The AFC Wimbledon Academy
Our ambition is to become one of the top academies in the country.
At the AFC Wimbledon Academy, we see the game as a powerful journey - one of growth, determination, and personal achievement.
Our Academy has supported young players in reaching their potential both on and off the pitch.
Whether they’ve progressed through our pathway or gone on to succeed beyond the club, each individual’s journey reflects the strength of our values and the depth of our commitment.
Academy History
The AFC Wimbledon youth set up was founded in 2003, a year after the club was re-founded, with Nigel Higgs assuming responsibility of establishing the set up as Youth and Community Director.
Between 2003 and 2011 the youth set up operated at grassroots level, winning multiple honours along the way - the most significant coming in 2010, when the Under-13s age group won the Tesco Cup, having triumphed through the County and Regional rounds of the competition, beating Lytham St Annes YMCA 2–0 in the final.
In 2011 when the club were promoted to the Football League, the academy were promoted to professional status initially operating as a centre of excellence, before being granted category three status, under the new Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) system for youth development.
Since then the Academy has established itself as one of the most productive in the country.
Homegrown and Hungry
The numbers of becoming a professional footballer are very low, here at the academy we can’t promise a career as a footballer - but we promise opportunity.
Every player who walks through our doors is given the chance to grow, to learn, and to pursue their dreams.
But talent alone isn't enough. It's about resilience, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.
We invest in character as much as we invest in skill. Because in football, as in life, it's not just about how you start—it's about how you finish.
Michael Hamilton - Academy Manager
Academy Values
Self-Managing: Working towards taking full responsibility for one’s development
Attachment: Bond with the club with its past, future and purpose.
Memories: Creating lifelong experiences.
Hardworking: We refuse to be outworked on and off the pitch.
The Wimbledon Way
With the ball: we build and create with variation and unpredictability.
In transitions: with energy and intelligence.
Without the ball: we do one thing - win the ball back as quickly as possible.
Honours and Milestones
National honours:
2019/20: EFL Youth Alliance Cup Winners – Under 18s
2021/22: EFL Youth Alliance South East League Champions – Under 18s
2023/24: EFL Youth Alliance South East League Champions – Under 17s
2023/24: EFL U17 Floodlit Cup Winners – Under 17s
2024/25: Premier League National Champions – Under 12s
Milestones:
2011/12: Brendan Kiernan becomes the first ever youth player to make his debut from the academy for AFC Wimbledon
2015/16: Fourth round FA Youth Cup 2-1 victory v Newcastle United
2018: Academy Scholar Anthony Hartigan won the League Two EFL Apprentice of the Year
2021/22: Ranked as the most productive Category 3 Academy in the country
2023/24: Justin Clarke becomes the clubs youngest ever debutant at the age of 15
Academy Management
Academy Manager Michael Hamilton
Academy Administrator Deji Olorukoba-Oseni
Academy Head of Coach Development Scott Harrison
Under 18s Head Coach Simon Clark
Youth Phase Manager (13 – 16s) Ben Ewing
Foundation Phase Manager (9 – 12s) Shade Ashour
Individual Development Coach Jon Nurse
Player Care Manager Craig Watkins
Designated Safeguarding Officer Kate Shelley
Academy Lead Physiotherapist Sam Eyarhono
Under 18 Physical Performance Ronan Gaye
Academy Physical Performance Lead Theo Treadaway-Hoyte
Head of Academy Talent ID Ben Fosuhene
Head of Education Antonio Falzarano
Current Under-18s Squad
Goalkeepers:
Charles Fletcher
Eterne Djedje
Defenders:
Joshua Brian
Matija Jovanovic
Sam Goma-Weinberg
Aston Gayle
Tom Carvalho-Norris
Oro Shaun Soukou
Midfielders:
Finlay Fraser Smith
Dwayne Blake Campbell
Amaari Sealey
Joe Kirby
Attackers:
Robin Ashamu
Kiayon Moore
Preston Kedwell
Alfie Quinn
Finley Woods
Harry Hedges
