After eighteen years, Wimbledon finally returned to Plough Lane. Sadly, their return was without fans and without a win. But that was overshadowed by the opening of their new ground.
In 2002 Wimbledon had been relocated to Milton Keynes, renamed MK dons and locals fans were left without a club. Fans did not give up and AFC WImbledon was formed in 2002, with trials first held on Wimbledon Common and were put in the Combined Counties league. They had two aims: to return to English Football League and return to Plough Lane. Wimbledon easily rose to League two in 2011 but the second aim took longer.
At first they shared a ground with Kingstonian from 2003 but still wished to return to their spiritual home. Permission was finally granted to build in 2015 but not till 2018 did building work finally begin. But in November, Wimbledon announced a shortfall of eleven million in order to complete the stadium. Fans once again rallied, raising £5.4m to fund the stadium.
Wimbledon’s return got off to a perfect start after Doncaster goalkeeper Terrel Thomas saved a shot and Joe Piggot scored the rebound. But Doncaster soon equalized with Doncaster scoring after Wimbledon failed to clear and Matthew Smith scored. Wimbledon looked like they had won the match when Piggot scored in the eighty second minute after Steve Suddon passed the ball to him and he smashed it past him from eight yards out. But Wimbledon fell foul to previous mistakes of conceding late on when they failed to clear a cross and James Coppinger scored.
This match marked the return of Wimbledon to their true home and puts an end to one of English Football’s most amazing stories. While Wimbledon’s rise up the football pyramid has stagnated in recent years, they still remain a powerful force with a great army of fans. They will surely continue to defy expectations and continue their journey.
