful for the support the club have shown me, because I'm well aware that I would have lost my job at other places. It's nice to have that support and I'm dead keen to repay their faith, because they stuck by me."
Delighted for you
@AaronRamsdale98
those of us who watched you help keep AFCWimbledon up are among your greatest admirers, wonderful memories of your breathtaking saves and forever cheery disposition. Onwards and upwards Rambo.
Ben Garner "Wimbledon thoroughly deserved to win. We got bullied to be honest. They out-worked us, they out-fought us; They’ve had 21 shots on our goal."
Omar Bugiel personifies this Wimbledon team. He's not blessed with blistering pace or dribbling skills, and his statistics this season (seven goals in 32 league games) don’t exactly jump off the page. But Bugiel is becoming one of Wimbledon’s most important players.
@ConorJKeenan
Many memories flooding back for Wimbledon fans of the Joe Kinnear era, anything was possible in those mind racing days. Certainly, Joe had his way, but the Dons were respected for their achievements, they punched above their weight, we had the time of our lives, thank you Joe.
Ayoub Assal has scored 7 goals in his last 8 games, including in each of his last 5.... on 🔥🔥.. how we going to keep him in the coming transfer window?
Great to see AFC Wimbledon’s inaugural manager Terry Eames, who was there to begin it all, at Plough Lane. It hasn’t always been a close relationship since his acrimonious parting of ways, but hopefully time heals all wounds and feelings.. welcome home Terry.
@ProSportsImages
Hudlin “My loan with AFC Wimbledon was a great experience, it exposed me to the EFL, only played in the National League before and gave me an insight into what’s to come. I learned a lot, mentally & physically, it has put me in a better mindset & stronger position to push on.”
Omar “I’m having chats with the club. There are good conversations that are going on at the moment, so I’m looking forward to the outcome.”.. so are we...
Craig Cope “Obviously circumstances have allowed us to sign a player of Ronan’s quality. We are delighted to be able to provide him with a platform to get back on track whilst adding real quality to our attack as we pursue a positive remainder of the season.
Very proud moment for me and the family to sign a new deal at
@AFCWimbledon
I appreciate all the support from the fans and can’t wait to see everyone back at plough lane !!! 💙💛💙come on you dons
#AFCW
JJ “I have had good conversations with Omar. He loves being here and we love having him here. There is an eagerness on everyone’s part to try and secure his future.”..
just do it..
@EdmundBrack
They were heady times,
#JoeKinnear
took over the Dons at a low ebb, gave us a magical ride in the Premier League, top six finish, two more top ten finishes, two Cup semifinals in 1997, many thrills, wonderful memories.Gave us a belief and swagger. Crazy Gang times indeed.
#RIPJoe
AFC Wimbledon are set to sign Alex Pearce on a free transfer. The defender, who will be Johnnie Jackson’s first signing as Wimbledon manager, will leave Millwall at the end of the month.
@RichCawleySLP
Jake Reeves, Josh Neufville and Omar Bugiel.. Craig Cope has been working hard behind the scenes and the results are clearly evident. early signings a statement of intent. Interested to see what follows.
Isaac Ogundere on full league debut and this speaks volumes for the lad's unruffled composure under fire and before a big loud away crowd.... we might have just found our RWB.
JJ:”This is a really exciting signing. Josh has scored goals for years in the National League.He fits our style, the way we want to play. He has brilliant movement, he’s clever, intelligent with his runs, he’s obviously a natural finisher. He’s a really good character.”
Josh Kelly is 5′ 9” and his strengths are his pace, his excellent football brain and his ability to run at defenders. Hoofing balls up the middle, where he is swarmed by League Two centre-halves, is unlikely to bear much fruit.
@EarbyDon
Warnock “Jack Rudoni’s one of the best young players I’ve ever had. I hope you’ve got a sell-on clause for him! I think he’ll go to the very top. He’s a fabulous boy.”
“He’s as good as it gets at this level. It’s probably not reflected in terms of goals, but he’s shown all season he’s such a threat. Goals are coming now, we always knew they would. He’s a joy to work with. There’s no player I would rather have than Ali. We’re lucky to have him.”
"I think confidence is a choice rather than something based on results and something that I don't think you should let be determined by other people or what's happening around you and I've always had that in abundance."
@DanLong__
Paul Robinson - “I know that as players you’re supposed to rise above that (MK) but I can’t say there wasn’t a wry smile when they went down and we stayed up.”
#AFCWimbledon
Only five months ago we were all singing Wally's at the Wheel... now he's gone, he leaves his legacy, the exhilarating Great Escape, promotion of youth players, some very influential loan players... this doesn't sit comfortably...
#afcwimbledon
JJ on NYC "You don’t score that many goals at any level without being able to be a natural finisher. He has got good movement, he’s got the right attitude and work ethic. He’ll really fit in with the group we are creating here.”
#Brentford
Ethan Chislett is out of contract at the end of the season. The South African is a priority for the Dons to tie down to a longer-term deal. Chis is the only player who has featured in every League Two outing this season.
@EdmundBrack
Wally Downes paid a disproportionate price for what was essentially a misdemeanour, but he knew the risk he was taking. The
#FA
, meanwhile, are operating as a recruitment service for
#Bet365
and blithely turning a profit from it, while posturing as moral arbiters.
Merton council has allowed the opening hours of
#PloughLane
to be extended to between 9am & 11pm daily, with the ability to sell alcohol. The change will now allow the stadium to sell booze on Saturdays, which was not possible under its previous licence.
Jack Rudoni - This club has been my home since the U11s and to come all the way through and start playing in front of these home supporters, it’s just a dream come true for me. Our squad is very, very young.
#AFCWimbledon
Record signing Davison “It’s a good feeling because the club have shown faith in me as they were willing to pay the money to get me in. It’s nice for a footballer to have that feeling where a club backs you that much. I feel like I am at AFC Wimbledon."
Well done, a mark of respect and appreciation to Wally... I, for one, won’t forget being among you all on the terraces savouring the uplifting Great Escape, and big thanks
@MisterGLS
#AFCWimbledon
are English football’s best-run outfit, according to a report by
#FairGame
— a group of academics, clubs & financial experts - and based on four criteria — financial sustainability, good governance, fan engagement and equality standards
“He was clearly optimistic on the future, having bought his debenture and transferred his five-year season ticket to our new ground at
#PloughLane
. Having not seen us play at Plough Lane for 29 and a half seasons, he got to within a month of seeing it happen.”
#RIPJohnDay
Charlie Lakin, who was sent back by Wimbledon from his loan to parent club Burton in January, has become a key player at
#SuttonUnited
, scoring five goals and picking up four assists in 17 outings.
An O’s fan ... “The Dons' profligacy in front of goal cost them. I counted at least four great scoring chances Wimbledon wasted, with wide-open shots skying over the net and one goal-bound strike headed off the line. Get one of those to count, and it's a much different game.”
Ali "Johnnie Jackson was just great at getting the best out of me, giving me the belief and the confidence to just go and do what I do best. From the moment I walked into Wimbledon to the day I left, he filled me with confidence and belief."
With
#Chelsea
to play four or five youngsters from their Academy and no doubt a few Academy-reared lads in the Dons squad as well, Mark Robinson’s handiwork will be on full display in the Stamford Bridge cup tie. He’ll be looking on proudly and so he should.
Steve Seddon - I have a connection and staying is not out of the question. I feel I care about the club as much as anyone. That’s part of my personality – I buy into a place. And they have been great to me here. They’ve set me up in a flat and I’m loving it.
#afcwimbledon
#AFCWimbledon
averages 4,500 crowds yet they have mobilised an army of 600 volunteers who have put their lives on hold to help others. These are the new heroes of the original Wimbledon Crazy Gang, who shook the football world by beating Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final.
Robbo comes to Plough Lane when he can and was in the crowd as the Dons knocked out Coventry City in the Carabao Cup. "It was great to see us win and to see the fans enjoying themselves. I only live 15 minutes up the road, so it was great to see the supporters smiling."
Great news
@BlackpoolST
@KnightTangerine
congratulations on your continued opposition to the Oystons...hopefully the club can now move on with the supporters all behind it ...✊
JJ "Will epitomises what this football club is about. He will run through brick walls for this club, for anyone he is playing for, and for his team-mates. He has got that attitude and character about him and he showed that in abundance , as well as getting a goal.”