League One lowdown: Your guide to AFC Wimbledon

Our League One lowdown continues as we take a look at Sunderland’s 2018-19 opposition.

Next up, we put AFC Wimbledon under the microscope…

2017-18: THE STORY

AFC Wimbledon’s rise reached new heights in 2016, as the club played League One football for the first time in their 16-year history. After staying up in 2016-17, the Dons gave another decent account of themselves last season as they secured their third-tier status with one game to spare, and Neal Ardley will be hoping to further consolidate their status in the division during the upcoming campaign.

STADIUM: KINGSMEADOW

With a capacity of 4,850, Kingsmeadow is the smallest stadium the red and white army will visit during the 2018-19 campaign. Named the ‘Cherry Red Records Stadium’ for sponsorship purposes, Kingsmeadow opened in 1989 and was home to Kingstonian until 2017. Wimbledon have played in the stadium since they were founded in 2002, at which time they were playing in the Combined Counties League. Away fans are usually housed in one side of the Rygas Stand, which is located on one side of the pitch. This is a small terrace and can accommodate up to 725 fans, and approximately 94 seats are also made available in the John Green Stand.

MANAGER: NEAL ARDLEY

Neal Ardley rose through the ranks at Wimbledon and went on to play 245 games for the club. He helped the Dons to sixth place in the Premier League during the 1993-94 campaign as they matched their highest finish, but he left to join Watford in 2002, two seasons after the club were relegated from the top tier. Spells with Cardiff City and Millwall followed before he moved into coaching with the former in 2010, with his first job in management coming with Wimbledon when he moved to Kingsmeadow in October 2012. Ardley has remained in charge and guided the club to League One after defeating Plymouth Argyle in the 2016 League Two play-off final.

TOP SCORER: LYLE TAYLOR

Wimbledon reportedly face a battle to keep Lyle Taylor, with Sunderland among those linked with a move for the 27-year-old. The in-demand striker bagged 18 goals during the 2017-18 campaign, including 12 in a 14-game spell. Taylor is the club’s record goalscorer in the Football League having netted 44 times since arriving from Scunthorpe United in 2015. Wimbledon have offered the speedy striker a new deal, and his decision could play a key role in determining their fortunes during the upcoming campaign.  

LAST MEETING: NEVER

The Dons are one of five League One teams that have never faced Sunderland in first-team competition, and the Lads have never played at Kingsmeadow so it will be an historic meeting when the sides meet for the first time.

Back to top