I saw my first Wimbledon FC match fifty-one years ago, aged eight, when my father took me to see an Isthmian League fixture at Plough Lane. He told me that he had been taken to see his first match by my grandfather at about the same age, and our family legends boast that my grandfather used to watch Wimbledon Old Centrals play on Wimbledon Common!! Unfortunately the tradition was not carried on with my twin boys, as I emigrated to Australia in 1966, and it would have been a long trip for us each Saturday. However, they did follow my lead and became supporters-in-spirit, from down-under.
I remember Wimbledon’s glory days at Plough Lane of Eddie Reynolds, Roy Law, John Martin, Mike Kelly, Les Brown et al; the great 4-2 result at Wembley against Sutton United in 1963; promotion to the Southern League – I was actually there!!
I remember reading about the clubs milestones in the Wimbledon Boro News clippings that my father posted to me after I left England. The promotion to the Football League and the divisional promotions (and relegations) to reach the First Division quicker than any other newly elected club, along with the many other feats that rewrote the record books. I remember the tragedy of my father’s death in Dec 1987, just five months before the unbelievable Cup victory. I’m still upset that the man upstairs didn’t allowed him that bit of “extra time” to watch his beloved team get the most cherished prize of all - I would have gladly donated six months of my life for him to see that.
When my wife and I holidayed in England in 1999 (my first since emigrating) and 2001, we went during the football season so that I could squeeze in seeing a couple of matches. It was exciting to see the Dons live again, but the “family” atmosphere at Wimbledon FC that I remembered from the 1966 Southern League days were gone. WFC has been a part of my family life and tradition for a long time now and I have followed their progress with a mixture of wonder, amazement and excitement – and, recently, with a profound sadness. It is a travesty that a club with such a long and proud history, should sink to such a confrontational position with its greatest asset – its supporters.
Without the supporters there is no club; without the club, there will always be supporters (albeit supporting another team).
However, with all my family’s tradition and all my memories of the “old” WFC I knew and loved, I find my interest and allegiance for them rapidly deserting me.
When my son Andrew told me of the formation of AFC Wimbledon, it rekindled a surge of interest and emotion that I haven’t felt for a long time about the Dons. I now have the addresses of the AFC Wimbledon sites firmly fixed in my “Favourites”, and I’m looking forward to reading about the new club’s exploits in the coming seasons. I must admit it brought a large lump in the back of my throat when I read about the suggestion that AFC Wimbledon could possibly return to Plough Lane. Even if it is only a pipe dream, it’s a wonderful pipe dream…………just imagine………………..what if……………..
Some supporters may regard Plough Lane as the spiritual home of the Dons, but to me it is the only home they’ve had. It is the only home ground I’ve known for them – apart from the few visits I made to Selhurst Park, whilst on holiday. Even though the matches I saw there were listed as “home” matches, to me they were all “aways”, because they weren’t at Plough Lane.
My son Andrew’s wife Wendy, has a sister Michelle living in England who would be the most one-eyed, dyed-in-the-wool supporter any team could ever wish for. She has insisted that all of us here down-under have got to become AFC Wimbledon supporters or die a horrible death!!!!
Apart from being terrified by her threat, I think I will willingly join your enthusiastic band of followers, even though I live so far away and have supported Wimbledon FC for most of my life.
We offer our congratulations and best wishes to you all, for your courage and integrity in taking this dramatic stand for what you believe in, and what you believe to be in the best interest of football fans everywhere.
Regards from an ex-pat Womble (and proud of it),
George Iles