AFC Wimbledon
The Cherry Red Records Stadium
Capacity:
4,850 (Seating 2,265)
Address:
Jack Goodchild Way, 422a Kingston Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 3PB
Telephone:
020 8547 3528
Fax:
0808 280 0816
Pitch Size:
110 x 75 yards
Pitch Type:
Grass
Club Nickname:
The Dons or The Wombles
Year Ground Opened:
1989
Undersoil Heating:
No
Shirt Sponsors:
Football Manager
Kit
Manufacturer:Puma
Home Kit:
Blue and Yellow
Away Kit:
Yellow With Blue Trim
Third Kit:
Light Green & Dark Grey
The Cherry Red Records Stadium as it is called in a corporate sponsorship deal (it was originally named the Kingsmeadow Stadium) is a small but tidy ground, that is almost hidden behind neighbouring residential houses on Kingston Road. It has seen some investment in recent years since AFC Wimbledon took over the lease from Kingstonian FC. On one side is the Paul Strank Stand. This covered, all seated Main Stand looks fairly modern, having recently been extended. It accommodates 1,265 spectators and although only eight rows high, it is free of supporting pillars, resulting in uninterrupted views of the pitch. Surprisingly the team dugouts are not located in front of this Main Stand, but opposite in front of the Rygas Stand, which leads to a procession of players and club officials, at half and at full time. This terrace is partly covered to the rear and has open flanks to either side.
At one end is the Chemflow Terrace (aka the Athletics End, from the Athletics Stadium that sits behind), where the majority of the home supporters stand. This modern looking covered terrace is located quite close to the edge of the playing area, giving a reasonable view of the game. Opposite is the John Green Stand (Kingston Road End). This smart looking stand was opened in September 2012. It is covered having a raised roof and has an all seated capacity of 1,000. In addition, the stadium has a set of four rather plain looking floodlights.
The Club have commenced with the building of their new stadium on the site of the former Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. The site is close to their former Plough Lane home. It is expected that the new stadium will take 14 months to complete and therefore should be open for the start of the 2020/21 season. The new ground will have an initial capacity of 9,000 seats but will be built in such a way that it can be easily expanded to 20,000 at a later date.
In a separate move the present Kingsmeadow ground which is owned by AFC Wimbledon has been sold to Chelsea FC, who will use it for youth and Chelsea Ladies games. Sadly Kingstonian FC who originally opened the Kingsmeadow Ground, have now left and are groundsharing with Corinthian Casuals FC, who play at King George’s Field, Tolworth.
Away fans are mostly housed on one side of the RyGas Stand at one side of the pitch. This small shallow terrace is partly covered to the rear and can accommodate up to 725 visiting fans. It is shared with home supporters. Away fans are located towards the John Green Stand side of the terrace and are adequately separated from the home fans. There is also a small flat standing area beside the stand which also leads to the refreshment area and toilets. In addition, approximately 94 seats are made available in the John Green Stand, which is a relatively new covered stand. Turnstiles open 90 minutes before kick off.
Please note that the away terrace and seating areas are not accessible by going through the main entrance to the stadium car park. Away fans should instead continue going a short way along Kingston Road (keeping the main entrance on the right) and take the next right at the railings in-between the terraced houses (opposite King Henry’s Road) to go down to the away supporters turnstiles. Outside the stadium near the main entrance is a handy chip shop whilst a bit further along is the amusingly named ‘Fat Boys Cafe’. I also noticed outside the Main Stand a vendor (Terry’s Badges) displaying and selling the largest array of different football badges, that I think I have ever seen!
Food on offer inside the ground includes; a range of Pies; All Steak, Chicken Balti, Meat & Potato and Cheese & Onion (all £3.50), Cheeseburgers (£4.50), Burgers (£4), Gourmet Hot Dogs (£5) and Chips (£2.50).
There are two large bars located inside the main Paul Strank Stand. Away supporters are generally welcome to frequent the bars, however for the bigger games, and/or when it is all ticket, the bars are reserved for home fans only. On my visit, I felt that the inside of the bar that I frequented, was a bit dim and drab looking, but with a real ale on offer from a local brewery and a barbecue selling burgers and hot dogs outside, its plus points outweighed the negative ones!
Terry Morton a visiting Bristol Rovers fan informs me; ‘I found a small pub called the Bricklayers Arms on Hawks Road, which is around a ten minute walk away from the stadium. They had real ale and showed televised football. There was a nice of mix of home and away fans present on my visit.’ To find this pub, then with the entrance to the Kingsmeadow Stadium behind you, turn left along Kingston Road which becomes Cambridge Road. Where the road forks, bear left (signposted Surbiton) into Hawks Road and the pub is down on the right.
Otherwise, there is not much near to the ground, with a number of pubs closing in recent years. You could drink in Kingston or New Malden town centres and then get a bus to the ground (or a long walk!). The 131 bus passes the ground and goes through both town centres. If in Kingston, catch a bus heading to Tooting Broadway; if in New Malden, catch a bus heading to Kingston. On New Malden High Street there is a Wetherspoons outlet called the Watchman, whilst near the station, there is Bar Malden. See the London Bus Routes website for timetable details.
If you have a bit of time on your hands, like real ale, or perhaps travelling in via Kingston Railway Station. Then on Willoughby Road is the Willoughby Arms which normally has seven real ales on tap.
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From Outside London
Leave the M25 at Junction 10 and take the A3 towards London. Follow the A3 for around 11 miles and at the exit for New Malden/Worcester Park, turn off and take the left turn into Malden Road (A2043) towards Kingston. Follow this to the next roundabout. Take the left filter lane and the first exit into Kingston Road (A2043 still) and Kingsmeadow Stadium is one mile on the left (not far past the Homebase Design Centre that you will pass on your right).
From Central London
Take the A3 out of London, exiting at New Malden/Worcester Park. Cross over the A3, and take the Malden Road (A2043) towards Kingston. Follow this to the next roundabout. Take the first exit into Kingston Road (A2043 still) and Kingsmeadow is one mile on the left.
There are 350 car parking spaces at the ground which are free. However, as you would expect it fills up pretty quickly. For Saturday games, to be in with a chance of securing a space you need to arrive before 1.30 pm at the latest. Otherwise street parking. There is also the option of renting a private driveway in the local area via: YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
The nearest railway station to the ground is Norbiton, which is about a 15 minute walk away. The station is served by trains from London Waterloo via Clapham Junction and Wimbledon.
Leave the station via the back exit (Westbound platform), and take the first left onto Norbiton Avenue. At the end of the avenue, turn right Gloucester Road, and at the end of Gloucester Road turn left into Cambridge Road. The main entrance to Kingsmeadow is 400 yards down on the right, with the away entrance a little further on past this on the right-hand side and is well sign posted. Thanks to John Woodruff for providing the directions.
Dave Nathan adds; ‘New Malden station is also in walking distance of the ground. This may be a preferred route for away fans as there are better pubs in New Malden namely Bar Malden and the Glasshouse both outside New Malden station and The Fountain at the Fountain Roundabout. Come out of New Malden station and follow the High Street to the left, and proceed up to the Fountain Roundabout. At the roundabout turn right into Kingston Road towards Kingston (or jump on a 131 bus) and the ground is a good mile on the left after passing under the railway bridge and Homebase on your right. This will take about 25 minutes to walk’.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
Remember if travelling by train then you can normally save on the cost of fares by booking in advance.
Visit the the trainline website to see how much you can save on the price of train tickets.
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If you require hotel accommodation in Surrey or Central London then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Just input the dates below that you wish to stay and then select from the map the hotel of interest to get more information. The map is centered to the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in Central London or further afield.
Home fans
Main Stand (Centre): Adults £29, Concessions £18, Under 18’s £13
Main Stand (Wings): Adults £24, Concessions £15, Under 18’s £10
John Green Stand: Adults £24, Concessions £15, Under 18’s £10
Chemflow Terrace: Adults £20, Concessions £12, Under 18’s £5
Rygas Stand: Adults £17, Concessions £11, Under 18’s £4
Away fans
Rygas Stand (Terrace): Adults £17, Concessions £11, Under 18’s £4
John Green End (Seating): Adults £24, Concessions £15, Under 18’s £10
Concessions are available to full-time students, over 65’s and the unemployed on production of proof of status. Due to the large number of season ticket sales for the Main Stand, match tickets for this area will be very limited.
Official Programme £3
Wise Men Say Fanzine £1
WUP Fanzine £1
Aldershot Town, Barnet and Crawley Town.
AFC Wimbledon fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Record attendance (For an AFC Wimbledon game)
4,870 v Accrington Stanley
League Two Play Off First Leg; 14th May 2016
Average attendance
2019-2020: 4,383 (League One)
2018-2019: 4,254 (League One)
2017-2018: 4,325 (League One)
Official Web Sites:
www.afcwimbledon.co.uk
www.kingsmeadowfunctions.com
Unofficial Web Sites:
SW19’s Army
Womble Underground Press
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: contact@footballgroundguide.com and I’ll update the guide.
AFC Wimbledon v Hereford United
League Two
Saturday, August 19th 2011, 3pm
Myles Munsey (Neutral fan)
1. Reason for visit:
Having covered very league club in the South I needed the two newcomers A.F.C. Wimbledon and Crawley Town to add to my list. Ideally I would have like to have been there for Wimbledon's opening fixture against Bristol Rovers but as that game was sold out, I was forced to wait another couple of weeks.
2. Getting there:
This was dead easy. Train from Reading to Twickenham, then round the Kingston Loop to Norbition. I then followed the instructions as detailed on the website and found the ground without any trouble.
3. Before the game:
As I am not a lunch time pub person (preferring to watch my football 'compos mentis'), I simply availed myself of a light lunch at a sandwich shop. The Fat Boy Cafe whilst spotted was given a miss! (Nice though I'm sure it is). There was a downpour about an hour before kick-off so I exchanged pleasantries with the locals under the welcome cover of a large tree. I complemented them on reaching league status which seemed to be genuinely appreciated even though they admitted it hasn't sunk in just yet.
4. First impressions:
Without being disrespectful it is clearly a 'non-league ground' which is evident even from long-range and you can see why AFCW have set their sights on better things.
5. The game:
I viewed the game from the John Smith's Terrace. One of the best I've seen for a long time. Good fast-flowing attacking football from both sides jam-packed with endeavour. Lots of enterprise from the away side. An unmarked headed goal from Hereford's Delroy Facey after 8 minutes was cancelled out after 24 by another close-range header this time by Jack Midson following a corner . Plenty of chances and goalmouth action from both sides after that. Hereford were clearly intent on going for all three points, bossed the latter stages and could have nicked it. A most refreshing attitude (for a side the wrong end of the table) which was good to see. A draw was fair though.
6. Getting away:
A five minute delay in getting away from the ground as in a 'shared terrace' the police insisted on the away support exiting first. Easily made the 17.22 from Norbiton.
Overall:
Whilst I wasn't expecting an architectural gem, the ground really is a stop-gap until they find a better venue. Of note is the metal archway proclaiming 'Kingsmeadow', but I'm afraid I Iooked in vain for any other distinguishing features.
The roofs over the terraces must be the lowest on record which made viewing the action a bit like being at a wide-screen cinema. I found it very cramped and rather uncomfortable. On a lighter note the roof was punctuated by drain holes which were letting in water badly over the bloke in front's head. Being tall I was able to reach up high and effect a temporary repair by stuffing the offending hole full of tissue. It worked and he stayed dry after that!
All in all though a very good day out. Good game and plenty of lively banter between rival sets of supporters. The stewards were engaging, chatty and very helpful. 10/10 for that.
Do go to Kingsmeadow, you will get a warm welcome to a friendly ground which is hassle-free. Without being harsh I think it fair to say though that the projected new stadium in Merton is eagerly anticipated.
AFC Wimbledon v Port Vale
League Two
Saturday, September 3rd 2011, 3pm
Paul Dickinson (Neutral fan)
With only seven grounds of the current 92 still to do and Leeds not playing due to the International break, a trip to London with my daughter allowed me to get another one ticked off
Having planned this trip a while ago, we were able to get cheap train tickets from Leeds and arrived in Kings Cross at 12.30pm. After a couple of drinks at my favourite real ale pub in London (The Harp, near Charing Cross Station), I left my daughter to go shopping for the afternoon and a lovely 10 minute walk in the sunshine took me to Waterloo station, where I caught the 1.55pm train to Norbiton.
Following the directions in the ground guide (although just follow the blue & yellow shirts), I arrived at the ground at 2.35pm, having plenty of time to buy a programme, bottle of water etc, We had already eaten in central London, so I didn't try the food around the ground, but the cafe and fish & chip shop on the main road outside, were both doing a roaring trade
Having visited 75 non league grounds already, I was interested to see how Kingsmeadow would look, as it does of course now host both league and non league football. My 1st impressions were positive, I had bought a terrace ticket online for the Kingston Road stand and managed to get a perfect view of the pitch, on the back row, just to the left of the goal.
It was a very enjoyable game to watch as a neutral – Port Vale completely dominated the 1st half and should have been 3 up before the home side scored. The 2nd half was more even, capped off by a winning goal in the 5th minute of injury time!
It was a straightforward walk back to the train station afterwards and I was enjoying another real ale by 6pm -this time in the Betjeman Arms in St Pancras Station
Overall, another fantastic ground hopping day out. The programme was a better quality than many I buy at Championship games, the AFC Wimbledon fans I spoke to during the game were very friendly and I can always say that "I was there" to see the 1st home win for AFC Wimbledon as a league club.
AFC Wimbledon v Crewe Alexandra
League Two
Saturday, October 15th 2011, 3pm
Jack Jones (Crewe Alexandra fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was very much looking forward to visiting Wimbledon, as it was a new ground for me. I’m sure all of the other travelling Crewe fans were looking forward to it as well. Plus I’ve always had a soft spot for Wimbledon after their troubles 10 years ago.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was very easy to find my way to the ground. I arrived at Norbiton station and followed the gaggle of blue shirts heading in what seemed to be the direction of the stadium. If you arrive from Central London, you will exit via a ramp, and be on the correct side to get to the ground. You exit the station, turn immediately left down Norbiton Avenue, follow it round to the left until you hit Gloucester Avenue. Make a right and keep going until you reach the main road. Turn left and walk down the main road (A2043) for about 1/4 of a mile and the ground is on your right.
However, at that point things can be a bit misleading. If you take the first right into what looks like the main entrance, you won’t be able to access the away end. You have to keep going another 50 or so meters past the first turn off on the main road and make the next right to get to the away end.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
As it was a family fun day, I decided to head into the club bar at the back of the Main Stand. The stewards and Wombles fans were very cheerful and my friend even had some banter with the local constabulary.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
From the outside, the ground seems like any other of similar size, however, once you enter, it’s very cramped. The away end is particularly bad for this. The terrace opposite the Main Stand, where the away fans are located, is divided up into three sections separated by barriers. We were allocated a third of the stand, but brought more fans than what was expected. This led to a very cramped and claustrophobic environment. The three steps at the back of the terrace were also very shallow, which, with the high numbers, meant the view to the left (towards the Tempest End) was awful.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game itself was good (what I could see of it). However, the view was so bad to my left I gave up trying to see anything to my left after half time. Thankfully, most of the action happened at the end we were situated at.
Wimbledon controlled the first half, having numerous opportunities. Somewhat fortuitously, we reached the break level at 0-0. We then scored almost from the kick off in the 2nd half with a screamer. Wimbledon equalised 10 minutes later and looked like they would push on and win the game. However, with 10 minutes to go and our first real attack since the equaliser, we scored and another superb goal 2 minutes from time gave us an excellent, if slightly flattering, 3-1 win.
The atmosphere, despite the cramped conditions, was excellent and with the low roof even modest numbers could make some real noise. I didn’t see any stewards, again probably down to the view more than there being none around. I didn’t purchase refreshments nor use the toilets, so can’t comment on them.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was a doddle, even after a little unplanned detour around Kingston, we found our way back to Norbiton easy enough.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, an excellent day out. The weather was also excellent, which meant that, on top of the friendly fans/atmosphere and good result, it was a really enjoyable experience and one I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. Even the poor view couldn’t detract from what was a brilliant day all round. 9/10.
AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley
League Two
Saturday, December 10th 2011, 3pm
Paul Willott (Neutral fan)
Along with a work colleague based near me in the South East, we travelled as fans of football to see this match. The history of both clubs is such a rich tapestry of great and golden memories, momentous falls, and gritty determination to work ones way back to the big-time, that made it stand out as tempting fixture and when free for an afternoon only, precluding trips further afield.
Much as I have always made a point of trying to see the Stanley when they are in the South at least once a season, this was equally about visiting the home of the Wombles who refused to be "dragged" to Milton Keynes.
I picked up my colleague in Croydon , then drove directly to Kingsmeadow. The best tip I can give any-one coming up from the South is to head up the A3, make sure you don't miss the left hand turn-off to the A2043, follow that road but keep your eyes peeled to your left or else you may miss the ground! Also, well worth making extra effort to get there early to bag what few parking options there are.
I don't think you will find a friendlier more welcoming bunch of stewards anywhere, quite happy to chat and a pleasant change from the frostiness experienced at many grounds. The stadium itself is modest and compact by League standards, and I can well see why some of the Womble fans that I work with are now bemoaning that the club has once again "outgrown" its home, as it did with Plough Lane.
That said, on the pitch one sensed a nervousness around the ground regarding the teams recent form, and this proved to be the case, as the Stanley eased to a 2-0 win, their first away win of the season.
Meanwhile, I could criticise the complete lack of pies (apparently not delivered), the lukewarm burger (I have had worse ), but little else. I sense Kingsmeadow is a stepping stone for the club in returning closer to its spiritual home in the near future.
Having parked in an opportune spot, the getaway was fairly easy , which was just as well given that I had to get changed before collecting the family for an evening out!
AFC Wimbledon v Aldershot Town
League Two
Saturday, January 28th 2012, 3pm
Rob Garforth (Neutral fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I had been to Kingsmeadow on a number of occasions before (for both AFC Wimbledon and Kingstonian) although this was my first visit there as a Football League ground. Being a fan of Ryman League Bognor Regis Town, the main purpose of this particular visit was the fact that prolific Bognor striker Jason Prior had transferred to the Dons during the week and was named in the squad, so I went along mainly to check out his Football League debut if he was to appear. And appear he did, coming on as a 74th minute substitute. As for his performance, he didn't do badly but once he becomes more familiar with the pace in League Two then I'm sure he'll start banging in the goals in for them.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled from Bognor Regis by train and it was a straightforward enough journey and having visited the ground before, knew where to go. The ground isn't too far away from Norbiton station and for any first-timers, its simply a case of follow those wearing blue and yellow.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I went straight to the ground and visited the small club shop (such is the size of it, they also sell products on stalls outside!). In the car park you will also see a stall selling a large range of metal badges which is also worth a look. As this game was likely to be a sell-out (and indeed it was), I then queued for my ticket which I had ordered online. Those planning to watch AFC Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow in the future would be advised to visit the Dons website first and order their ticket. The problem for the Dons is simply the size of the stadium as even at this stage, they have quickly outgrown it.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
My initial first impression was that the ground hadn't changed since my last visit some three years earlier, when the Dons met Bognor in the Conference South. However, the Kingston Road end was a fairly flat terrace on previous visits but has since been renovated, adding a number of rows, which even for somebody my height (5ft 8), now allows a very good view of the action. I understand there are plans to replace this terrace with a 1,000 seat stand.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
As mentioned earlier, the match was a sell-out and although the terrace was full, it wasn't as cramped like previous experiences in the old days of Football League terracing, it was comfortable, breathable. The Kingston Road terrace had a large contingent of families and I have to say, the whole experience was very pleasant. I didn't hear a single profanity all afternoon and even the guy in front of me was checking that I could see the action okay. Regarding food, I had a portion of chips which was a tray for £2 which wasn't bad – have had far worse value at non-league grounds. The match itself was a 2-1 victory for Aldershot, which I felt they deserved overall.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem here. Again, just a simple walk back to Norbiton station.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very enjoyable day out and one I will consider doing again.
AFC Wimbledon v Southend United
League Two
Tuesday, November 20th 2012, 7.45pm
Stephen Spooner (Southend United fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to visiting another new ground.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey by car from North Wales, as an exiled Southend fan was a 460 mile round trip. The M6 and M40 were all straight forward but I got stuck in traffic on the M25.
I parked in the ground car park, which was free, albeit on a grassed area which serves as an overspill car park for the Club. Parking seemed to be very limited in the streets around the stadium.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Friendly steward directing people in parking and around the ground, friendly fans as fans get mixed with all parking in the home stand area.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground.
The stadium is small and compact, and you have to walk to the other side of the ground from the car park to the away end. Has a nice small club shop behind the home stand.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Had a cheeseburger and coke from the burger van inside the ground, served in a foil bag so kept warm during the cold November evening game. Had a choice to sit or stand. Took the standing option. great view as close to the pitch and nothing blocking views. The game was fantastic with Southend winning 4-0.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy to get away from the ground with traffic flowing freely.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A long journey, but completely worth it, with a Southend win. Looking forward to seeing AFC Wimbledon in their new ground next time.
AFC Wimbledon v Exeter City
League Two
Saturday, January 25th 2014
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)
Why were you looking forward to going to this ground?
This was a new ground for me and like Exeter they are a supporter owned club.
How easy was your journey?
The journey was straight forward, travelling up on the supporters coach leaving Exeter at 8am, arriving at 1pm.
What did you do before the game?
On arrival at the ground some of our supporters opted for the clubhouse. We instaed took a 10 minute walk up the road to the Prince of Wales pub which was away supporter friendly and pints priced from £3.40. On returning to the ground I picked up the match day programme for £3.
First impressions on seeing the ground?
We stood in the 'Your Golf' terrace, some of which his covered and some uncovered, the Paul Skrank Main Stand opposite is all seated and covered. Away fans can also be housed in the Nongshim stand behind the goal which is all seated and has a reasonable height disabled bay, opposite is the EcoHouse terrace where the louder home fans gather. All stands look modern and offer good views.
Comment on the game, atmosphere, refreshments, stewards and toilets?
The game was played in good spirit with the Dons running out 2-1 winners, atmosphere between the two sets of supporters was good. Refreshments all seemed to be reasonably priced with drinks starting at £1.50, hot food from £2.50. Toilets are portakabins behind the Nongshim Stand but seemed clean and the stewards were helpful and low key.
Comments on getting away after the game?
Very easy walk back to where the coach dropped us off and a straight forward journey home.
Summary of the day out?
A very good day out despite the loss, but the way we played we still went home in good spirits.
AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth Argyle
Johnstones Paint Trophy, First Round
Tuesday 1st September 2015, 7.45pm
Tom Harris (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
This was my first away game of 2015/2016. Having previously beaten Wimbledon on the first day of the seaso, I was confident of a win.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled by supporters coach. It left Plymouth at 1pm and reached Kingsmeadow at 6.30pm, so it was a long journey, but as an Argyle fan long journeys travelling away are the norm. The coach dropped us off on the main road outside the stadium entrance.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I visited the club store for a look around to kill some time and then found our way into the stadium. Home fans seemed friendly enough got no grief from them so it was good.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
The Kingsmeadow ground is quite small, and not much is visible from the main road so I guess it would be quite easy to miss. We sat in the stand behind the goal which I'm told isn't used as the away end all the time. But the facilities in there are really nice you could tell it was a new stand. The rest of the stadium looked like a typical League Two arena, standing stands on the left and the opposite stand and the seating stand on the right.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We were 2-0 inside 20 minutes and I began feeling as if id wasted my time, but we got one back before the break to keep us in the game. The toilet facilities are average. No pies on offer but a very nice burger and chips made up for that! Stewards were friendly and we won the game in the second half when we came back to make it 3-2.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was easy getting out and the bus was where we left it on the main road.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
We got back to Plymouth at 3am in the morning. It was a great evening out and a nice win for Argyle. Well worth the long trip.
AFC Wimbledon v Barnet
Football League Two
Saturday 3rd October 2015, 3pm
James Sweeney (Barnet fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Kingsmeadow ground?
This was a nice local trip to South West London. We knew that there was a lot of Barnet fans going, so we decided to join the bee army at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. It was a short drive and it gave us an excuse to drive through central London and see all the sights.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey was very straight forward. We drove through Blackfriars, Elephant and Castle, Clapham and Wandsworth via the A3 which pretty much takes you directly there. Although we were advised to take the North and South Circular, there was an England match on at Twickenham so we decided that it would be best to avoid it. There isn't much parking at the ground but we managed to find a space on a side road close by. For all fans travelling from outside of London to Kingsmeadow, I would advise that you take the M25 to its Junction 10 then onto the A3 Northbound, as this saves you queuing through South London. Just remember that the ground is in Kingston not Wimbledon.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We stopped off at a local cafe in Clapham which did a very nice burger and chips for £3.40 and got back into the car to find that there had been an accident further up the A3, so we was stuck in traffic all the way up to the A308 junction. The home fans were generally okay, although our manager Martin Allen was taking quite a bit of stick from the home fans. Still the Wimbledon support especially in the home end were loud, but not in any abusive manner.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
The ground is quite small by Football League standards. On one side is the Main Stand which is about eight rows of seating high and this is where the teams emerge from. Opposite to this is the away terrace which is very low and has a number of supporting pillars and the dugouts in front of it, which makes it very hard to see. Next to this terrace to the right is the North Stand, where about 80 seats to the far right of the stand are given to away fans and the rest home fans. There are two enclosures next to this stand which is allocated for police, disabled supporters and the Wimbledon mascot. Opposite to this is the home end, which is like your usual South terrace, where most of the Wimbledon fans sing.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Barnet lost 2-0 with goals right at the start and right at the end of the match, and Barnet barely making an attack throughout the match. An attendance of 4,068 saw a penalty save by Max Crocombe but it wasn't enough to see of the force of the home side who had all the possession and created more chances. Overall, I thought Barnet's performance was very poor, possibly the worst of the season, considering we have had enjoyed good results against Wimbledon before.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The journey back was very straight forward, as we got onto the M25 from the A3 and there was no delays apart from when we got near Twickenham and was home for 6:40pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, I found Wimbledon a friendly place to go, although I would advise away fans to go into the seated area, (although you have to get there very early as there is only 80 available) as the terrace is very low and has the gantry, pillars and dugouts impeding your view.
AFC Wimbledon v Stevenage
Football League Two
Saturday 12th December 2015, 3pm
James Walker (Stevenage fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Kingsmeadow ground?
I was looking forward to this away game as it was another new ground for me, plus I've heard nothing but good things from other away fans about Kingsmeadow, so it made for a fun day out.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the supporters coach for the game. We left at 12.30pm and arrived in Wimbledon for just after 1.40pm.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went straight to the Club shop for a programme which cost £3. I then walked around the ground to meet Terry, the famous badge seller to meet Terry who literally has hundreds of badges from across all different clubs, including matchday badges. I bought several to add to my collection and then continued onto the supporters bar to watch the second half of Norwich v Everton. The home fans were among the friendliest I've ever met at a football match. There was a very special buzz around the place as it had been announced less than 24 hours before that AFC Wimbledon were returning to their rightful home of Plough Lane, and you could quite easily tell all the fans were delighted with the news, and rightfully so.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I was impressed when I saw the Kingsmeadow Stadium as it looked and felt like a little community ground. Not big in size but feels big when you remember what AFC Wimbledon have completed in their time there. There is a terrace running along the side of the pitch for away fans and some seats in the corner behind the goal, a stand shared with home fans. There is a small covered section for disabled away supporters located in the middle of the two.
Kingsmeadow Stadium
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Wimbledon started brighter and went in at Half Time 1-0 up largely thanks to awful defending from Stevenage. However we hit back in the second half and scored two fantastic goals (one from our own half) to turn the game around and take all three points. No pies here, so I went for a burger and chips. Priced at £5, ir was one of the nicest burger and chips I've ever had at a football match. The facilities were all clean and stewards were all very helpful and friendly.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As I took the coach, getting away was easy. We arrived back in Stevenage for just after 6.30pm and even got to enjoy the draw for the Euro 2016 Finals on the way home!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great company, three points and scoring from our own half for the second time this season. This truly was a wonderful day out, and will definately be a ground I'll return to in the future, given the chance.
Half Time: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Stevenage
Full Time: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Stevenage
Attendance: 3.846 (280 Away fans)
AFC Wimbledon v Scunthorpe United
Football League One
Tuesday 16th August 2016, 7:45pm
Charlie Betts (Scunthorpe United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I always love a good London game, especially during the summer and Wimbledon is a club I've always respected. The ground wasn't what I was looking forward to but our good start to the season meant the fixture was exciting.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the train down to London Kings Cross and after a day out in London took the 5.30pm commuter train from London Victoria to Kingston. As you can imagine a commuter train in London isn't a pleasant ride. Once in Kingston, which is a pretty pleasant place, we found our hotel and searched for the Kingsmeadow Stadium, which is located a 20-minute walk from the train station. It's almost easy though to walk right past the stadium entrance as Kingsmeadow is tucked away behind a row of houses and the ground is not readily visible from street level.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We had some food in the centre of London, plus we nipped into a pub for a few beers before heading to Kingston. The home fans were perfectly friendly, there was no trouble and they were happy to enter into conversation.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I was surprised at just how small Kingsmeadow is, it seemed more of a non-league standard ground to me. Put it this way it makes Glanford Park look impressive!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a quality game in terms of the Scunthorpe team performance, we won after an inspiring Kevin van Veen long distance strike. However I had difficulty seeing it as the away terrace was so shallow it became hard to see over the next persons head and impossible to see the opposite side of the pitch. There were no pies available when I went to the shop and the other hot food was expensive and served from a burger van, The facilities were generally not great.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Due to the small Tuesday night the trip out was easy and the crowds were no problem. The twenty minute walk through Kingston was uneventful.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
In all it was a good day out and a worthwhile away day. The Kingsmeadow ground and facilities though weren't inspiring. If Wimbledon wasn't in close proximity to London I'd go again in seasons to come, but in whatever league we end up in next season there will be a better London away day.
AFC Wimbledon v Chesterfield
Football League One
Saturday 3rd September 2016, 3pm
David Chapman (Chesterfield fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Ground?
I wanted to visit Kingsmeadow one last time before Wimbledon move to a new stadium.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The ground is easy to find. There is disabled parking at the stadium but make sure you arrive before 1.30pm as after that it is manic.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Spoke to several home fans, very knowledgeable and friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Kingsmeadow?
Small disabled enclosure holding five wheelchairs (max) disabled toilets very good.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Good atmosphere through out the game, the roof nearly came of the John Green Stand when AFC Wimbledon scored the winner in the last minute. Stewards very helpful, basic facilities at the ground.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We were ushered out of a side entrance which led us onto the main London Road, difficult to make your way back to car park with home fans coming in opposite direction, if attending match in wheelchair and have parked in car park wait in ground after game for ten minutes because even if you get back to your car there is only one way out of the car park.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Enjoyable day out, spoiled only slightly by late winner for the Dons.
AFC Wimbledon v Oxford United
Football League One
Saturday 14th January 2017, 3pm
Tyler King (Oxford United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
AFC Wimbledon had never beaten us at Kingsmeadow and we had a sold out away end.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The journey is very easy and parked in the official car park which was free.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Before the match, I went into the supporters bar at the ground, which was showing the Tottenham game on the television. The bar does get very crowded and it is hard to move. There is a burger van outside the bar which I didn't frequent but the food looked good.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
The ground is pretty low rise being a ground share with a non-league club. I was in the terrace and even at the back the view was not great, as I struggled to see action in one of the corners. The two seated stands looked okay, but still weren't very tall in size.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was very poor despite Oxford taking the lead, with Wimbledon winning the game 2-1. The stewards are very friendly and the food is very nice inside the ground. The toilets are no more than portacabins but were absolutely fine. To be fair to the home fans make a good noise when the score.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It took us about half an hour to getaway from the stadium.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall pretty poor and I doubt if I will return next season.
AFC Wimbledon v Sutton United
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
Tuesday 17th January 2017, 7.45pm
Ed Marsh (Sutton United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
Having played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Gander Green Lane, we were very much looking forward to the replay and a return to a ground Sutton used to frequent a lot during their days in the Ryman league when playing Kingstonian (who ground share with Wimbledon) although this time for a much bigger occasion!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took the train to Kingston where we stopped off for a drink and something to eat, then got the 131 bus from Kingston Bus Station to the Kingsmeadow Stadium. It's worth noting that the bus did get busy with fans of both sides before the game so remember to leave enough time to get there for kick off! Other fans were getting taxis from the train station which is another option.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We opted for a couple of pubs before heading into the Kings Tun (Wetherspoons) for a bite to eat in the centre of Kingston. A few fans from both sides were in there and all seemed to be getting along. Had a chat with one about the first game.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
Having been to the ground before, but never when segregation was in force, the away end was a new experience! It must be said that it very small and cramped if a large away following is bought (as Sutton did!) and if you don't get there early enough you will be stuck in one corner where the view is not brilliant. However, the cramped nature of this stand does lead to a great atmosphere being generated. Also worth noting that not all of the stand is covered so prepare to get wet if it looks like rain!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game started badly for Sutton being 1-0 down within 10 minutes and then fairly average up until just before half time. Facilities in the away end consisted of two toilet blocks and one small catering outlet. Both got very bust (understandably) at half time. The little amount of space between the Home and Away fans lead to some good banter going backwards and forwards between the two sides and the Wimbledon fans certainly get behind their team! Second half was a different affair with Sutton hammering the Wimbledon defence and finally finding away through after 75 minutes. As the prospect of extra time was looming, Biamou slotted home for Sutton sparking scenes of celebration on the away terrace. However, these scenes were nothing compared to those when Fitchett put Sutton 3-1 up and put the tie out of reach of the home side. Stewards were friendly and relaxed and even congratulated the Sutton fans as they left the ground!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No issues at all, largely because the Sutton fans all stayed to celebrate with the players after the final whistle. Once we did leave it was back to Kingston Railway Station (a 20 minute walk) and then back to Gander Green Lane where the party continued!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A very enjoyable evening out at the Kingsmeadow Stadium. It is a good, compact ground to visit with friendly staff and fans.
AFC Wimbledon v Charlton Athletic
Football League One
Saturday 11th February 2017, 3pm
James Butler (Charlton Athletic fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I was looking forward to my first visit to the home of Wimbledon. They are decent club and although I had heard the ground was tiny I was assured a good atmosphere would prevail.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took public transport all the way. Only took 90 minutes from North Kent.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
After the walk from Norbiton we went straight into the away end of the ground via some curiously officious stewarding, more of that later. Inside the ground the outside burger bar served decent fair at reasonable prices, No over crowded dreary concourse here. Oh and it was sleeting quite heavily and by god it was cold.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
Well we knew it was small, but this really is a tiny ground. However it is well appointed and makes the best of itself. Opposite and two the left are two small, but very tidy stands. the home terrace is fine. The away side of the ground is a bit tight and views not great due to the shallow terrace.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Personally I had no problem with the stewards, but many complained about their crowd management skills. Don't turn up at the last minute, that's the problem. However they did insist on checking that I had a ticket twice before I even got to the turnstile, no idea why. Were they expecting trouble? The food I have already covered. The loos however may only be portacabins, but much like everything else at Kingsmeadow, they are clean and tidy with, take note Charlton Athletic FC, HOT WATER in the taps. The first half atmosphere was very flat despite an early Charlton goal, which explains the home fans, and a feisty, if not rather dirty encounter on the pitch. Charlton fans tried to get the noise going, but we never really to get into it. The bitter cold didn't help The home team improved second half and consequently so did the atmosphere, although it was never rocking, until for the umpteenth time this season we conceded and equaliser at the death. Okay we have scored a few as well. Final score 1-1 the CAFC 2016/17 default score.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Small ground equals small crowd so no problems getting back to the station. A few signs would help, or maybe we just missed them. Door to door 1 hour 20 minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
As a footie fan I would recommend a visit to Kingsmeadow Stadium, a real blast from the past, even down to the pre-match music. There were a few unsavory incidents on the day with left a sour taste, but they were peculiar to this particular day and match so not really relevant to this report. Without boring you with details said incidents in no way impacted on the safety or comfort of anyone on the ground. Except perhaps the Lino who probably should get acting lessons on the way back from specsavers!
AFC Wimbledon v Coventry City
Football League One
Tuesday 14th February 2017, 7.45pm
Ash Milburn (Coventry City fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I was looking forward to this as it's a local one for me, only being around the corner in Surbiton. And although we were bottom of the league and without a win in God knows how many matches, was quietly confident that we could grind out a win!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
As mentioned, I live quite local to this so just hopped on a bus and walked the rest of the way. Half an hour door to door!
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Didn't get up to much before the game, would've done more but the missus pulled out at the last minute meaning that I had to attend on my lonesome. And with us being rooted to the bottom of the table and generally rubbish, I couldn't even give the spare ticket away! Didn't speak to any home fans before or after the game, but they all seemed nice enough.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I knew what to expect and got exactly that. Small but tidy with slightly obscured views of certain parts of the pitch (from the away end at least!).
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game itself was pretty awful from both teams, mainly down to the quality of the pitch, which was akin to a freshly ploughed field. This in turn did nothing for the atmosphere with the City fans seeming extremely quiet. First half was fairly even, although it could be argued that Wimbledon slightly edged it on the 'opportunities created' front. Second half saw an improvement from us, and we got a deserved lead through substitute Jodi Jones. Sadly (and annoyingly) however, we couldn't hold on for the vital win and conceded the equaliser with seconds left to play.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problems at all, exact journey on the way back and made it home in half an hour!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
An enjoyable evening overall, although disappointed with the result considering how close we were to the win. Would recommend this trip to every football fan. The Kingsmeadow Stadium is a real throwback to the good old days!
AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall
Football League One
Saturday 25th February 2017, 3pm
Joseph Burns (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
A friend and I were visiting London for a gig on the Sunday and decided to make a weekend of it by going to a football game on the Saturday. After some deliberation we chose AFC Wimbledon as their story of rebuilding the club from nothing and where they are now is one that all football fans can take heart from.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We took the tube from Kings Cross to Vauxhall and then the overground train to New Malden. Journey took about 40 minutes. Once in New Malden the Kingsmeadow Stadium is about a 25 minute walk, although you can catch the 131 bus instead.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We chose to get off in New Malden as we'd been told the best pre match pubs are there. We found a couple that were friendly and reasonably priced with food and real ale available, one was Bar Malden right outside the railway station and the other was the Watchman which is a Wetherspoons pub. Both Wimbledon and Walsall supporters were drinking together and the atmosphere was friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
The Kingsmeadow Stadium itself is really small but well kept and quite smart looking. There's a couple of seated stands and two terraces, one of which is behind the goals and where most of the noise came from. We stood in the RyGas Terrace which didn't provide the greatest view I've ever had at a football match but as I'm 6' 1" it wasn't too much of an issue. Shorter people and kids would struggle to see unless they can make their way to the front. Also this stand isn't completely covered so there is a chance you'll get wet if it rains. I can see why the club is desperate to build a new ground back in Wimbledon, not just because they want to go home but the club has outgrown Kingsmeadow.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was a bit flat with two mid-table teams playing out what seemed destined to be a 0-0 draw. The game kicked into life after about an hour and in the end Wimbledon held on for a deserved 1-0 win. Atmosphere was a bit hit and miss with the fans in the Chemflow End doing their best to make some noise. I couldn't really get any idea what the away fans were doing as they are put in one side of the RyGas Stand on one side of the pitch. There's a couple of bars in the main Paul Strank Stand that sold beer to home and away fans before the game and had Sky Sports. Whilst the one I drank in got busy it was never over-crowded and like the rest of the day the fans were friendly and the atmosphere was good. Toilets in this bar were clean as were the basic portacabins inside the ground itself.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
After the game, rather than head back to New Malden we walked to Norbiton Railway Station instead, this is the closest station to the ground and the best one to use if you're not bothered about going to the pub or just want to head straight to the ground/get home quick. Trains were regular and we were back in Kings Cross by 6pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was a good day and I'm glad we chose to go and watch Wimbledon. I hope they continue to grow and get their move into a new ground. When they do I'll definitely return to watch them again.
AFC Wimbledon v Northampton Town
Football League One
Saturday 11th March 2017, 3pm
Alex Compton (Northampton Town fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
This was mine and my son's very first visit to Kingsmeadow ground, so we were both looking forward to it.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Fairly easy run down considering we had to use the M1 and the M25. Finding the Kingsmeadow Stadium was really easy and parking next to the ground was free which was brilliant.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We got to the ground very early as there was a big England Rugby game going on down the road at Twickenham so we didn't want to get stuck in that traffic as well as the normal London congestion. The friendly stewards let us in to the ground to put our flag up, then we had a walk about 2 minutes up the road to get some Fish and Chips (sorry can't remember the name of it) The home fans were very friendly and were happy to talk about our mutual dislike of MK Dons.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I was quite impressed on arrival considering it was until a few seasons back a non league ground. Outside there was a guy selling the biggest selection of league and non league club badges I have ever seen. The away end is quite small and you can't quite see the corner of the pitch but you can make a lot of noise as the roof is quite low. We were given about 100 seats behind one goal which is shared with the home fans and it virtually no segregation which I thought was great as that is very rare in today's stadiums.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, steward s, pies, facilities etc..
The game wasn't the most exciting in the world and a draw would have been a fair result but we were given an 86th minute penalty which we scored to win 1-0. The facilities were very basic but clean, the stewards were very friendly, helpful and very chatty.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground took about five minutes which considering there is only one exit out I thought was really good. Also the traffic all the way home was very light and I was back home by 6.45pm which I was well pleased about.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall it was a good day out at the Kingsmeadow Stadium. The 1-0 win helped and I'm sure we will stay up this season. So I'm looking forward to our trip there again next season.
AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers
Football League One
Saturday 8th April 2017, 3pm
Terry Morton (Bristol Rovers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
Living in Sussex this was a fairly easy away fixture for me. This was my first visit to Kingsmeadow and I was looking forwards to adding my support to the Wombles, a proper fan's club.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I caught an early train with the intention of walking into Kingston and finding a nice pub by the Thames for a couple of pints. Big mistake, unless you are into spending £6.50 on a crappy Mexican beer in some lounge bar/cafe catering to trendies and tourists. I gave up and walked towards the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I found a local's pub called the Bricklayers Arms on Hawks Road. They had a nice ale called Zigzag and the Guinness was also good. There were 8 or 9 Wombles fans in there who were all friendly, as were the two ladies behind the bar. The pub steadily filled with no hassle. Rovers fans probably outnumbered AFC fans by 4:1 as the bars at the ground were closed to away fans. It was a pleasant, sunny small beer garden at the rear or footie on television in the bar. A nice little friendly pub. Around ten minutes walk away from the Kingsmeadow Stadium.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
I love these little compact grounds where you are only feet from the action. The away end was sold out so the Rovers fans filled part of the terrace down one side of the ground and a small part of a stand. The view I had was okay but restricted by the dugouts.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was one of those rare warm sunny spring days so plenty of club shirts worn by both sets of supporters. Good start for us with a goal after only 11 seconds! But that somewhat killed the game for the supporters – us nervous and hanging on, them getting frustrated. The match ended 0-1 so a good result for us but not a memorable game overall. Over the 90 minutes a draw would have been a fairer result, but with us chasing a play-off spot it was a welcome three points.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy. Just followed everyone else back to Norbiton Railway Station.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A good day out at the Kingsmeadow Stadium and I'm glad that AFC Wimbledon have now secured their place in League One.
AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers
Football League One
Saturday 8th April 2017, 3pm
Yaz Shah (Bristol Rovers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
First time for me at the Kingsmeadow. I live in North West London so not too far. A win would keep us in with a very slim chance of getting into the play offs with four more matches to go after this. In the previous season, AFC Wimbledon had scraped into the play offs and got promoted and we had been automatically promoted with virtually the last kick of our last game of the season.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I drove and took the A312 from Harrow almost all the way, past Heathrow and Hampton Court. I left at 11:40 and got there at 13:10 for a distance of only 20 miles. It took ten minutes less to get back home the same way. I parked in the club carp park which was free – thank you Wimbledon.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Sat in the car, then walked about 50 yards to Fatboy's Cafe to get something to eat and drink. Very busy place with both home and away supporters with a great choice of food. Service was quick. There was also a chippy a few shops away. Did not really talk to any home fans; stewards seemed friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Kingsmeadow Stadium?
The Kingsmeadow Stadium is a small ground with small stands. Rovers had sold all their allocation of around 800 tickets, most of whom were in the RyGas Terrace. Pitch looked and played like a rugby pitch. Did not see a scoreboard but club announcer was okay.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Great game for us. We scored probably our fastest goal ever (13 seconds) and won 1-0. Otherwise a game of few real chances and we contained any threats from them. Referee was okay. The atmosphere was subdued from us compared to other away games but a great relief when final whistle went. Tried to queue for a hot drink at half time but gave up. Lots of stewards who I thought were a bit pensive because of the large away presence. No issues though.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Waited ten minutes then made my way back home albeit slowly at first.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Beautiful sunny, spring day. Great result. Come on The Gas!
AFC Wimbledon v Shrewsbury Town
Football League One
Saturday 12th August 2017, 3pm
Phil Back (Doing the 92)
AFC Wimbledon v Rochdale
Football League One
Saturday 30th September 2017, 3pm
Carl Murray (Neutral fan)
AFC Wimbledon v Blackburn Rovers
EFL League 1
Tuesday 27th February 2018, 7.45pm
James Foster (Blackburn Rovers fan)
AFC Wimbledon vs Oldham Athletic
League One
Saturday 21st April 2018, 3pm
Joseph McDonagh (Oldham Athletic fan)
AFC Wimbledon v Barnsley
League 1
Saturday 19th January 2019, 3pm
David Crossfield (Barnsley)
AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons
Carabao Cup 1st Round
Tuesday 13th August 2019, 7:45pm
Peter Williams (MK Dons)
AFC Wimbledon v Southend United
League One
Wednesday 1st January 2020, 3pm
Pat Mundy (Southend United)
AFC Wimbledon v Bolton Wanderers
League 1
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Dave Blackburn (Bolton Wanderers)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting The Cherry Red Records Stadium?
I have never been before and wanted to see what it was like before they leave to go back to their home.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The way sat nav took me was a scenic journey with plenty of traffic. I was down for the weekend staying in Watford as we were visiting friends. The drive took us past Kempton Park Racecourse and Hampton Court Palace. The journey took 30 minutes longer than it should have been. There was a lack of signposts for the ground in the local area, but we did find it and parked in the club car park for free.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Arrived at 1.30 pm and went into the bar at the ground. It was very friendly and good-natured. I enjoyed it.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Cherry Red Records Stadium?
The ground is small and compact. You can tell that it is a non-league ground. I'm glad I was sat in the seats as this had a reasonable view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Not the best 0-0 I will ever see. There was a very friendly feel and I would go again. The stewards and police were friendly. Not much atmosphere though.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I left when injury time started. Got ahead start, but no problem getting away – if we had left it longer it may have been a different story.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed the visit with no problems. It was very friendly and I would probably visit again. I'm looking forward to seeing them back at Plough Lane, in their new stadium.
Game Attended
Wimeldon v.s boltonCompetition
Sky bet leauge oneDate
01/06/2019Kick Off Time
15:00Team Supported
I am a Blackburn fanWhy were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
It was a good game. My name is Tony Davidson age 35 go watch Bolton I support BlackburnHow easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It was good took a hour to get out after the match.What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Parked up in a side street got fish chips and peas and went corner shop for 8 Dark fruits and drunk 3 in the groundWhat you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
It was my first time at the ground but I add a seat near the home fansComment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Yes the stewards was ok but the food was off got a pieComment on getting away from the ground after the game
Took a hour to get out went got a chippy buttySummary of overall thoughts of the day out
Yes it was a good day outImages