2019/20 Opposition Guide: AFC Wimbledon

Ahead of Wanderers' 2019/20 Sky Bet League One campaign, bwfc.co.uk will profile the various opponents the team will be pitting their wits against this term.

In our latest article, we have AFC Wimbledon...

Nickname: The Dons, The Wombles

Founded: May 2002

Stadium: Cherry Red Records Stadium (Kingsmeadow)

Capacity: 4.850 (2,265 seats)

2018/19 Finish: 20th in League One

2018/19 Top Scorer: Joe Pigott, 18 in all competitions

Manager: Wally Downes

A man who spent the vast majority of his playing career with Wimbledon under their former guise (1979 - 1988), Wally Downes' managerial career is still relatively in its infancy. 

Spending brief stints with Newport County, Sheffield United and Hayes before hanging up his boots in 1988, the former midfielder's first foray into the management game wasn't until 2002 when he enjoyed two seasons in charge of Brentford.

Later moving out to India to take the reins at Kerala Blasters between 2016 and 2017, he returned to England and was named AFC Wimbledon boss in December 2018 following Neal Ardley's departure and led the Dons to survival in Sky Bet League One.

Last season meanwhile, he again ensured that the London outfit would be a third tier outfit once again in 2019/20 by achieving a 20th place finish in the league standings.

Distance From The University Of Bolton Stadium: 234 miles

Getting To The Ground

Cherry Red Records Stadium,
Kingston Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
KT1 3PB

By Car: Take Junction 10 on the M25 and follow the A3 northbound into London. At the exit for New Malden/Worcester Park, turn off and take the left into Malden Road (A2043) towards Kingston.

Follow this to the next roundabout and take the first exit into Kingston Road (A2043 still) and the stadium is one mile on the left. If you are travelling using a sat nav or GPS to the stadium, the club's address is KT1 3PB.

By Bus: You can take the 131 bus, which stops right outside the ground, from Wimbledon Station or Kingston Town Centre.

The full 131 bus route runs through: Kingston - New Malden - Raynes Park - Wimbledon - Colliers Wood - Tooting Broadway

Nearest Train Station: Norbiton, which is less than a mile away from the stadium.

Trains run from Waterloo run every 15 minutes via Clapham Junction and Wimbledon (terminating at Shepperton or Strawberry Hill).

Leave the station via the back exit, and take the first left onto Norbiton Avenue.

Follow the road round to the left and then turn right onto Gloucester Road. Take a left on to Cambridge Road and walk 400 yards until you reach the stadium on your right.

Head to Head: Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon have only met on two previous occasions back in 2016/17, with the Whites running out 2-1 winners at Kingsmeadow courtesy of Liam Trotter's late effort while the spoils were shared at BL6 in a 1-1 draw.

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