AFC Wimbledon is returning to Plough Lane on Tuesday after 29 years.
Having spent 18 years at Kingsmeadow and the start of the 2020-21 season at QPR, their newly built stadium will be ready, as the Dons face Doncaster Rovers on November 3.
Plough Lane in Merton is considered as the spiritual Home of AFC Wimbledon. The original Wimbledon FC was forced to move out in 1991, only three years after its famous FA Cup Final win over Liverpool. The new stadium, which has a capacity of 9,300, is a realisation of a dream for the club.
“Plough Lane is in the blood for Wimbledon fans,” said Dons supporter Lee Willett.
Following the reformation of AFC Wimbledon in 2002, the club held trials on Wimbledon Common, started in the Combined Counties League, and has since had six promotions, but moving into a new stadium is the biggest achievement.
“The new stadium means everything to the club and the supporters,” said Chris Slavin, AFC Wimbledon Press Officer.
Unfortunately, due to Coronavirus restrictions the Doncaster Rovers game will be played without fans.
“Of course, after 29 years since the club played in its home borough of Merton, to play the first match back in Wimbledon’s spiritual home without fans feels hollow,” said Chris.
“As a fans-owned club, the supported have waited for so long to watch their team play a match back at Plough Lane.”
Considering the significance of the occasion, Chief Executive, Joe Palmer said: “The Doncaster game will mark a real milestone. Not only will we be opening the doors on our brand-new home, we will also be witnessing the start of a brand-new era for our club.
“While all this is fantastic news and November 3 promises to be a momentous occasion for everyone, there will be one major ingredient missing when Glyn leads his team out for that first game. If anybody deserves to be there that night it is, of course, the fans.”
Having ground shared at QPR’s Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, the Dons finally earned a home league win at QPR on Tuesday night with a victory against Blackpool. “It's nice to get a win here eventually,” said manager Glyn Hodges, a firm favourite of the fans with over 230 appearances for the club in its glory days. “Apart from the EFL Trophy, it has not been a happy hunting ground for us, but we've got the win now and I'd like to thank QPR for hosting us, it's been absolutely brilliant playing here.”
Chris Slavin added: “QPR were great hosts for three months since our first home game there in mid-August against Charlton in the EFL Trophy. Staff at the Championship club helped to make us feel at home, acting within the guidelines for Covid-19 protocols. Only two members of club media could gain access pitch side and, in the tunnel, (‘the red zone’) with managers brought up to the media suite for post-match interviews. The press box was obviously different with social distancing observed. However, it was all done in a friendly way and we can only thank QPR for their hospitality in difficult circumstances.”
Prior to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, AFC left Kingsmeadow after 18 years.
“Though the ultimate goal was always to get back to Plough Lane, Kingsmeadow provided a host of great memories,” said Chris. “It brought famous FA Cup nights, including the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in 2015 when it needed Steven Gerrard at his best to defeat the Dons. There was also the memorable FA Cup win against West Ham, Wimbledon triumphing 4-2 in February 2019.”
Other highlights included the first home league game in August 2002 versus Chipstead when fans were locked out; and the 6-1 second leg play-off semi-final victory versus Fleetwood.
“This was a real highlight,” said Chris. “The Dons moved to within 90 minutes of reclaiming their rightful place in the Football League, just nine years after starting again.”
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, there was no ‘Kingsmeadow Farewell’ match.
“Fans would have loved a chance to properly mark leaving the venue – and it was tinged with sadness that the final match there was an uneventful 0-0 draw versus Bolton Wanderers at the start of March,” said Chris. No one thought it would be Wimbledon’s final game there, but everything changed when lockdown caused the League One season to be curtailed.”
