AFC Wimbledon overview

AFC Wimbledon vs Harrogate Town AFC

INTRO:

Founded in 2002 by supporters of the original Wimbledon FC after its controversial relocation to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, AFC Wimbledon was formed and entered into the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, the ninth tier of English Football.

With the Wimbledon fans keen to maintain the club’s rich history and connection with its local community in London, their beginning from grassroots all the way up to the football league has quickly gained traction being promoted six times in thirteen seasons, being the first club formed in the 21st century to be promoted to the Football League.

In recent years, AFC Wimbledon’s progress has been steady, spending six seasons in the 3rd tier from 2016-2021 and reaching a club high of finishing 15th in League One back in 2016/17, before being relegated back down to League Two where they have cemented themselves ever since with the hope of reaching the play-off places and gain promotion.

Last season was their closest effort in achieving this, finishing in 10th position and merely 5 points off the play-off places. With proven goalscorers at this level in their side such as Mathew Stevens and Omar Bugiel, manager Johnnie Jackson will have his sights set on those top 7 places come the end of the season.

After originally playing at the Kingsmeadow stadium since 2002, The Dons made a return to Plough Lane in November 2020 which is considered to be their spiritual home.

MANAGER:

In May 2022, AFC Wimbledon appointed Johnnie Jackson former Charlton Athletic manager as their new head coach on a two-year deal. He took the reins for The Dons in replace of Mark Bowen following their relegation from League One. 

After hanging up his boots at with Charlton Athletic, Jackson’s managerial career kicked off with a brief stint as caretaker manager winning nine of his thirteen matches before making his job permanent with the club in December 2021. However, after a mediocre 13th  place finish, Jackson was dismissed at the end of the season.

Following a good start to life as the Wimbledon manager, Jackson was awarded the EFL League Two Manager of the Month award in November 2022 with seven points from three matches.

Presently, Jackson alongside assistant manager Terry Skiverton extended their contacts back in February 2024 for another two years until 2026.

3 KEY PLAYERS:

Mathew Stevens:

After signing on a free transfer from relegated Forest Green Rovers in the summer, Stevens has been the main talisman for The Dons having already netted 7 goals in League Two this season. With a hat-trick against Carlisle back in October as well as a brace against Barrow, Stevens has made himself a fan favourite.

Scoring 9 goals in 28 appearances in last season's League Two campaign for Forest Green Rovers, Stevens cemented himself in the category of players too good to go down and has continued to impress at this level. The 26-year-old signed for Wimbledon on a two-year deal and has made a fast start to life in navy blue having scored on his debut in a 4-2 win over Colchester United in August.

Stevens has also made a good impression on new boss Johnnie Jackson with him featuring in every league match in the 2024/25 campaign.

Omar Bugiel:

Having won The Dons’ Player of the Season award last year Omar Bugiel is one to watch again this campaign especially with more firepower around him with the likes of Joe Pigott, Mathew Stevens, and Josh Kelly.

With 18 goal contributions in 41 league appearances in the 2023/24 season, Bugiel is renowned for being potent in and around the box. The Lebanese international made his move to Plough Lane from Sutton United in June 2023, and after impressing in his first season, the forward extended his contact for a further two years back in April.

The 30-year-old has a steady start for The Dons this season with contributing to 5 goals in 13 matches, including a fine display in the first round of the FA Cup against bitter rivals Milton Keynes Dons, where he provided an assist for Mathew Stevens’ opener and found the net himself early in the second half.

Owen Goodman:

The new 20-year-old goalkeeper has proved to be a force between this sticks this season after signing for The Dons on loan from Crystal Palace in the summer, having kept 7 clean sheets in his short time with the club.

Goodman spent last season with Colchester united being their number one, making 38 appearances in League Two, and played a key role in assuring their survival by 3 points. After losing one of the top-performing goalkeepers in the league last season in Alex Bass to Notts County, the goalkeeper position was in need of recruitment.

He’s settled into the role with ease with the highlight so far coming in September where he saved two penalties in a shoot-out to knock Premier League opposition Ipswich Town out of the EFL Cup.