RECKLESS GUIDE TO AFC WIMBLEDON

AFC WIMBLEDON

Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 3rd October 2015

Kick Off 3.00 pm

Stadium Kingsmeadow Jack Goodchild Way, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 3PB

Telephone 020 8547 3528

Club Colours Blue and Yellow

Nickname The Wombles or Dons

Key Personnel

Manager Neil Ardley spent the majority of his playing career at Wimbledon between 1991 and 2002. Spells at Watford, Cardiff City and Millwall followed before he retired from playing in 2007. He also made 10 appearances for England under 21's. He then spent five years as manager of the Cardiff City Academy before taking the managerial post at AFC in October 2012.

Brief Directions by Road From the M25 exit at junction 10 joining the A3 northbound towards London. Look out for signs to New Malden and Worcester Park turning left into Malden Road (A2043) signposted Kingston. Straight on to the roundabout taking the first exit into Kingston Road (still the A2043) and Kingsmeadow is one approx mile on the left. From the A3, via the North Circular A406, out of London head for New Malden and Worcester Park and you will eventually rendezvous with the A2043 – see above.

Car Parking Car parking at the ground is at a premium and the surrounding streets, although fairly unrestricted is very congested so be prepared for a walk to the ground when you do find a space.

Directions by Train

Norbiton is the nearest British Rail station to the ground which is served by London Waterloo. A 15 minute walk awaits from Norbiton. New Malden is another station option with a slightly longer (25 minutes) walk to the ground but this option offers more “amenities” if you know what I mean? The 131 bus from here passes the ground.

Eating and Drinking Locally

Close to New Malden station you will find The Fountain and the Glasshouse which both come recommended by my spies.

Nearer to the ground you will find the Duke of Wellington and The Prince of Wales, both on Kingston Road. Reckless Recommendation for a bit of class? The Glasshouse, 14 Coombe Road New Malden, Surrey KT3 4QE – nice menu and very comfortable according to my contacts. The social club did admit away fans for our last visit, although one is scrutinised quite thoroughly before entry is allowed. There is a Chip Shop directly outside the ground for which I have received mixed reviews – a chip is not just a chip and a piece of battered haddock is not just a piece of battered haddock!

Ground Description

As you are aware AFC Wimbledon ground share with Kingstonian and various improvements have taken place since AFC took over the leasehold. The Paul Shrank main stand has been extended and now has room for nearly 1,300 although is only 8 rows deep. The recently built Nongshim stand is behind one goal and is all seated The Your Golf or East side terrace is joined by the Chemflow terrace at behind the other goals. Our home for the afternoon will an area of the aforementioned Your Golf terrace.

Admission Prices

Adults £16,00 Concessions £10,00 Under 18's £4.00

Previous Meetings and Memories

Monday 1^st April 2013 was our last visit. The Bees came home with the much needed three points thanks to a debut goal from Keanu Marsh-Brown.

There have only been four recent meetings between the two clubs unless we go way back in time to the days of the Southern League when we were frankly bitter enemies in footballing terms with Wimbledon. But I then ask you, are AFC the same club? All I can say is that we had 10 years of head to heads between 1966 and 1976 always in front of better than average attendances. One of my first ever Barnet away games was Boxing Day 1968 when a Les Eason goal was not enough in a 2-1 defeat at the old Plough Lane.

Les Eason was an outstanding player for Barnet

Celebrity Watch

All time reckless hell raiser Oliver Reed was born here as were actors Martin Clues and Margaret Rutherford. Naturalist Kate Humble, TV's Davina McCall and The Wombles (annoying furry creatures with obsessive compulsive disorder – was one of them John Cosgrove?) also live nearby. Allegedly one of my non sporting heroes, Steve-o from Jackass TV, was born in Wimbledon before emigrating to the USA.

I would have loved to have met this geezer