AFC Wimbledon is an English professional association football club, based at Plough Lane in Wimbledon, Greater London. The club was formed on 30 May 2002 by supporters of Wimbledon Football Club, led by Kris Stewart, Marc Jones and Trevor Williams who strongly opposed the decision of an independent commission appointed by the FA to allow the relocation of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes, to be subsequently rebranded as MK Dons.[1]
The club was accepted into the Combined Counties League for the 2002–03 season and proceeded to rise through the non-League system, winning five promotions in nine seasons to return to the Football League less than a decade after the original Wimbledon Football Club had still been competing in the top flight of English football.[2] AFC Wimbledon's average home attendance at league fixtures for their first season exceeded 3,000 – higher than the average attendance in the same season of Wimbledon F.C., who were still playing in the First Division (now the Football League Championship).[3]
This list encompasses the major honours won by AFC Wimbledon and records set by the club, its managers and its players. The player records section includes details of the club's leading goalscorers and those who have made the most competitive first-team appearances. The club's attendance records are also included in the list.
As of 2020, AFC Wimbledon still hold the record for the longest run of unbeaten league games at any level of senior football in the United Kingdom.[4] The club remained unbeaten for 78 league matches between 26 February 2003 (a 3–1 away win at Chessington United) and 27 November 2004 (a 2–1 away win at Bashley).[5]
The club's record appearance maker is defender Barry Fuller, who made 233 appearances in all competitions between 2013 and 2018 and the club's record goalscorer is Kevin Cooper, who scored 104 goals in 99 appearances in all competitions between 2002 and 2004.
Following the move of Wimbledon F.C. to Milton Keynes and its rebranding as Milton Keynes Dons, there was much debate over the rightful home of all the honours won by Wimbledon F.C.. Former supporters argued that the trophies won by Wimbledon F.C. rightfully belong to the community of Wimbledon and should be returned to the local area. AFC Wimbledon believe that the honours of Wimbledon F.C. belong to the fans, as illustrated by the following statement on the club's official website:
In October 2006, an agreement was reached between Milton Keynes Dons F.C., the MK Dons Supporters Association, the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association and the Football Supporters Federation. The replica of the FA Cup plus all club patrimony gathered under the name of Wimbledon F.C. would be returned to the London Borough of Merton. Ownership of trademarks and website domain names related to Wimbledon F.C. would also be transferred to the Borough. It was also agreed that any reference made to Milton Keynes Dons F.C. should refer only to events after 7 August 2004, the date of the first league match played as Milton Keynes Dons. As a result of this deal, the Football Supporters Federation announced that the supporters of Milton Keynes Dons would be permitted to become members of the federation, and that it would no longer appeal to the supporters of other clubs to boycott MK Dons matches.[6] The replica trophies and Wimbledon F.C. memorabilia were returned to Merton on 2 August 2007.[7]
Only honours won by AFC Wimbledon are listed here. For a list of honours won by Wimbledon F.C., see Wimbledon F.C. Honours
The following table shows the 10 players who have made the most appearances for AFC Wimbledon in Football League matches as well as all major Football League cup competitions in descending order. The statistics only incorporate appearances made by players since AFC Wimbledon gained promotion to the Football League in 2011. In instances where two players have the same total number of appearances, higher number of total starts shall be given precedence when determining ranking. The figure in parentheses is the number of appearances made by a player as a substitute. The figures also take into account appearances made by players whilst they were on loan to AFC Wimbledon from a parent club.
| width=2% | width=17% | Name | width=9% | Seasons | width=13% | Football League | width=10% | FA Cup | width=10% | League Cup | width=12% | League Trophy | width=10% | Play-offs | width=10% | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry Fuller | 2013–2018 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | George Francomb | 2012–2018 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | Will Nightingale | 2014– | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | Andy Barcham | 2015–2019 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 | Jake Reeves | 2015– | |||||||||||||||
| 6 | Joe Pigott | 2018–2021 | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Sammy Moore | 2011–2015 | |||||||||||||||
| 8 | Anthony Hartigan | 2017–2022 | |||||||||||||||
| 9 |  Lyle Taylor | 2015–2018 | |||||||||||||||
| 10 | Dannie Bulman | 2014–2017 | |||||||||||||||
The following table shows the players who have made 100 appearances or more for AFC Wimbledon in semi-professional league matches (spanning from the Combined Counties Premier League up until the Conference National) as well as in all major Non–League cup competitions (including the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup, the Isthmian League Cup and the Conference League Cup) in descending order. The statistics only incorporate appearances made by players prior to AFC Wimbledon gaining promotion to the Football League in 2011. In instances where two players have the same total number of appearances, league appearances shall be given precedence when determining ranking. The figure in parentheses is the number of appearances made by a player as a substitute.
| width=15% | Name | width=13% | Seasons | width=13% | Non–League | width=13% | Non–League Cup | width=10% | FA Cup | width=13% | FA Trophy | width=10% | FA Vase | width=19% | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Hatton | 2007–2012 | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | Antony Howard | 2004–2008 | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | Andy Little | 2005–2010 | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | Danny Kedwell | 2008–2011 | ||||||||||||||
| 5 | Luke Garrard | 2006–2010 | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | Gavin Bolger | 2002–2005 | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | Jon Main | 2007–2010 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | Richard Butler | 2004–2007 |
The following table shows the 10 players who have scored the most goals for AFC Wimbledon in all Football League matches as well as all major Football League cup competitions in descending order. The statistics only incorporate appearances and goals made by players since AFC Wimbledon gained promotion to the Football League in 2011. In instances where two players have the same total goal tally, lower number of total appearances shall be given precedence when determining ranking. The figure in parentheses shows the total number of appearances made in relation to goals scored. The figures also take into account appearances made by players whilst they were on loan to AFC Wimbledon from a parent club.
| width=2% | width=17% | Name | width=9% | Seasons | width=13% | Football League | width=10% | FA Cup | width=10% | League Cup | width=12% | League Trophy | width=10% | Play-offs | width=10% | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lyle Taylor | 2015–2018 | |||||||||||||||
| 2 | Joe Pigott | 2018–2021 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 | Jack Midson | 2011–2014 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 |  Ali Al-Hamadi | 2023–2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 5 |  Ayoub Assal | 2019–2023 | |||||||||||||||
| 6 | Adebayo Akinfenwa | 2014–2016 | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Tom Elliott | 2015–2017 | |||||||||||||||
| 8 | Luke Moore | 2011–2014 | |||||||||||||||
| 9 | Josh Davison | 2022– | |||||||||||||||
| 10 |  Kwesi Appiah | 2017–2020 | |||||||||||||||
The following table charts the club's top scorers in all semi-professional league matches from the Combined Counties Premier League up until the Conference National as well as in all major Non–League cup competitions (including the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup, the Isthmian League Cup and the Conference League Cup) in descending order. The statistics only incorporate appearances and goals made by players prior to AFC Wimbledon gaining promotion to the Football League in 2011. In instances where two players have the same total goal tally, league goals shall be given precedence when determining ranking. Only players with 20 goals or more in all competitions have been included. The figure in parentheses shows the total number of appearances made in relation to goals scored.
| width=16% | Name | width=13% | Seasons | width=13% | Non–League | width=13% | Non–League Cup | width=10% | FA Cup | width=13% | FA Trophy | width=13% | FA Vase | width=12% | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Cooper | 2002–2004 | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | Danny Kedwell | 2008–2011 | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | Jon Main | 2007–2010 | ||||||||||||||
| 4 | Richard Butler | 2004–2007 | ||||||||||||||
| 5 | Joe Sheerin | 2002–2005 | ||||||||||||||
| 6 | Matt Everard | 2003–2005 | ||||||||||||||
| 7 | Ryan Gray | 2003–2006 | ||||||||||||||
| 8 | Sam Hatton | 2007–2012 | ||||||||||||||
| 9 | Gavin Bolger | 2002–2005 | ||||||||||||||
| 10 | Roscoe D'Sane | 2006–2007 | ||||||||||||||
| 11 |  Shane Smeltz | 2005–2006 |
The following table lists all top scorers for AFC Wimbledon by season. The statistics incorporate results for league matches and results in all major Non-League Cup competitions (including the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup, the Isthmian League Cup and the Conference League Cup as well as results in the FA Vase, the FA Trophy and the FA Cup. The figure in parentheses gives the total number of appearances made by the player in that competition during the season in which they became top scorer.
| width=8% | Season | width=16% | Name | width=13% | Non-League | width=13% | Non-League Cup | width=10% | FA Cup | width=15% | FA Trophy | width=17% | FA Vase | width=15% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Kevin Cooper | ||||||||||||||
| 2003–04 | Kevin Cooper | ||||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | Richard Butler | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–06 | Shane Smeltz | ||||||||||||||
| 2006–07 | Roscoe D'Sane | ||||||||||||||
| 2007–08 | Steven Ferguson | ||||||||||||||
| 2008–09 | Jon Main | ||||||||||||||
| 2009–10 | Danny Kedwell | ||||||||||||||
| 2010–11 | Danny Kedwell |
The following table lists all top scorers for AFC Wimbledon by season. The statistics incorporate results for league matches and results in all major Football League Cup competitions (including the Football League Cup and Football League Trophy as well as the FA Cup. The figure in parentheses gives the total number of appearances made by the player in that competition during the season in which they became top scorer.
| width=7% | Season | width=17% | Name | width=15% | Football League | width=15% | Football League Cup | width=15% | Football League Trophy | width=15% | FA Cup | width=11% | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | Jack Midson | ||||||||||||
| 2012–13 | Jack Midson | ||||||||||||
| 2013–14 | Michael Smith | ||||||||||||
| 2014–15 | Adebayo Akinfenwa | ||||||||||||
| 2015–16 | Lyle Taylor | ||||||||||||
| 2016–17 | Lyle Taylor | ||||||||||||
| 2017–18 | Lyle Taylor | ||||||||||||
| 2018–19 | Joe Pigott |
The following table lists every player that has ever been appointed to act as the Club Captain since AFC Wimbledon's inaugural season.
|
The following table lists every player that has been voted as 'Player of the Year' by The Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) since the club's inaugural season. The (c) symbol signifies that a player was selected to act as club captain during the season in which they won the award. Names written in italics signify that a player was also AFC Wimbledon's league top scorer during the season in which they were elected Player of the Year.
|
The following table lists every player that has been voted 'Young Player of the Year' in the club's history. In order to be eligible to win the Natalie Callow Memorial Trophy players must be aged 21 or under at the start of the season in which they are nominated for the award. Names written in italics signify that a player was also AFC Wimbledon's league top scorer during the season in which they were elected Player of the Year. Names written in bold signify that players are still active members of the AFC Wimbledon senior squad.
|
The following AFC Wimbledon players were selected for the honour of being named in the 'Team of the Year' for their respective league based on consistently high performances throughout a given season.
|
These statistics incorporate results for league matches (including Play-off matches) and results in all major League Cup competitions (including the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup, the Isthmian League Cup, the Conference League Cup, the Football League Cup and the Football League Trophy) as well as results in the FA Vase, the FA Trophy and the FA Cup.
Caretaker managers are shown in italics, with Simon Bassey serving two stints in the role.
| width=17% | Name | width=15% | From | width=15% | Until | width=10% | Games | width=10% | Won | width=10% | Drawn | width=10% | Lost | width=10% | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Eames | 13 June 2002 | 13 February 2004* | 82 | 69 | 4 | 9 | 84.15 | ||||||||
| Nick English | 13 February 2004 | 11 May 2004 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 90.48 | ||||||||
| Dave Anderson | 11 May 2004 | 2 May 2007 | 167 | 98 | 40 | 29 | 58.68 | ||||||||
| Terry Brown | 15 May 2007 | 19 September 2012 | 270 | 133 | 54 | 83 | 49.26 | ||||||||
| Simon Bassey | 19 September 2012 | 10 October 2012 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.00 | ||||||||
| Neal Ardley | 10 October 2012 | 12 November 2018 | 334 | 113 | 98 | 123 | 33.83 | ||||||||
| Simon Bassey | 12 November 2018 | 4 December 2018 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50.00 | ||||||||
| Wally Downes | 4 December 2018 | 25 September 2019# | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 26.19 | ||||||||
| Glyn Hodges | 25 September 2019 | 20 January 2021 | 62 | 18 | 18 | 26 | 29.00 | ||||||||
| Mark Robinson | 20 January 2021 | 28 March 2022 | 68 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 25.00 | ||||||||
| Mark Bowen | 30 March 2022 | 7 May 2022 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0.00 | ||||||||
| Johnnie Jackson | 16 May 2022 | present | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 38.2 |
The following is a list of all AFC Wimbledon managers to date who have ever won a league promotion or major trophy during their tenure.
Caretaker managers are shown in italics.
| Name | From | Until | Games | Win % | Honours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick English | 13 February 2004 | 11 May 2004 | 21 | 90.48 | 2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Division Champions 2003–04 Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup winners | |
| Dave Anderson | 11 May 2004 | 2 May 2007 | 167 | 58.68 | 2004–05 Isthmian League First Division Champions | |
| Terry Brown | 15 May 2007 | 19 September 2012 | 270 | 49.26 | 2007–08 Isthmian League Premier Division play-off winners 2008–09 Conference South Champions 2010–11 Conference National play-off winners | |
| Neal Ardley | 10 October 2012 | 12 November 2018 | 334 | 33.83 | 2015–16 Football League Two play-off winners |
Undoubtedly the club's greatest record to date is securing 5 promotions in 9 seasons, believed to be the fastest ascent for any English football club.Chief executive Erik Samuelson said that the club has always planned a return to the top flights of English football: "I was clearing out some old files the other day and found a five-year plan from the first season and we assumed promotion every other year. It never occurred to us that we wouldn't succeed. We didn't expect it but always believed we would do what the old Wimbledon did and we have."[23]
Only includes attendances at league home fixtures, rounded to one decimal place; number in brackets is change in % from previous season.
List incomplete
| Season | Date | Competition | Round | Opponent | Venue | Result | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/11 | 21 May 2011 | Conference National play-offs | Final | Luton Town | Neutral | Won | 4–3 | |
| 2011/12 | 4 October 2011 | Football League Trophy | Second Round | Stevenage Borough | Home | Won | 4–3 | |
| 2011/12 | 8 November 2011 | Football League Trophy | Third Round | Swindon Town | Away | Lost | 1–3 | |
| 2014/15 | 2 September 2014 | Football League Trophy | First Round | Southend United | Home | Won | 4–2 | |
| 2018/19 | 4 September 2018 | EFL Trophy | Group Stage | Charlton Athletic | Away | Won | 4–2 | |
| 2019/20 | 13 August 2019 | EFL Cup | First Round | MK Dons | Home | Lost | 2–4 | |
| 2019/20 | 2 October 2019 | London Senior Cup | First Round | Metropolitan Police FC | Away | Won | 6–5 | |
| 2020/21 | 5 September 2020 | EFL Cup | First Round | Oxford United | Away | Lost | 3–4 | |
| 2020/21 | 26 November 2020 | FA Cup | First Round | Barrow | Away | Won | 4–2 |
