days in may :: (afc) wimbledon (fc)

Updated: Dons promoted to Conference South!!

Reports
• South London Press: Dramatic comeback seals Dons’ promotion
• The Times: AFC Wimbledon fans provide impetus for upwardly mobile Brown
• AFC Wimbledon Club Match Report
• Phone Cam Experience of Match

20 years ago, on May 14, myself and 37,000 other Wimbledon FC supporters watched one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history when the Crazy Gang beat the so called Culture Club 1-0 at Wembley.

The team included many names of note, Fash the Bash (a.k.a. John Fashanu), Pyscho (a.k.a. Vinnie Jones), Dennis Wise, Dave Bessant - who saved the penalty and Laurie Sanchez - who scored the goal. Terry Phelan played and is now the player manager for Otago FC.

Here’s a video from the BBC’s build up for the Cup which captures the Crazy Gang spirit.

It didn’t seem long after this high that things went awry, Hillsborough meant all-seater stadiums and the Dons moved from their home of Plough Lane to sharing with Crystal Palace. I never enjoyed Selhurst Park and my defining memory is of tears, the day we were relegated from the Premiership.

Then the whole ugly Franchise FC decision happened and the club’s financial owners moved it from South London to Milton Keynes. There’s a great Guardian article on the franchise issue, which includes a mention of George W. Bush. As a result of this AFC Wimbldeon was born and have been steadily moving up through the league pyramid of English football.

A video overview of the AFC Wimbledon story.

Today they play Staines in the playoffs for promotion to Conference South.

They won promotion!!!

Go you Dons!!!