Next up in our series previewing next season’s newest opponents in League One is AFC Wimbledon, who were victorious at Wembley in the League Two play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday.
2024/25 Campaign
The Dons had a barnstorming start to the 2024/25 season, winning four of their first five league matches, including a 3-0 victory over bitter rivals Milton Keynes but tailed off towards mid-table as the season headed into its first quarter in November. Thankfully for Wimbledon though, they never lost more than two in a row throughout the season and picked up form again towards the end of 2024. Between December and February, Dons lost just one of 17 league matches as they reached as high as second throughout the run. Three defeats from four at the start of March, followed by some frustrating draws saw the South West Londoners drop back into the play-off places, and a difficult patch towards the end of the season meant they were unable to reach the top three. Just two wins in their final nine league matches was hardly ideally preparation for a play-off campaign that was only secured on the final day with a win at Grimsby. Notts County were their semi-final opponents, who they dispatched 1-0 in each leg to set up a final under the arch with Walsall. Miles Hippolyte’s first half strike decided that final, as they secured a return to League One for the first time since 2022.
The Manager
A former player who made over 250 appearances at Charlton Athletic, Johnnie Jackson joined Wimbledon as manager from the Addicks in 2022 after their relegation from League One in 2022. Having led them to a 21st place finish in his first season, he has demonstrated year on year improvement with tenth place last time out before his successful play-off campaign this time around. He signed a new contract with the club in February 2024, committing to the Dons til at least 2026.
The Stadium
Sitting on Plough Lane, 200 yards east of the site of original Wimbledon FC stadium, the Cherry Red Records Stadium opened in November 2020 during the Covid pandemic, meaning Dons fans had to wait nine months before they could step inside their new ground. The club moved to the ground from Kingsmeadow on Kingston after 18 years at the venue, and it can hold 9,200 fans – though was built with expansion of up to 20,000 in mind. The ground is also home to London Broncos rugby league side, and also hosted the 2022 Women’s Conti Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Head to Head Record
Matches Played: 9
Exeter City wins: 4
Draws: 1
AFC Wimbledon wins: 4
First competitive match: October 28, 2006 | Exeter City 2-1 AFC Wimbledon | FA Cup
Last competitive match: December 28, 2015 | Exeter City 0-2 AFC Wimbledon | League Two
Biggest Exeter City win: 2-0 (November 2012, August 2013)
Biggest AFC Wimbledon win: 4-1 (December 2014)
Previous Fixture
December 28, 2015 | Exeter City 0-2 AFC Wimbledon | League Two
First-half goals from Wimbledon’s Tom Elliott and Lyle Taylor handed Exeter City their third successive league defeat.
Exeter City: Olejnik, Woodman, Oakley (Ribeiro 82’), Holmes, Davies (Watkins 79’), Nicholls, Moore-Taylor, Reid, Nichols (Morrison 58’), Tillson, Grant.
Subs: Hamon, Butterfield, McAllister, McCready.
Played for Both
Former goalkeeper Lewis Ward is currently on the books at AFC Wimbledon and may return to St James Park next season, while Ben Purrington spent half a season on loan at the club in 2018, making 28 appearances. Angus MacDonald spent a couple of months on loan with the Dons, while goalkeeper Ashley Bayes, who spent three years in EX4, is now the goalkeeper coach at Wimbledon having registered as a player in 2013.
Did You Know?
AFC Wimbledon currently hold the record for the longest unbeaten run of league matches in English senior football, having played 78 consecutive league games without a defeat between February 2003 and December 2004.