History

AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 as a response by supporters to Wimbledon FC’s relocation to Milton Keynes.

They entered the Premier Division of the Combined Counties league, a division that they would win at just the second attempt.

This started an ascent up the pyramid that saw them win the Isthmian League First Division and then win promotion to the Conference through the play-offs in 2008.

After several years at Conference level they again tasted play-off success in 2011, beating Luton Town in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the Football League.

They finished their debut campaign 16th in the League Two table but had to secure their league status on the final day last season following one of the closest relegation fights in history.

Why You Might Know Them…

The club hold the distinction of being the first club to be formed in the 21st century to make it into the Football League.

Manager

Neal Ardley

The former Wimbledon, Watford, Cardiff and Millwall midfielder is celebrating a year in charge at Kingsmeadow after replacing Terry Brown as manager last season.

He guided his new side to safety on the final day last season after being handed the task of keeping the club in the league.

As a player he’d prepared for coaching at an early age, taking his first coaching badges at just 24. He was previously the Academy Manager at Cardiff City.

One to Watch

Michael Smith

The former Stanley loanee will forever have a little bit of Reds’ history on his CV after he netted the first goal of the post John Coleman era in the course of bagging a hat-trick in a 4-3 win over Gillingham in January 2012.

He played half a dozen times in his loan spell from Charlton and is now enjoying a similar spell at Kingsmeadow.

He is Wimbledon’s top scorer so far this season having found the net five times.

The Ground

Kingsmeadow is shared by AFC Wimbledon and Kingstonian with the former having started playing there in 2002 before purchasing the ground a year later.

The current capacity is 4850 – the record attendance for an AFC Wimbledon game was the match with Exeter in April when 4749 came through the turnstiles.

There have been four previous meetings between the sides and Stanley boast a 100% record with four wins.

Last season the Reds were 2-1 winners at Kingsmeadow before recording a 4-0 home win over the Dons at the Store First Stadium – Francis Jeffers scored twice and Lee Molyneux and Will Hatfield were the other scorers for Stanley

Neal Ardley’s side have lost their last two matches, against Northampton and Cheltenham. Before last weekend they had been unbeaten at home.

They are eleventh in League Two having picked up 16 points from their ten games so far.

Stanley are still looking for their first league win of the season and lost 2-1 to Dagenham & Redbridge last time out.

They remain 24th in League Two – six points behind Northampton Town who are 23rd.

Wimbledon striker Charlie Sheringham is out with an ankle problem but winger Kevin Saint Luce could return. Defender Will Antwi is back in the squad after a hip injury.

Stanley duo James Gray and Shay McCartan are away on international duty and Laurence Wilson, Michael Liddle are both definitely still out through injury.

Striker Danny Webber may return to the squad following his hamstring injury, whilst James Beattie could restore Ian Dunbavin to his 18 after the goalkeeper returned to training.

AFC Wimbledon Goalscorers

Michael Smith 5
Harry Pell 3
Luke Moore 2
Chris Arthur 1
Andy Frampton 1
Jack Midson 1

Accrington Stanley Goalscorers

Peter Murphy 2
James Gray 2
Kayode Odejayi 1
Danny Webber 1
Marcus Carver 1
Piero Mingoia 1

The Man in the Middle

Gary Sutton (Lincolnshire)

So Far This Season: Six games, 19 yellow cards, one red
Last Stanley Game:  01/04/2013 – ASFC 3 Burton Albion 3

Website

www.afcwimbledon.co.uk

Twitter

@AFCWimbledon