Johnnie: We’ve identified targets

Manager looks ahead to Grimsby as we aim to extend unbeaten league run

2 December 2022

Johnnie Jackson’s resources are set for a boost, as we head into a key time in the calendar.

While the immediate focus is on extending an unbeaten run in League Two to seven games, with mid-table Grimsby Town the visitors to Plough Lane for a 12.30 kick-off on Saturday, the manager has players on the way back from injury and an eye on the January transfer window.

“We’ve identified targets that we’d like,” said Johnnie. “We feel like we’ve got a good handle on the market.

“There are areas where we feel we can strengthen, then it’s down to if it works for us financially and if we can make that happen. Then we’ll look at any business we can do. We have on-going discussions with Head of Recruitment Jamie Johnson as always and it’s good to have him in the building and around us.

“We’re in constant contact and he comes in once a week. I’m in regular contact with Jamie and he’s out watching games and so too am I and my staff when it fits in with our schedule.”

There are no fresh concerns, after last weekend’s disappointing exit at home to Chesterfield in the FA Cup. With defender Chris Gunter due to return at some point from World Cup duty with Wales, Johnnie should also have more members of the current squad returning in the coming weeks with the Christmas and New Year schedule coming into view.

“It’s been a slow burner with Nathan Young-Coombes,” said Johnnie of the on-loan striker. “He had a slight setback with his rehab. Brentford sent him back a little later than we first anticipated, through no fault of anyone’s. The knee injury stayed with him a little bit longer than we’d hoped, we know it was a bad injury.

“It’s great to see him back out on the training pitch doing some running. We need to build him up now carefully, but we’re really hopeful that before too long we’re able to integrate him back into the main sessions and get him some minutes back out on the pitch.”

“Will Nightingale did some light running for the first time on Thursday. It’s wonderful for him after another bad injury. He was just finding some really good form, before he sustained the knee injury really early on in the game up at Bradford in September.

“He played on and performed brilliantly, but then we found out afterwards the extent of the injury. It’s going to take a while to get him to where he was, but I’m really pleased that he seems to be on the road back.

“Paul Osew and Lee Brown are closer to returning. Paul has had some setbacks with his ankle, while Browny is a little more straightforward with his hamstring. He’s made the right steps with his rehab and they are both getting much closer to a return.”

Photos: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).

You can see the full preview and update from the training ground with Johnnie below, via the link to our official You Tube channel.

Match Reports

Below-par Dons exit cup

A second round loss

26 November 2022

AFC Wimbledon were eliminated from the FA Cup after a 2-0 loss to Chesterfield which left a bitter taste in the mouth.

Our side were a yard off the pace for much of the game and were made to pay for it as the National League promotion contenders struck either side of half-time through Armando Dobra and Jeff King.

We didn’t match the physicality of the Spireites and it was a performance far removed from what we’ve come to expect during the past 10 games.

There is now added importance placed on our next match as we bid to make sure this is more of a disappointing blip than anything else.

Johnnie Jackson made 10 changes to the side which defeated Sutton United in the Papa John’s Trophy as the likes of Nik Tzanev, Alex Woodyard and Harry Pell were restored to the starting eleven. Meanwhile Huseyin Biler dropped to the bench as Isaac Ogundere came in at right-back.

Tzanev was tested early on by a confident Chesterfield side as he dived down low to his left to keep out Quigley’s header. We then had our first opening of the 90 minutes as Ethan Chislett saw his shot hacked clear off the line after he rounded Spireites goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimmons.

Dobra then gave the visitors the lead against the run of play as he fired home from inside the penalty area after we were caught in transition.

Moving into the second-half and it was the early introduction of Biler that added some extra freshness on the right-hand side. The pacey full-back knocked in a brilliant ball that Pell could only strike over the bar from close range.

Disaster then struck for the Dons as a cross from King caught Tzanev out of position 15 minutes from time.

This all but ended the tie as a contest as we now look to pick ourselves up for our next League Two game against Grimsby Town.

AFC Wimbledon: Nik Tzanev, Alex Woodyard, Harry Pell, Josh Davison, Ayoub Assal, Ethan Chislett (Courtney Senior), Ryley Towler, Paris Maghoma (Alfie Bendle), Jack Currie, Paul Kalambayi, Isaac Ogundere (Huseyin Biler)

PICS: Simon Traylen (Pro Sports Images)

Match Reports

Ticket News

Matchday Guide: 8,000-plus expected for big lunchtime clash

All you need to know ahead of Saturday's game

2 December 2022

There’s been high demand to watch Wimbledon’s return to league action on Saturday – and there’s plenty of incentive to make a day of it with the Dons!

We’ll be opening the turnstiles from 11 am - offering access to our fantastic food park and our By The Horns Phoenix Pub – plus you can catch every kick of the Netherlands versus USA game (3 pm kick-off) afterwards.

Below is a summary of match arrangements for tomorrow’s game, which kicks off at 12.30 pm.

Tickets

We’ve had encouraging ticket sales to watch the Dons take on the Mariners, but there’s still time for you to be a part of what’s shaping up to be an exciting day at our fantastic stadium.

Buy now from our online ticket shop.

Don’t forget that tickets are £2 cheaper for adults and concessions, if purchased in advance. However, you can still buy on the day from the Ry Stand ticket booth (close to gate six).

Man of the Match presentation

We’ll be hosting our traditional post-match presentation for all supporters back in its usual location – next to the Phoenix Pub by the South London Movers Stand. However, the player selected as our Man of the Match will also be taken up to the Silver Lounge afterwards to meet fans up in hospitality and to do an interview.

Our By The Horns Phoenix Pub will be open straight after the game with fans welcome to watch the World Cup last-16 match between Netherlands and USA (3 pm kick-off).

Due to strong hospitality sales, we have limited space for fans to watch this game in the Sliver Lounge, so numbers allowed in will depend upon the amount of supporters that decide to stay on after hospitality.

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Food & Drink at our stadium

Situated behind the South London Movers Stand, you can choose from a wide range of culinary delights, as provided by several different cuisines from local businesses, including the following:

MyPie
Traditional Jerk Chicken
All Burgers
Ding Ding
Dough Shack

The food trucks will stop serving at 6:00pm with last drink orders on the Movers Stand bar at the same time.

For supporters in the Cappagh Stand, you can get your matchday pint in extra quick time by accessing our new EBAR machines, which we are using on a trial basis. Fans can buy pints of Lager, Camden Pale Ale and Guinness from the EBAR.

Don’t forget though that we’ve also still got SwipeStation! Supporters can get a swift pint of Camden Pale Ale or Stella Artois from designated stations around the ground, including behind the Ry (East) Stand.

For more information, download the SwipeStation User Guide .

Train timetable alterations

Please note that there are alterations to train timetables today with some journeys requiring a change, rather than direct to Earlsfield. Check before travelling by visiting nationalrail.co.uk .

Club Shop

There's plenty of opportunity to get your Dons Christmas presents tomorrow!

Opening hours are from 9am until 12.25 pm, at half-time, and then from 2.30-3.30 pm. Amongst the new arrivals in the club shop is an item that's well worth including on your Christmas shopping list - our official calendar for 2023!

New Christmas card designs are also available, plus new leisurewear items, so make sure you pop-in tomorrow.

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Programme

Make sure you get your hands on our fantastic matchday programme! It includes an extensive interview with our new Managing Director Danny Macklin, plus plenty of your traditional favourites including another historical feature by Stephen Crabtree. There’s also an update from AFC Wimbledon Chair Mick Buckley, plus a Q&A with our England Under-16 goalkeeper Spike Brits, and report from the FA Cup victory for our women.

The programme (usual price of £3) will be on sale from outside the club shop, behind the South London Movers Stand, from the Cappagh (West) Stand and at the away end.

Golden Goals

Tickets will be on sale at the game tomorrow (priced at £1) with the top prize of £100 (all funds raised are donated to the Club), so look out for our Golden Goal sellers on Saturday.

Christmas Toy Collection Appeal

Please answer our Christmas call to bring a smile to the faces of young children at St George's Hospital during the festive period.

Our Foundation are launching the Christmas Toy Collection Appeal with supporters invited to donate new toys to the Club during the week and at our game tomorrow.

Supporters can drop off items at our club reception or at the Foundation's Family Zone gazebo (behind the Ry Stand) before this game. Alternatively, you can deliver them to us on week days (9am until 5pm) at reception (until Friday 9 December).

Toys or gifts should be brand new only and in their original packing and be appropriate for the ages 2–14 and in the £5-£10 price range. (please note that we are unable to accept second hand toys or those not in packaging).

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White Ribbon UK

White ribbons and stickers will be worn by staff at tomorrow's game to raise awareness of a campaign that aims to end male violence against women. This is a campaign that's supported by Merton Council, focusing on the need to engage with men and boys. For more information, access the White Ribbon UK website.

Lifts

There is currently only one lift in reception that's working, so please use the stairs if you possibly can. We would appreciate your patience until all the lifts are operational. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Kids Zone

This will be open on Saturday. Fans will be able to meet Haydon, our favourite Womble, and there’s also plenty of fun activities for children to get involved with. The Kids Zone is positioned on the concourse behind the Family Section on the corner of the East and South stands. Specifically for kids aged between 5-12, it is open from 1.30pm to 2.45pm with activities organised on a rotation basis. Please note that children MUST be supervised by parents at all times.

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Dons TV

Get in the mood for the big game by joining our 9yrs Podcast team pre-match on Saturday. There will also be a post-match show, starting around 15-20 minutes after the game.

Follow the club's official Facebook and YouTube channels and you will receive a notification about the show.

Dons Trust Board Elections

Members of the Election Steering Group will be at the Dons Trust Kiosk until approximately 12.15 pm before the game to take final paper ballots for the upcoming Dons Trust Board elections.

The deadline for requesting electronic replacements has now passed, but paper replacements for any mislaid ballots can be passed at the kiosk. Following the game, there will still be time to cast your vote as the paper ballot closes at 2.45pm. The electronic ballot will close at 11.59pm on Saturday night. The ESG will be meeting on Sunday morning to do the count and it is hoped that an announcement of the result will be made later in the day.

Dons Local Action Group Food Collection Point

We will once again be organising collection points on Saturday with supporters invited to donate food to those less fortunate in the community. Masterminded by our award-winning Dons Local Action Group (DLAG), fans will be able to drop off tinned supplies - with an urgent need for tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fish, tinned fruit, and tinned pulses. Food collection points will be located at every entrance into the stadium.

Access to the stadium

Turnstiles for home fans open at 11 am for home and away supporters. For fans who have purchased matchday hospitality, please enter the stadium via Gate 1, which will open at 10 am.

All home fans will enter via the Plough Lane end of the Stadium only. Please note that fans in the South London Movers Stand or Ry Stand can only enter via Gates 3, 4 and 5. Fans seated in the Cappagh Stand can only enter via Gate 2. Please note that only the left hand side turnstile is working at gate three, but we will have a steward with a handheld scanner, depending upon the queues.

Away fans can only access the Stadium via Gate 7, which can be accessed via St Martin’s Way or Maskell Road.

Reusable Cups

We have a reusable beer cup scheme to replace all single use plastic pint cups around the stadium. Once you’ve finished your beer, please dispose of your cup within the reusable cup bins located around the stadium.

For a map of the stadium, and other information, including details about bringing bags into the ground and our cycle store facility, see our Matchday Guide section on the official website.