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AFC Wimbledon

Plough Lane - AFC Wimbledon Stadium

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Capacity: 9,300 (all seated)
Club Nickname: The Dons
Year Opened: 2020
Pitch Size: 105m x 68m
Address: Plough Lane, London, England
Phone: +44 (0)20 8547 3528
Pitch Type: Natural grass
Shirt Sponsors: Qualco UK
Ticket Office: +44 (0)20 8547 3528
StadiumTours: Yes
Undersoil Heating: No
Manufacturer: Puma
Home Kit: Blue and Yellow
Away Kit: Blue and Purple
Last Update: September 2, 2025

Whilst this has not always been the case, Plough Lane is now a fairly good destination for an away fan for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the ground creates an incredible atmosphere, which makes for an electric matchday experience.

Secondly, it is extremely well located. It isn’t too far from the centre of Wimbledon, and the town itself boasts impressive transport links, particularly to the centre of London.

The away end at Plough Lane is located in the North Stand, and supporters in this section enter the stadium via gate 7.

Plough Lane, North Stand Entrance
Entrance to the North Stand at Plough Lane. Photo by Imago

Away fans can expect an allocation of around 1,500 on a trip to Plough Lane. Given the size of the stadium, this is a fairly decent number.

The home supporters often create an excellent atmosphere at the stadium itself, which makes for an excellent matchday experience most of the time.

While far from revolutionary, the food at AFC Wimbledon is more than adequate and you will almost always find a variety of dishes to choose from, including matchday staples such a burgers, hotdogs and pies.

AFC Wimbledon promoted to League One

After a long 2024/25 season, AFC Wimbledon has secured promotion to League One, meaning that Plough Lane will host League One matches next season. The Dons’ last participation in League One was during the 2021/22 season, making their victory over Walsall in the promotion play-off final a significant achievement for a team that struggled with inconsistencies toward the end of the season, winning only one of their last five regular-season matches before the playoffs.

Interestingly, all three of AFC Wimbledon’s play-off matches concluded with a score of 1-0 in their favour.

Yet another flood at Plough Lane

Historically, AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane ground has always been prone to flooding due to its high-risk location. However, when the club demolished its old stadium and constructed a brand-new one on the same site, that was supposed to change.

That appeared to be the case until September 22 2024, when the venue flooded once more, leading to a sinkhole appearing on the pitch.

It resulted in two home fixtures being relocated – one if which was a massive Carabao Cup tie against Premier League outfit, Newcastle United.

Speaking on the matter, a Merton Council spokesperson said: “The stadium is built on previously developed land with a historic risk of flooding, a risk common across many developed areas of London.

“Given this risk, and the increase in flash flooding caused by our changing climate, the planning proposal was, like all proposals, examined rigorously.

“The council’s planning committee and the Environment Agency sought to ensure the stadium would remain safe, that the building would not increase the risk of flooding nearby, including to homes, and that damage mitigation and recovery plans were thorough and robust.

“We are working closely with the Environment Agency and AFC Wimbledon to manage the risk of flooding, and to support in the review of the club’s flooding processes.”

AFC Wimbledon is a particularly unique club with a complex and controversial history. However, that has not stopped the Dons from gathering its own collection of famous fans.

John Green


For supporters who are into their books, or have perhaps seen the film version of the novel, you will know that John Green is the author of ‘The Fault In Our Stars’.

However, what you may not know is that Green is also a massive fan of AFC Wimbledon and is even a part-owner of the club.

While he does not get to attend Plough Lane in person as much as he would like, he is incredibly vocal about his love for the team and regularly uses his huge platform on X, formerly Twitter, to showcase it.

Here is a video posted in September 2023, showing all the best AFC Wimbledon chants:

In truth, tifos are not as common in English football as they are in the rest of Europe and across the world, however, that doesn’t mean they are never used at all – usually in the form of a banner rather than an artistic display.

Banner aimed at Milton Keynes Dons

The vast majority of football fans in England are aware of the controversial relationship between Milton Keynes Dons and AFC Wimbledon.

First, there was Wimbledon FC, which relocated to Milton Keynes and rebranded itself into Milton Keynes Dons. Some of Wimbledon FC’s supporters therefore became MK Dons fans.

Those that didn’t, created AFC Wimbledon in 2002. This banner is a reminder of the tension that exists between the two fanbases.

 

As is often the case, for the best views possible at Ploguh Lane, you will want to secure a ticket in one of the two stands that run along the pitches touchline.

In the case of AFC Wimbledon, this is the West Stand (Cappagh Stand) and the East Stand (Ry Stand).

This is because these stands provide the best view of the entire pitch, rather than just one of the halves like the stands located behind the goals.

For the very best views possible at Plough Lane, most supporters suggest sitting towards the back of the Cappagh Stand.

Seating Plan

Plough Lane seating plan
Photo by AFC Wimbledon

Entrances

The postcode for AFC Wimbledon’s home stadium is SW17 ONR. If you are coming from the southern end, Plough Lane can be accessed using the A24. Given the scarcity of parking in London, it is advisable to access the ground via public transport if possible.

Nearly 1,500 away fans are located in the North Stand. The entrance for this stand is Gate 7, which you can find via Maskell Road and St Martin’s Way.

Home fans with tickets in the South and East Stands can enter the stadium via Greyhound Parade.

While the offering of pubs at most clubs is fairly dire for away fans, it is perhaps more so at AFC Wimbledon than any other. The vast majority of the pubs in the local area, including those in the town centre, will be full to the brim with home fans on matchday.

The Earlsfield, which is located beneath Earsfield Railway Station, is widely considered to be the closest pub to the ground for away fans and is about a 20-minute walk away from the stadium.

Other than that, our suggestion would be to drink elsewhere in London and then use the Underground service to get to Wimbledon.

Home fan pubs

As outlined above, home fans will have the choice of virtually every pub in the local area so there will be an option for everyone.

Our top three suggestions are as follows:

Plough Lane pale ale

AFC Wimbledon have confirmed a new partnership with Wimbledon Brewery, who will now serve as the club’s official craft beer partner. As part of the deal, a specially brewed Plough Lane Pale Ale will be available alongside Wimbledon Lager across the Cherry Red Records Stadium. Supporters can enjoy both in the Phoenix Pub, Speedway Bar, and the brand-new East Stand venue, Trap 6, with Wimbledon Brewery also becoming the latest partner of The Phoenix Pub.

Food

Whether you and an way fan or AFC Wimbledon supporter, there are plenty of restaurants and hotels a round Plough Lane. Below, we have sampled some of the best foods you can eat at the venue on matchdays.

 

By train and metro

Wimbledon is a very well-located town, particularly to the rest of London. Several trains run between major stations, such as Waterloo and Wimbledon, and the journey takes less than 30 minutes.

Once you arrive at Wimbledon Station, Plough Lane is approximately a 25-minute walk away.

The tube ride to Plough Lane takes an average of 50 minutes from different regions. One has to look for the District and Northern lines. Tooting Broadway Station is the best option when using the Northern line, while Wimbledon Park is the best pick when using the District line.

By bus

While using buses for your entire journey may be pretty time-consuming, they are an excellent way to get from the town centre to the stadium.

If you do not fancy the 25-minute walk from the station, regular bus services run between the two locations on matchdays.

By car

Plough Lane can be reached using the A24 if you are heading up from the southern end. The M3 or M4 would be a better pick for those coming from the west of London.

Where is the best place to park for the AFC Wimbledon game?

In general, though, driving to the stadium is not advised due to the tight parking regulations in the areas surrounding the ground.

The club does not guarantee parking spaces for fans, so we highly recommend travelling by public transport when possible.

If driving is a must, our suggestion is to park further afield and finish the rest of your journey either on foot or by public transport.

In its current form, Plough Lane has a capacity of approximately 9,300, with the capacity of each stand as follows:

  • Cappagh West Stand – 4,267
  • South Stand – 1,092
  • Ry Stand – 2,391
  • North Stand – 1,465

However, those figures could one day change with the club already having permission from Merton Council to one day expand the ground to a capacity of 20,000.

For supporters that are interested, AFC Wimbledon does in fact offer stadium tours of their Plough Lane stadium.

Understandably, these are not held as frequently as is seen by the clubs in the Premier League, however, there are usually at least a couple dates available in each month through the year.

This can change throughout the season so always consult the club’s website for exact dates available.

A stadium tour of Plough Lane is priced as follows:

  • Adults – £15
  • Over 65s & Students – £12
  • Under 18s – £5

Some of the facilities you will receive behind-the-scenes access to on the Plough Lane stadium tour are:

  • Changing rooms
  • Pitchside area
  • Referee’s room
  • Executive Box
  • Padded Seats
  • Museum

As well as being very well-connected to the rest of London, Wimbledon is also a town with plenty to offer fans who plan on making a day, or perhaps a weekend, of their trip to Plough Lane.

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum

For supporters who are also into their tennis, visiting Wimbledon is already likely to be high on your bucket list. However, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is an equally entertaining attraction too.

At this venue, visitors can see a large collection of memorabilia, including various rackets, balls and trophies that have been made over the years.

While you will likely want to use a bus to travel between the museum and Plough Lane, a 40-minute walk means that you could potentially visit the attraction directly after the game.

Wimbledon Common

Wimbledon Common may be for you if you are keen to enjoy the laidback nature of a large public green space.

Wimbledon Common is an area abundant with a variety of woodland and wildlife, making it an excellent place for a relaxing stroll or perhaps even a bike ride.

A golf club is also located within the common, which will likely appeal to a large number of supporters.

New Wimbledon Theatre

An altogether different option is to visit the New Wimbledon Theatre and watch one of the many plays or musicals being shown there.

The theatre has several exclusive shows on offer, including:

  • Snow White and Rose Red
  • Here You Come Again – The New Dolly Parton Musical
  • Cruel Intentions
  • Blood Brothers

Plough Lane as we know it today only opened its doors to supporters in 2020 so there is nothing retro about any of the pictures taken at the ground.

But Plough Lane is a stadium with a long and winding history…

A sad day for all AFC Wimbledon fans

While Plough Lane only opened in 2020, the land upon which it is built was the previous home of Wimbledon FC and was beloved by the entire fanbase.

The pictures above showcase the ground just before its demolition in 2002, looking a far cry from its once impressive former self.

When AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 they didn’t have the luxury of picking and choosing a stadium.

Instead, they had to settle for using the Kingsmeadow Stadium; it was the former ground of semi-pro side Kingstonian. It wasn’t until 2014 that the return to their true home – Plough Lane – looked like it could one day become a reality.

That was only when planning was sought though; it wasn’t until three years later that building works got underway. The club eventually returned to action at Plough Lane in 2020, making it one of the newest football stadiums in the UK.

JustGiving Page

In September of 2024, Plough Lane was the subject of a massive flood that caused a huge sinkhole to appear within its pitch.

The tragedy, while expected given the site’s history of such an event, had a huge impact on the club, with AFC Wimbledon having to play two home fixtures elsewhere.

A JustGiving page was set up to help the club tackle the flood, and after receiving overwhelming support from fans and football clubs alike, the page reached over £100,000.

Expansion?

While there have been no explicit talks or reports regarding the expansion of Plough Lane at this time, the club already has planning permission to one day expand the stadium to a capacity of 20,000.

If AFC Wimbledon were to reach the heights of the Championship and possibly the Premier League, that distant plan could become a reality.

Record Attendance

The record attendance at the new Plough Lane stadium is 8,623, which was set in 2024 during a match against Walsall.

Average Attendance

AFC Wimbledon’s League Two average attendance during the 2024/25 season was one of the best in the division. A promotion to the third division means we could see more fans turn up at Plough Lane during the 2024/25 season.

Meanwhile, here is a breakdown of Plough Lane’s average attendance in recent seasons.

  • 2024/25 – 7,924
  • 2023/24 – 7,893
  • 2022/23 – 7,604
  • 2021/22 – 7,704
  • 2020/21 – 0 (Covid-19)

AFC Wimbledon vs Milton Keynes Dons rivalry

While not technically a local rivalry, Milton Keynes Dons are the only rival worth mentioning when it comes to AFC Wimbledon.

The rivalry was born out of controversy, with the former Wimbledon FC granted permission to relocate to Milton Keynes and rebrand as Milton Keynes Dons. Unhappy Wimbledon fans then created AFC Wimbledon in response.

In truth, it isn’t the most intense rivalry in the world, with most AFC Wimbledon supporters refusing to even acknowledge the existence of their rivals.

With AFC Wimbledon heading back to League One after getting promoted through the play-offs, it may take a while before we have a matchup of these teams. MK Dons finished the 2024/25 season in 19th spot.

That being said, the rivalry and its origins are an important part of both clubs’ history.

South London rivalries

As mentioned, the Dons’ main rival is Milton Keynes Dons, however, there is always a little extra needle in games against other teams based in South London. They aren’t what fans would typically refer to as derbies, but there is a sense that some South London bragging rights are up for grabs in these matches.

There are three other major teams in the South London area, those being Millwall, Crystal Palace and Charlton, and one match is not particularly more intense than any other. As AFC Wimbledon continue to rise through the ranks though, that could potentially change.

Having been opened in 2020, Plough Lane boasts relatively good facilities for supporters with disabilities.

These include:

  • 92 wheelchair-user spaces
  • 450 easy-access seats
  • 11 accessible toilets
  • 1 Changing places facility
  • Audio commentary service
  • Hearing loops at key locations
  • 28 accessible parking spaces

However,. as always, we strongly recommend contacting the club ahead of your arrival if you have any specific needs on matchday.

AFC Wimbledon are now a League One outfit following their promotion last season. With that, the Dons recently announced the availability of tickets for the new campaign, which can be accessed online on the club’s website or through the club’s mobile app.

Single-match tickets for the 2025/26 season will cost as little as £5. Simply select your seat using the seat map on the website and proceed to checkout with one of the accepted payment methods.

Ticket prices for the 2025/26 season at the AFC Wimbledon stadium are priced as follows:

  • Adult – £27
  • Over 66 – £19
  • Students – £17
  • U-17 – £10

Please note that ticket prices vary depending on the location of your seat and the age of the supporters. Also, the prices may vary from one stand to another.

Securing season tickets at the club is subject to purchasing membership priced as follows:

  • Junior Dons Membership – £20
  • Dons Trust Membership – £15
  • Dons Trust Life Membership – £750
  • Adults – £50
  • Concession – £35

The current price of the AFC Wimbledon match programme is £3.

Reviews

Avatar of Steve Andrews 'Doing the 92' Steve Andrews 'Doing the 92'
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Newport County
CompetitionLeague 2
Date16/03/2024

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I have a great respect for AFC Wimbledon and how the club has reformed and returned to the Football League. Also, I was delighted when they moved to their new stadium in 2020 so near to the old Plough Lane. Therefore this was easily one of the grounds I was most looking forward to visiting.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I travelled up on the supporters’ bus with Newport County. We left South Wales at 8-00 am and got to Wimbledon around 12-30 pm.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Before the game I went to the Against the Grain cask ale pub. Beers were obviously at London prices’ but of exceptional quality. Well worth the cost. Afterwards I made my way to the ground. The ground is impressive on the outside (see pics) and respect is given to the history of its former incarnation with a statue to Lawrie Sanchez and Dave Beasant, two of the heroes in their 1988 FA Cup win over Liverpool. All the home fans I met were friendly and inquisitive over my quest to ‘do the 92.’

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

An impressive modern stadium ideal for this level of football. Neat compact stands on all sides and I’ve heard that the club has options to extend stands if and when the need arises.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game was an exciting affair and Newport took the lead early in the first half. There afterwards they defended well and even extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half. Regarding the stewards, they were friendly and helpful at all times. The atmosphere in the away end was as it always is with Newport excellent especially has they won 2-0. And finally, the ‘pie question.’ Prior to the game I asked if they had vegetarian pies. They did and even had the curtesy to set one aside for me at half time. Needless to say I was not disappointed, especially with the quality.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Considering that a section of the M25 was closed on this weekend the journey back to south Wales was relatively straight forward and we got back to Newport at 8-30pm.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

A really good day out especially as Newport won. As always after visiting a new ground I ask myself ‘if I lived there would go and support the team’? In this case it is an emphatic yes! I can only wish AFC Wimbledon my best regards in their dream to one day return to the Premier League.

Images

AFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC WimbledonAFC Wimbledon
Avatar of Tad Szcepanski Tad Szcepanski
Game AttendedWimbledon v Morecambe
CompetitionLeague Division Two
Date17/02/2024

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Mainly meeting up with my eldest and visiting a new ground.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Getting to London isn't the problem. It's when you get there that the problems start. It took me ages to get across London to the stadium. You must allow plenty of time for travel.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Unfortunately I arrived at quarter to 3 which meant necking a pint in the away bar. Not ideal.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The away end faces this massive blank block of a housing development. It's basically just a huge wall. There are some swanky flats overlooking the rest of it, although I didn't see anyone coming out to see the mighty Shrimps! The pre-match music was great, and we were jigging about to some drum n'bass, due to the Cherry Red Records association.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Wimbledon: the only ground where you can get a glass of rose to have with your "rainbow vegan pasty". The stewards were great, a really jolly bunch. Someone started taking the rib out of the bloke who had to come up to the back every five minutes. They were top lads, I wish they were all like that.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Some very helpful Wimbledon fans walked us up the road and put us on the right bus for Victoria.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

We had a cracking day. Their fans were helpful and friendly. It was a bit of a PITA getting through London and I was glad to get home, but the club's got a nice atmosphere and I'll be happy to Womble on down there again.
Avatar of Luke Bunch Luke Bunch
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Morcambe
CompetitionLeague 2
Date17/02/2024

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Was done in London for the weekend and fancied going to a game outwith the Premier League

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Took the tube to Tooting Broadway and then jumped on a bus that stopped at a Lidl store beside the ground

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

My son and I grabbed some juice and tea from one of the catering outlets within the stadium confines

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

It looked just like I had seen in the photos. the main stand looks impressive. the three other stands were also fine.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Decent enough atmosphere helped by a very enthusiastic mascot. AFC had the better of the chances but couldn't convert and Morcambe took advantage to equalise.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Decided to walk back to Tooting Broadway as I wasn't sure how regular the buses would be or how busy they would be.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Decent enough day out.
Avatar of Jez Shaw Jez Shaw
Game AttendedNotts County
CompetitionEFL2
Date25/11/2023

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

A chance to visit a new ground on the first occasion that Notts had visited.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Took the train from Nottm to St Pancras, Victoria Line to Vauxhall and then another train to Wimbledon Station. All reasonably straightforward.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Went to The Wibbas Down Inn for a couple of beers and food followed by another pint in The Prince of Wales opposite Wimbledon Station. Both decent pubs with a good choice of beers and the Man City v Liverpool game on the TV in The Prince of Wales.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Quite impressed with the ground, which was compact but a decent size for the level. Away end was a reasonable size and covered behind one of the goals giving a good view of the pitch. Home end and one side of the ground of similar size with a larger nice looking main stand to the right of the away end.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Notts had sold out the away end and a good turn out from the home fans made for a good atmosphere. Only 4 turnstiles in operation, 2 at each side of the away end however led to long queues meaning I along with many others missed the first few minutes of the game. Notts were poor in the first half, finding themselves 2-0 down at the break and in truth it could have been more. Attacking the away end Notts improved considerably, scoring 2 quick goals to level the game and but for a great save by the Dons keeper could have led 3-2. However Notts’ defensive frailties again came back to haunt them, conceding two late goals to lose the game 4-2.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Easy to get away from the ground at full time, before making the 30 min walk back to the station. Special word for the stewards, who seemed friendly and relaxed, with one guy in particular keen to celebrate with the Notts fans when we scored our equaliser!

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Great game for the neutral and good advert for EFL2 but disappointing end for Notts having come back from 2 goals down only to hand the initiative back to the Dons. Overall though a good day out and I left impressed with both the ground and the atmosphere.
Avatar of Ryan Ryan
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon vs Plymouth Argyle
CompetitionSky Bet League 1
Date18/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

It's a new ground and having done Kingsmedow a few times it was time to see what the new place was all about.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Straingt forward on the train, bit of a walk down the Highstreet but there are stewards and police on the street near the ground to point you in the right direction.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

There really wasn't Alot to do other than head to the ground, Pub was already rammed by half 12 so straight to the ground it was, Home fans were muppets it's fair to say we'll the youth were atleast, some of the older fans were alright at best.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

New ground? Phaaaa you're having a laugh, not even half finished, 4 portaloos for 1400 fans, 3 of which flodded and got taken out of action over an hour before kick off, No alcohol as the taps refused to work, not even proper tickets when we went, had to hold a bit of paper up to the stewards before going through some rope attached to some tables. Awful view of the pitch, you're so low down, even at the back of the "stand" (more like a bit of metal slapped against some seats) Daft looking main stand with some weird apartment building on top, rest of the ground was identical to the away end. I know Wimbledon aren't the richest club in the world but atleast make an effort.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Very flat and very dull, nothing much to get either home or away fans going untill a moment of magic from Ryan Hardie who sold Wimbledons keeper a hotdog to win us the game 1-0, the Wimbledon ultras seem to have set up shop to the left of the away end although they didn't really make much noise. As stated facilities didn't exist other than some seats to sit on, no turnstiles, no working toilets, no food/drink van, baffling that the glorified shed was given the greenlight to host League 1 matches!

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Some experience, Wimbledon fans are very sore losers it turns out so a few punch ups along the way back up the highstreet to the train station, Huge police presence in and around the station forcing you onto trains you don't actually need to go on, bit of a shambles all around really.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Poor excuse of a new place, poor game, home fans were muppets, but 3 points and Wimbledon went down to league 2 where even then its a stretch to call their new ground league 2 standard.

Images

AFC Wimbledon
Avatar of Paul King Paul King
Game AttendedWimbledon v Leyton Orient
CompetitionLeague Two
Date08/11/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

First trip to their new stadium and glad they are back ‘home’

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Train delays aside quite easy

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Fish and chips near Earlsfield station. Didn’t meet any before match but afterwards were friendly

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Small but tidy. Main stand looks impressive but away stand has shallow rake and feels almost like a temporary building.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Awful, with poor referring and over zealous stewards who didn’t really seem to have much idea of what they were there for. All black uniform not user friendly!

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Chaos inside the ground as stewards were aggressively dealing with a problem and they were confused as to which way to send us

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Glad I visited the new stadium but they have problems with stewarding so coupled with a poor game that we lost it was not an enjoyable experience
Avatar of Steve Chaplin Steve Chaplin
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Leyton Orient
CompetitionEFL League 2
Date08/11/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

First visit to the ground had previously seen Wimbledon play Orient at Kingstonian's ground

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Tube to Tooting Broadway then about a 15 minuet walk to the ground although I do walk quickly

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Couple of beers in J J Moons at Tooting Broadway. only saw other Orient fans in there

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Typical identikit lower league ground with poor lines of sight from the away end. Probably similar from the rest of the ground apart from perhaps the main stand

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Poor from an Orient point of view. Catering barely acceptable they seemed surprised at 1200 away fans as they ran out of food fairly quickly. Gents toilets also flooded before half time. Stewards more like something from a paramilitary organisation with dark clothing and balaclavas

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

The police directed the away supporters through an industrial estate which was confusing and many people lost their bearings when finally back onto a main road. So not ideal especially for the elderly or for those without the relevant technology

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

From a footballing point of view not good but even if the result had been better not a great experience.
Avatar of Alex Compton Alex Compton
Game AttendedWimbledon Vs Northampton
CompetitionLeague two
Date13/09/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

New ground for all us cobblers fans so me and my son were looking forward to ticking off yet another new ground.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

No car park at the ground. We parked about 1/2 mile away on the main road towards the ground but the parking restrictions on a Saturday where we parked meant you couldn't park there, as it was a Tuesday night after 6.30pm it was ok. Journey was ok taking a out 2 1/2 hours to get there through the M25 traffic. You wouldn't even know there was a footy ground there until you're right next to it.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Walked to the ground and went straight in and I had a sweet potato, leek and spinach pie, which was actually really nice. My son and mate had a chicken leek pie and steak pie which they said was also great.plus a pint of lager. All fans were great and friendly and told us where the away end was which was helpful.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

As previously said you don't even know the ground was there until you're on top of it and before the game having our food you still don't know you're in a footy ground, very weird. Ground itself is really good and the 3 tier stand is impressive.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Game was great from our point of view with a fully deserved 2-0 win played in awful conditions. Stewards were really friendly and toilets surprisingly clean.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Had to walk a long way to get back to our car due to the police closing the roads but by the time we got back we were on our way easily enough with minimal traffic.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Good day out with my son and mate, traffic was ok, ground and food was good and the result for the mighty cobblers was brilliant.
Avatar of Pete Williams Pete Williams
Game AttendedMK Dons
CompetitionLeague One
Date09/04/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

The 1st time any MK Dons fans have been allowed to visit the Meccano Stadium plus the chance to increase their relegation worries was too good a chance to miss

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Went by coach and it took ages to arrive mainly because we has a tour of London beforehand. Problems on the M25 we were told.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

No choice but to just enter the ground on arrival. No home fans sighted but I can safely say that they would not have been friendly

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The ground is situated in a trading estate and apart from the Main Stand looks temporary. Good sight lines though

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The atmosphere was electric to say the least which made it very interesting. Awful 1st half and the MK fell behind to a scrappy goal. Much improved 2nd half and we scored a wonder goal after dominating the game. Over 68% possession and we should have won but nearly lost to their only attempt in the 2nd half. Stadium announcer never mentioned any of our substitutes which was petty but in line with the ethics of AFC. Stewards in our end were okay but the ones who were supposed to contain the homes fans allowed them to do what they wanted. Excellent menu BUT only beer on sale was Stella. Meat pie was good though and by London prices reasonable priced.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Kept behind for ages because of disagreements between the rival fans along the main road. Once we got going then good journey home.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Wanted 3 points but with Rotherham losing it turned out okay and our unbeaten run continued. Hopefully we never have to visit this ground again
Avatar of Dominic Dominic
Game AttendedWimbledon v Cambridge Utd
CompetitionLeague One
Date26/03/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

The final of the three grounds new to the 92 this year to visit.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Got the tube to Tooting Broadway and walked there - maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Perfectly straightforward.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

I went straight into the ground. Lots of home fans milling about on the (open air) concourse behind the East Stand, where my ticket was for. Seemed a friendly easygoing bunch.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The main stand (opposite) looks impressive and not unattractive, but the other three stands, while far from the worst at this level (and a vast improvement on AFCW's previous ground), were a bit functional. Maybe would have preferred them to have been raked a bit more steeply. A more substantial criticism: It's a bit disappointing that a ground opened in the 2020s, built for a League One team, should have concourses (hence: queues for catering) open to the elements, given the weather of the football season in England... The away end was absolutely full with Cambridge fans who made lots and lots of noice.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game was pretty dire: obviously a clash between two clubs in poor runs of form, both firmly enconcsed in the lower half of the table (and with AFCW bouncing in and out of the relegation zone). It was a physical and often clumsy game, which would have ended up as a fairly dull 0-0 were it one for one freak, and pretty impressive, shot on goal in the first minute of the second half from Cambridge. But neither team impressed. Atmosphere variable, Wombles' fans clearly by no means happy with their team's performance, all the noise came from the Cambridge lot. The largely enclosed nature of the ground means that sounds can echo around a fair bit. Pies and pints selection first class, a bit pricey, true, but it's in the London postcodes, so this is probably to be expected. One wine of each of three main colours on offer too - a nice touch, but even pricier. Stewards unobtrusive. All in all a comfortable and largely family environment.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

I walked up to Earlsfield station (a 20 minute walk), from where there were frequent trains. Lots of friendly (shared despair a theme) chats (rather than banter) between fans of both sides heard on the way, and on the train.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

A disappointing game (as expected) and a ground that was slightly underwhelming. A great shame there is no "official" standing section, or terraces, and the compact nature of the ground and its setting might particularly benefit from them.
Avatar of Peter Jewell Peter Jewell
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth
CompetitionEFL Div 1
Date18/01/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Have seen Pompey play Wimbledon at the old Plough Lane and at Selhurst Park as well as at Kingsmeadoww so had to tick off their new ground. Also a short journey compared to most Pompey away games.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Being a midweek game due to the Covid reduced train timetables decided to drive to the game. Didn't see any signs for the new stadium and due to a lot of parking restrictions found it difficult parking and ended up having to park in an industrial estate quite a distance from the ground. Being surrounded by apartment blokes not an easy ground to find and it felt hemmed in and dominated by the flats around it apart from the main stand.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Went to a decent pub near Wimbledon Park Tube Station. More of a middle class pub rather than a matchday pub.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Quite a strange ground as you could drive in the area and not even know a football ground was located there due to being surrounded by high rise modern apartments with the ground squeezed in the middle. A decent Main Stand but all other stands were small and pretty characterless.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

A dour 0-0 though Pompey improved their performance in the second half so deserved at least a point. Another ground where it seemed cash is not welcomed so didn't buy any food or drink in the ground. Not a very exciting game so though the away end was sold out it wasn't the best of atmospheres !

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

The police wouldn't allow Pompey fans to head directly towards the main road after the game so we took a different route back to the car after the game which took longer.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Think it would be a better experience for a 3pm game as would be easier to arrive in time and there were also difficulties getting in the ground due to the lack of away turnstiles. With tempers rising the stewards had to open a gate otherwise hundreds of Pompey fans would have missed the kick off. We would go to this ground for Saturday games but midweek is problematic and on the way back part of the A3 was shut so had to divert. Either by train or car a simple journey is much more difficult when scheduled for a Tuesday night.
Avatar of Chris Cox Chris Cox
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Morecambe
CompetitionLeague One
Date15/01/2022

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I never got to see Wimbledon at their original Plough Lane ground, but did catch a game at Kingsmeadow. This visit was part of my journey back to 92 (already qualified in 2019 and a fully paid up member) and I was looking forward to seeing what Wimbledon had done with limited space.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

All planned in advance and went like clock work. Drove up from Southampton to Morden, and found free parking (after 1pm) right next to the Northern Line Underground station. From there to Tooting Broadway is four stops along, and then a 15 minute walk to the ground.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

I didn't intend to do anything pre-match. I left at 11am, and was parking up just after 1pm. After the Underground and the walk I was at the ground just around 2pm. Home fans were fine with one gentlemen stepping in to offer directions when the steward did not seem to know where the away end actually was.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

I was pre-occupied with trying to collect my ticket for the away end, and this proved more troublesome than it should have been. Staff and stewards seem to be poorly informed as to where supporters should go. When I arrived at the away gate entrance (still without my ticket) I proved that I had paid and was ushered straight in through the disabled gate, giving me no opportunity to look around the Club shop as I would normally do on such visits. The ground feels like a non-league set up until you see the Cappagh Stand which houses the hospitality facilities.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Decent game. Two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table who effectively cancelled each other out without threatening each other that much. Entertaining, as it was end to end, but both sides need a striker with a killer instinct. The visitors will be happier with a point than their hosts. I had the Chicken Balti pie, which was delicious, and the PG tea was decent. Stewards were fine, even though some were clearly not at all knowledgeable about the venue they work at. And who doesn't love a steward who claps along, dances and joins in the away chants?

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Dead easy getting away as I was on foot, back towards Tooting Broadway station, as were many of the home fans. The Cherry Red Records Stadium is surrounds in all directions by rail/underground stations, so it is very quick and easy for home fans to disperse on foot. Meanwhile, the traffic outside the ground was at a virtual standstill, but then this is south west London so it is never going to be easy. My advice is park some where like Morden where you are at the end of the underground line, and catch the tube. I do this for all London games.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Good day out and a remarkably stress free journey. I left Southampton at 11am, and was home by 8pm and that included a stop on the return journey at the services for a meal. I will repeat the same route when I return to Plough Lane with other pilgrims who are on their own 92 quests. Looking forward to returning at some point, but I'll try and ensure that I already have the tickets in hand before leaving home.
Avatar of Mike Byers Mike Byers
Game AttendedWimbledon v Sheffield Wednesday
CompetitionLeague One
Date16/10/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

We hadn’t been to a Wednesday match since the pandemic began. We live in London and managed to get tickets thanks to my brother knowing somebody who had points from previous away games. We had never been to the old Plough Lane and were also pleased to see Wimbledon back home after being put out of business as a club by the evil forces of American-style capitalism.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

We got the train to Clapham Junction, changed there and got off at some suburban station near the ground - it was abut 15 mins walk to Plough Lane. Very easy.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

We had a walk around the ground, bought a badge from a very impressive badge stall, saw the other retro Wimbledon things and got into the ground early.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

It reminded us of the Copper Box Arena at the Stratford Olympic site, where we had seen netball. It looked somewhat makeshift and a bit unreal as a football ground. Away end: small, Other stands: small The stand opposite us looked surreal with the tall modern building behind it.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Game itself: Quite entertaining. Frustrating for us Wednesdayites as we should have won but contrived to draw. Atmosphere: About what you’d expect from a 9,000 stadium. The away fans sang a fair bit but the majority seemed to be suffering from hangovers by half-time following their journey down so became grumpy as the game wore on. Stewards: They were really friendly and a credit to AFC Wimbledon. They interacted well with the away end. In contrast, the Met police officers on duty looked like they didn’t’t want to be there and were incapable of interacting with the fans, until the end when they rushed one guy who was being an idiot and piled on to him to arrest him. I guess they enjoy that sort of thing. Pies: Didn’t have one. One of us had a pint of beer, which was tasty. Facilities: Temporary toilets, but still 10 x better than at Hillsborough. The ground is sponsored by Cherry Red records so the music was much better than the usual garbage.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Using my legs, I walked out of the ground and back to that station. On the way, somebody on a bicycle was riding down the high street shouting about Jesus but in the style of a football chant. Just outside the ground some cars were moving towards the departing Owls fans and one rolled over the foot of one of the Wednesday faithful. The Wednesdayite took exception to this and shouted at the man in the car. His distress was heightened when the man offered no response to the accusation of dangerous driving. He sat there impassively, not one sign on his face that he would acknowledge the injured party, let alone apologise. I think he had a copy of the Conservative party manifesto on the passenger’s seat, although I might be embellishing that part of the story.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

League One is a nightmare division for us to be in. The third time in the last 20 years that we’ve been down there, and the fourth time in our history. So it’s not really possible watching a club like Wednesday underperforming in this league with its small towns, small grounds etc. If I discount the result, AFC Wimbledon provided us with a perfectly good place to watch football.
Avatar of Justin Bentley Justin Bentley
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon Ladies V Walton Casuals Ladies
CompetitionFA Women's Cup
Date24/10/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Was in London to take my daughter to see the Harry Potter wands, saw this was on and free tickets so an opportunity to see a women's game and a new tick

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I lived in Earlsfield in the late 90s so roughly knew my way though it's a lot more gentrified now! 10 ish mins from Waterloo, 15 min walk or 3 mins on the bus (which we did). This was a Sunday and a lower key fixture so I did see some people street parking.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Straight to the ground but I was tempted by one of my old haunts the Halfway House. Other than Fulham, AFC Wimbledon must be the most middle class fans in the land (not a dig), everyone very friendly, a lot of kids, not sure if that was due to it being a woman's game with free tickets, the first team ground may be different (though I got the impression most were AFC fans in general)

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Great that they are home, perfectly functional and the permanent stand was very good, quite hidden due to flats etc around the ground.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Really good standard, stewards relaxed, we were in town so I had a slightly bigger bag than was permitted but they were fine with that, it may not be the case for a more high profile game. Standard but decent football fayre to eat and drink

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Very easy as per getting there, there were on 1500 ish there though

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Nice ground and place, will re-visit
Avatar of Alan Alan
Game AttendedAfc Wimbledon v plymouth argyle
CompetitionLeague one
Date18/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

It was a ground i hadn't been too

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I went by tube but had to get off at tooting broadway because the district line was down. It was a 20 minute walk from the ground

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Didn't see any home fans before the game (genuine) until i was at the actual stadium. I got a budwieser and a sausage roll in the ground. Very annoyed they advertised magners but didnt serve it (this is the 1st season with away fans too!!!)

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The ground itself looked nice from a distance. However up close it looks and feels incomplete and very temporary. From the metal floors to the portaloos and what looks like a makeshift food and drink area.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game was a good 1. The home team started very well but we dug deep for the win. The home fans were pretty good for a change. But as you would expect the argyle fans were fantastic as usual. The stewards seemed very friendly. As for the facilities SHOCKING! Sausage roll was nice however i asked for a magners which they advertised yet they dont serve it (1st season with fans for this ground so no excuse) The toilets look like a temporary toilet block. And speaking of block. They were blocked and flooding just 30 mins after the turnstiles opened!!!

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Getting away was very easy. Although its a ball ache having to walk all the way around the ground because most of the surrounding area was closed off

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

My summary is i wont be going back unless its an important fixture. Felt like a new ground on a very cheap budget that was put up in a hurry
Avatar of Alf Cullen Alf Cullen
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Plymouth Argyle
CompetitionLeague 1
Date18/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Another new ground to tick off with the real Dons back at their spiritual home. Both teams started this season well and scoring goals so hopeful for a good game

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Train from Plymouth to London Paddington on Friday. Signal failure on underground District Line so got Bakerloo Line to Waterloo. Then mainline train to Wimbledon. Hotel 5 minutes from Wimbledon station. Walked back to station Saturday lunchtime and got 493 bus to Wimbledon Stadium. Tip. Ignore the directions on the Wimbledon website regarding stations . The above route is easier, nearer and quicker. Turn right out of Wimbledon Station, right again onto Alexander Riad and the bus goes from stop A on your left.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Bought a programme from outside the main entrance then walked up Summerstown to Riverside Road which is the only access to the away gate. There are no turnstiles just a metal barrier where your tickets are scanned. Beware!! Wimbledon ‘tickets’ are a sheet of paper with a QR code on. It clearly says on these to download to phone or print at home. If you scan the QR code to your phone they will not let you in. For some reason you must have the bit of A4. I asked why and they said to avoid copying!! Obviously never heard of a photocopier. The Dons fans on the bus chatted away but could not believe Argyle had sold there full allocation!

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

I admire what the Dons fans have done to build this ground through their own efforts but it could be any ground. All very standard apart from the main stand which has some nice but very under patronised executive boxes. Wimbledon website had said all home stands had sold out but this was clearly not the case .

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Had a burger (cold) and a Diet Coke (warm). Before the game. Card payment only (£7). Atmosphere in the ground was cracking with Argyle fans keeping up an almost constant wall of noise. Home fans did get behind their team when they were on the attack which was quite often. Despite having only a third of the possession, yet another Ryan Hardie goal gave Argyle the points.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

On leaving the ground the police take you through an area that bears a distinct resemblance to Beirut after the explosion. Take care you don’t trip especially after night games. Unsure why as this finally takes you back to Summerstown but about 100m down the road from Riverside Riaf. Walked back down Summerstown to Plough Lane and got bus back to Station and hotel.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Another good away day with Argyle. Tight game but you have to take your chances in this league.
Avatar of Liam Williams Liam Williams
Game AttendedWimbledon V Portsmouth
CompetitionPapa Johns Trophy
Date07/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

New ground for me and I support Southampton so I was well and truly a Dons fan for the day. One of the reasons I was looking forward to this was because I had looked into the history of Wimbledon and watch some YouTube clips about the move from Plough lane before I was born. So was excited to see a club move back home.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Arrived by train, came down from Clapham Junction and got off the train at Wimbledon. Was a 25/30 min walk from the station. I was told by a Dons fan that there is a bus you can catch but we had time on our side and fancied a walk.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Went to a pub opposite Wimbledon train station. Was a green king pub with a few Dons fans. Spoke to a few fans for directions and everyone was more than friendly.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Its a lovely ground. Really smart. Due to it being a Papa Johns group game they only had the main stand for home supports and one stand behind the goal open. Would of been amazing to go and visit when it was full.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The club let themselves down with the food and drink kiosks inside the ground. They only opened half of the kiosks and people were queuing for 25min and longer to grab some food. This did change at HT because they then opened up all the kiosks so they did redeem themselves here. I think there were a few issues with seats because lots of people were sat in the wrong seat. If it was just the odd person you can say it was down to the individual not the club double booking seats but for it to be so many people sat in the wrong place it seemed odd to me.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Super easy to get away from the ground. Walked back the way we walked to the ground. Jumped on the train home with no fuss at all. Good service to London.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Good evening away. Glad to get it done and would return for a league game when the ground is full. Watched a great game of football and Pompey lost so all in all was a successful evening.
Avatar of ANDREW DAVIDSON ANDREW DAVIDSON
Game AttendedAFC WIMBLEDON V PORTSMOUTH
CompetitionPapa John’s Trophy
Date07/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I went to the original Plough Lane many times as a child, so I was especially looking forward to ticking off this new ground. Tickets were priced at only £10 and were available on the night, which made it an easy option.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I traveled via the tram from Croydon to Wimbledon then got the 493 bus to the stadium.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

I went straight to the ground and bought just a sandwich as it was an exceptionally hot night!

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

From the road you can only see the flats that surround the stadium, then once inside I was impressed by the neatness and the sight lines.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game had a carefree, open, attacking quality with a fabulous atmosphere, especially the traveling Pompey fans. I just bought a couple of cokes, which were expensive.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

The ground is quite a way from a station, so I waited for the 493 back to Wimbledon town centre and then got the tram back home. The 493 does not run very frequently for night games and is rather small, so fans may find this difficult with a bigger crowd.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

I enjoyed visiting the stadium and would be keen to see the London Broncos RL team there when they move in next year.
Avatar of John Aubrey John Aubrey
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Oxford
CompetitionLeague One
Date04/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Although i've been to Wimbledon before this was my first visit to their new ground

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I got the train into London, quick few stops on the underground and then a further train to Earlsfield. From there it was an easy 15 minute walk down the High Street.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Walked up to the ground, got in there for about 2 and had a beer. Home fans seemed friendly enough when i was on route to the ground.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Quite a tidy little ground actually although it is surrounded by flats and tallish buildings so appears from nowhere however there is good signage directed away fans to the away end.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

We as we usually do have plenty of possession. Wimbledon a decent side who played a high pressing game throughout which unsettled us as we like to play out from the back. We took the lead on the stroke of HT and should've really gone on to kill the game second half however our achilles heel of defending crosses reared it's ugly head and before we knew it we were 2-1 down before Wimbledon rounded the game off with a well taken goal on the counter attack. Stewards were friendly enough and good, neat and tidy facilities in the ground.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Easy walk back to the station, i'd highly recommend travelling by train as it was so quick and easy.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Was buzzing beforehand as it was a great chance to go top, started well but ended very poorly, not a good day at the office at all.
Avatar of Matthew Matthew
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon vs Portsmouth
CompetitionPapa Johns Trophy
Date07/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Plough Lane is brand new and was excited to see a new stadium. Also drinking spots are plentiful in London so a good away day.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Earlsfield train station is 14 mins into Waterloo and a 10/15 min walk to the ground. I wouldn't say it was a 'short walk'. But easy enough, straight road down from the station and on your right.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

We drank at The Fire Station at Waterloo for a number of hours then The Halfway House outside Earlsfield Station. The latter was full of good natured and relaxed Pompey fans. Number of food outlets on the walk to the ground like KFC etc (heavily advise you to eat before the ground..)

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The ground is tucked away inside apartment blocks so can't see it really. The away stand and 2 others looked like temporary metal scaffolding stands... The food and drink outlet was massively overcrowded with 800-1000 Pompey fans. A steward told me they sometimes have up to 1800 away fans, god knows how they handle that many! Toilets and food outlet was in a portable cabin type joint.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Pompey conceded within 30 seconds and conceded 5 by the end of the game... Disappointed to be smashed 5-3 by a team we SHOULD beat. Stewards were heavy handed with my mate as he brought a beer into the stand, he tried to walk back out to drink it and stewards got heavy handed. very uncalled for, especially at a midweek cup game. Chicken Tikka pie was lovely though..

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Pretty easy. 1000 Pompey fans and only 1000 Wimbledon fans so not many people leaving. Same old 10-15 min walk back to Earlsfield station.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

The ground that Wimbledon used to be in was horrible and unfit for purpose. This ground looks slightly better but still not fit for purpose. Temporary feel, terrible service for food and drink and toilets for away fans. Positives are: 1. It's London so loads of pubs, loads of transport etc. 2. Small compact roof makes it easy for fans to make noise.
Avatar of John Scott John Scott
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Oxford
CompetitionLeague 1
Date04/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Another tick off the 92 list.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Arrived at Kings Cross on my train from Newcastle. Took the Victoria line to Vauxhall then national rail to Wimbledon. Timed the journey from Kings Cross to Wimbledon at 42 mins from platform to platform.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Ate at the Wibbas down Wetherspoons just off Wimbledon Broadway. I'd made a promise to my wife i'd limit my beer intake so as i would make it to a Christening the next day so i had to seek an alternative to the pub. Planned on taking the 493 bus up to the all England tennis club for a curious look. When the 1st bus that arrived was only going one stop i got impatient and walked. Not the easiest walk as it starts by going up Wimbledon Hill. The name says it all. Wimbledon centre court appeared into view and was quite impressive. It's all well guarded but got close enough for decent pics of the ivy clad centre and No1 courts. You can do the museum for £13 which includes a trip inside No 1 court but TBH that bit would have been the only bit of interest to me. Took the 493 from there and it stops right outside the football ground. Headed for a pint (just one mind) at the Leather bottle pub but a place called The Corner Pin appeared so tried there instead. Served easily. Plenty of room. Beer garden at back. Home fans only.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Doesn't look much from outside. Tucked away by what looks like flats. Inside had 3 stands of similar height with a taller main stand. The upper half of this looked like executive boxes. Tidy and functional ground but seems to have sold out for home games so far so i'm questioning whether the capacity is large enough.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Oxford took the lead just on HT then Wimbledon headed an equaliser early in the 2nd half. It really could have went either way but Wimbledon took their chances while Oxford didn't. Once the game turned in Wimbledons' favour the place was at times rocking.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

I left in injury time and walked to Earlsfield which i believe is the nearest. I was on a train by 5.15 pm and on my way back to Kings Cross via Vauxhall.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Travel went smoothly. Decent game and another ground ticked off. I'm pleased for the Wimbledon fans to finally have a place of their own after so many years. They've been on one hell of a rollercoaster ride. My club Newcastle are going through a lean time but it just shows you that betters times might return one day.
Avatar of Andrew Goddard Andrew Goddard
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Oxford United
CompetitionLeague One
Date04/09/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Thwarted by the late postponement of the Colchester-Sutton United match we were grateful of the opportunity to instead visit the new Plough Lane. Easy enough to pick-up East Stand tickets online (£24 adults/£16 concessions), and Oxford had started the new season well so a decent game hopefully on the cards.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Read about delays in getting into the ground at previous games and knew that local roads are frequently gridlocked, so we left Wimbledon town centre at approx. 2pm and caught a 493 bus down to the ground. Journey time circa 15 mins.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

As it turned out, access to the stadium was seamless so with 40 mins or so to kill we had a wander around the 'street food' area behind the South Stand. All very friendly and family-oriented, this is broadly equivalent to a 'poor mans version' of the similar set-up at Ashton Gate. Opted for a pint of Wimbledon Brewery Pale Ale, very good. Whilst this area is outdoors so far from luxurious, there is a fair bit of space to gather without blocking access to the various food outlets. Works well and food concessions all seemed to be busy.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Rather underwhelming from the outside as lacks any grandeur in terms of a main entrance or focal point. Once in the stadium, leg room is decent and sightlines good from the East Stand. The vast wall towering over the South Stand was, to my taste, somewhat bleak and imposing. But the club have done brilliantly to get back to Plough Lane so can understand why aesthetic has given way to functionality in places. Our stand had just 11 or 12 rows, and it looked like those behind either goal were about the same. I was surprised to see that Oxford had still failed to sell out their modest (1000 or so) allocation after their positive start to the season.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Very enjoyable game. To the untrained eye, Oxford looked for all the World the better team and went in at HT 1-0 ahead. It really should have been more. Ex-Wolf James Henry still looks a real class act at this level. 2nd half the Dons came out with far more attacking vigour. Once they deservedly levelled the rather subdued atmosphere in the stands really picked-up and confidence amongst the young home team visibly rallied. After several good chances at either end, Dons finished the stronger to win an enthralling game 3-1.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

The crowd can dissipate quickly due to the multitude of public transport connections in the vicinity. Away fans were kept on a tight leash by the Police post-match albeit can't imagine there will be any significant issues with trouble at this family-friendly ground. Rather than waiting for the single-decker 493 we walked up Plough Lane to the site of the original stadium and caught a 156 for the 10 mins journey back to Wimbledon town centre.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

New ground tick and an excellent game for the neutral. Plough Lane will prove to be a popular awayday. Public transport links are good (albeit the closest station Haydons Rd is only served by the notoriously inept 'Thameslink' service) and there are plenty of pub options either in Wimbledon, Tooting or further afield. The club/police are encouraging away fans to use Earlsfield station and pubs but with a bit of foresight you should be able to find plenty better than the limited options offered there.
Avatar of Eddie Allcorn Eddie Allcorn
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon 1 Gillingham 1
CompetitionLeague One
Date17/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

To tick off the ground towards my completing the "92" and to watch my team away from home...

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

We travelled down by train and got off at Earlsfield (one stop from Clapham Junction, high frequency of trains). Then a 16 minute walk down to the away turnstiles. The away entrance is hidden away but signposted.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

The Wandle opposite Earlsfield was the designated "away pub", some closer pubs were "home only". We opted for the quieter Pig & Whistle.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

The stadium is a bit odd, the three smaller single tier sides have a slightly temporary feel (they can expand). The Main Stand is far more substantial. Most notable is the huge blank wall behind the home end and all the new flats opposite the Main Stand.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The away end facilities had a temporary feel to them, portakabin toilets etc. I didn't bother with the huge queue for beer. The stewards were relaxed, but then taken a bit by surprise when it got a bit lively at the end with two late goals. Atmosphere was excellent in an almost sold out stadium (official figure not given, but approx 8,750 with 850 Gills).

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Exiting was easy, and simple walk back to Earlsfield.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Gills fans loved the 90+7 deflected own goal to make it 1-1 and steal a point! Bravo to AFC for finally coming home so close to the old Plough Lane. Amazing what fans can achieve together. The ground doesn't feel quite finished but still a fine new home for the Wombles.
Avatar of Phil Styan Phil Styan
Game AttendedWimbledon v Bolton
CompetitionLeague 1
Date14/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Being the new stadium we were really looking forward to the game as we know what it’s like moving into a new ground. Also Wimbledon is pretty much a home game for me being a London based Bolton fan! It was also our first game meeting up as mates since we went to the same fixture at Kingsmeadow in March 2020.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

It was really easy to find the ground having got the train to Earlsfield, just one stop from Clapham Junction. There were signs from the main road for away fans making it really easy to find the away end entrance.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Knowing the area I’d booked a table at a pub called The Leather Bottle a week or so earlier, but on arriving it was identified as a home fans pub only. We still got in as the security guy was only interested in us having tickets, obviously he didn’t follow football as the white Bolton shirt just wasnt a big enough give away. Anyway, our luck didn’t hold and halfway through drinking our first pint we were asked to leave. Apparently they can’t advertise that it’s home fans only, so the website is useless. Anyway, we ended up at another Young’s pub, The Halfway House right next to Earlsfield station. Service was decent whilst it wasn’t busy, but as soon as it was full with fans it took our friends nearly 30 minutes to get served. Hopefully this is just teething trouble and things will improve.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Decent new ground with a compact away stand, and an impressive main stand. Should suit Wimbledon well as they should fill it most games at this level.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Great game for the neutral, but not if you’re a Bolton fan as we threw away a 3-1 lead! Atmosphere was pretty good as you’d expect for their return home after such a long absence, and a sell out away following who’ve got big ambitions following promotion last year!

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Was absolutely fine, walked back to the station but decided to have a pint before catching the train.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Pretty good away experience. Hope we both stay in the division so I can go again next season!
Avatar of Chris Chris
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Bolton Wanderers
CompetitionEFL League One
Date14/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

This was to be the first away game since the pandemic, and the first ever league match at the new Wimbledon stadium. Nice and easy to get to on the train and a lovely sunny day.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Those who went in the car/coach found it an awful journey. Train for me was easy. Just a few stops on the trainline from Vauxhall Underground station to Earlsfield Station. Was about 20 minutes walk from there, very easy to find.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

There were 2 away pubs allocated right next to Earlsfield Station. The 'Earlsfield' looked very nice, had the football on the telly, but had no real ale, so went next door to the Halfway House which had a selection of Young's beers. They also did rather nice food (burgers etc). Ended up being very busy with away fans so took a while to get served. They also do not take cash - card only.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

You can't see the stadium until you get right up to it due to being surrounded by flats and a random power sub-station. Once past the turnstile, the away end was rather disappointing. The food/drink bars and toilets are portacabins and the stand is more like a temporary structure with metal rather than concrete for the flooring. Seats were fairly spacious. 2 of the other stands look identical with the only decent stand being the main stand which has 2 tiers of exec boxes.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The game was a really open ended affair. After going a goal down, we equalised immediately before moving into a 3-1 lead. Sadly, we fell asleep and conceded 2 goals in a minute and ended up drawing 3-3 in a game we should have won. Atmosphere was good, mainly from the 1400 away fans. Home fans rarely sang. Stewards tried to keep fans in their seats, but a lot congregated at the bottom of the stand next to the pitch. I can see many mini pitch invasions happening as it was very easy to get access to the pitch.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Very easy to get away. 20 minute walk up the main road back to the station.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Very friendly bunch of fans. Decent set up with away pubs organised etc. A nice little stadium - great to see AFC back in their own permanent stadium.
Avatar of David Blackburn David Blackburn
Game AttendedWimbledon return to Plough Lane
CompetitionLeague
Date14/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Been to the old ground following Bolton, was looking forward to seeing the new one.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Not the easiest place to get to. Went by car and took nearly 5 hours. Followed Sat Nav, so found it no problem, but didn't see any signs for it. Managed to park in a residential area, pay for 4 hours, cost £11.20, but 4 in the car so £3 each. The website does advise not good for parking and use train, bus, etc were possible.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Parked up and went straight in to the ground. Staff very friendly in the bar/food part, very helpful. You could tell it was the first proper game, a few teething problems which no doubt will be sorted. In one corner of the ground,there a bit of atmosphere between the 2 sets of fans but seemed to pass peacefully. Got back to car no problem after the game and got away easy enough.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

It is hidden away and still being completed round the outside of it. The seating is set back so a walk way in front, so if you have a corner seat, can't see down the line as the home fans seats are a lot further forward. Close and compact stadium with plenty of atmosphere. Welcome back to Plough Lane.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

3-3 draw. Bolton should have won after taking a 3-1 lead, but where them lucky to hold on to a point. End to end game. Good atmosphere, emotions running high as healthy support from Bolton. Nice compact stadium. Stewards were friendly, but as first game were running around all over the place sorting things out. They will get it sorted. Beer was reasonably priced, normal food that you would expect although didn't have any. Loos were portacabins. Good luck if it rains, as the so called concourse is open, no cover, you will be open to the elements, we were lucky as it was shirt sleeved weather.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

A bit of a walk back to the car, but no problem really. A bit of traffic but that is to be expected. Not the best place for motorway as you have a good drive before you get to the M25, M40, M1, etc

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Glad I went and good luck to Wimbledon. Despite the teething problems, they will get it right. I would go again.
Avatar of Ian Howitt Ian Howitt
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon v Bolton Wanderers
CompetitionLeague 1
Date14/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Not only another ground to tick in my quest to (re) complete the 92 but a lot of intrigue as I had visited the original Plough Lane ground and the Greyhound stadium, the site of which the new ground sits. In addition, the AFC Wimbledon story I find remarkable.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

I went by train from Waterloo with the intention of changing at Wimbledon for the local service to Hayden’s Road. However disruption on the local line meant I walked from Wimbledon station which is about 25 minutes. I had loads of time, it was a nice day so I walked as opposed to cab or the 200 bus. The journey home had no such issues as Hayden’s Road, which is a ten minute walk away was up and running.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

I had a look at the area of the old ground which is now flats and includes a plinth commemorating the venue then had a wander round the outside of the new ground before entering the stadium about 50 minutes before kick off. The atmosphere around was superb as it was the first competitive game at the ground with a crowd.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Really good.I sat in the main stand near to the centre and my view was excellent. There are numerous food concessions and toilets in the concourse which are well sized and there was plenty of legroom in the seats.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Game was superb with Dons coming back from 1-3 down to grab a point. Very end to end and great atmosphere created by fans of both teams in a sell out crowd.

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

No problems. Walk up Plough Lane and turn left in Hayden’s Road and the train was ten minutes away. Got home in decent time.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Really good day out and thoroughly enjoyed it. The ground is slap bang in Wimbledon territory and it is good to see the club back in that vicinity. Only two quibbles really, the prices are not cheap (£32 for League 1) and the concourses could do with some yellow and blue or some pictures to cover the breeze blocks, but these are minor.
Avatar of Baz gore Baz gore
Game AttendedMk dons v.s Bolton
CompetitionSky Bet league one
Date14/08/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

Went Too see The New ground yes I enjoyed it

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Parked up ten mins away from ground

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Add chips Cheese burger and egg

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

We Add 317 people

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

Add two pies at half time stuwards was good

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Took nine hrs too get bk to Bolton dropped Tony Davidson off at weather spoons bk in bolton

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Two out of ten
Avatar of Sam Jones Sam Jones
Game AttendedAFC Wimbledon vs Scunthorpe United
CompetitionPre Season Friendly
Date31/07/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

As my team’s game was called off I found myself with a free Saturday. I thought it was a good opportunity to tick off a new ground. AFC Wimbledon's story, including the hard work it has taken to get this stadium built, has been well documented in the media and I was interested to see it in person.

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

The ground is easily accessible by train with Haydon’s Road a short walk away. However it is not obvious to spot as it’s surrounded by blocks of flats! Look for a Shell petrol station & Topps Tiles halfway down Plough Lane. The main entrance is there.

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

There was a very positive mood around the ground. The fans have not had the opportunity to watch their team for a long time due to COVID 19 and in Wimbledon’s case it was extra special as this was their long awaited return to Plough Lane.

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Entry to the stadium was free as this was a test event for the West Stand, which was at full capacity with the other stands empty. The outside of the ground still resembles a building site, understandable in the circumstances, however the ground itself is impressive with excellent facilities for the level. This stand dominates the ground with spacious concourses, hospitality & disabled seating and has excellent views of the pitch wherever you sit. The other 3 stands are smaller with blocks of flats behind them overlooking the stadium. I also noticed rail seating in the entire south stand however this was not open for the game.

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

As this was a test event I was given a free pint with my ticket which was an unexpected treat! There was a good selection of food on offer but I did not have anything to eat. The game itself started off well for the hosts who were awarded a penalty within 3 mins, however the away side drew level with a heavily deflected shot against the run of play, before converting a penalty of their own shortly after. Wimbledon had the better chances in the 2nd half but were unable to breach a well organised Scunthorpe defence and the game ended 1-2.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

I was very impressed with the new Plough Lane and will look to visit again at some point when the ground is fully open. It's great to see the Dons finally back home.
Avatar of Tony Davidson Tony Davidson
Game AttendedDons v.s Bolton
CompetitionSky Bet leauge 1
Date08/03/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

First time to this ground

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Parked near the stadium got pie and chips

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Went to the pub drunk 13 dark fruits

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

Yes it was a nice ground

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

The coated was not good

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Took 30 minutes to get out after the match took 6 hours to get back home my name is Tony Davidson from Manchester.

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Day out was OK going back in Bolton Town Centre when I get back home
Avatar of Tony davidson Tony davidson
Game AttendedDons v.s Bolton
CompetitionSky Bet leauge one
Date19/05/2021

Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?

I was sitting down

How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?

Took nine hours to get there

What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?

Yes got burger and a can

What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?

It was a good ground

Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..

It was raining grind was ok

Comment on getting away from the ground after the game

Yes took four hours to get out

Summary of overall thoughts of the day out

Ok good day out