CLAIMS TO FAME

AFC WIMBLEDON

1 WASTING NO TIME

Following the club’s formation in 2002 ( after the original was controversially relocated to Milton Keynes) AFC Wimbledon took just nine seasons to become a Football League side. They’re the only team founded in the 21st century to do so, taking in five promotions from the Combined Counties all the way up to League Two. They spent six seasons in League One from 201617, but went down last term. Next stop the Champions League?

2 REAL INVINCIBLES

Forget Arsenal’s 2003- 04 vintage, the Gunners weren’t even the standout English side that year! AFC Wimbledon actually hold the record for the longest unbeaten league streak in English football history, with 78 consecutive games without a loss between February 2003 and December 2004. Decent.

3 BEAST MODE

From 2014 to 2016, the League Two Dons contained a cult hero of the FIFA computer game franchise. Powerhouse Adebayo Akinfenwa was regularly listed as the title’s strongest player, with a score of 99 out of 100. The self- proclaimed ‘ Beast’ received a Guinness World Record for his troubles as well.

4 HOME SWEET HOME

In November 2020, the Dons finally departed Kingsmeadow, in Kingston upon Thames, for their newly built Plough Lane stadium, just 200 yards from the original Wimbledon’s home in south- west London. The 9,000- seat ground was paid for by the club’s fans and already has permission to be extended to 20,000 if required.

5 SOLID DEFENDING

Few football squads can claim a member of a chart- topping rap group, but that’s precisely what the Dons had. In 2003 Wimbledon signed left- back Michael Harvey, better known as So Solid Crew’s MC Harvey. Seldom played 90 minutes, coming off with 21 Seconds to go.