Kit launch countdown continues
AFC Wimbledon’s new Admiral kits will be launched on Sunday, June 29, and we continue the countdown with a number that was important for our current manager in his playing days.
Ray Armfield recalls the significance of number 26 for a young Neal Ardley striving to build on a promising start to his playing career.
26 – Neal Ardley
Season 1993/94 saw the top-flight renamed the FA Carling Premiership and with it came the introduction of American style squad numbers and names on the back of players’ shirts. A youthful winger called Neal Ardley (whatever became of him?!) is allocated 26 and wears this for two seasons before ‘moving up’ to number 18 in 1995/96. By the start of the 1998/99 campaign, Neal had acquired the 12 jersey, vacated by Chris Perry following his £4 million move to Tottenham Hotspur. For the last two recognisable seasons of Wimbledon FC, Neal finally made it into the ‘first XI’ after taking over Carl Cort’s number seven shirt in 2000.
.Your AFC WimbledonIn association with Admiral Sportswear Limited, supporters will be able to see the club’s new home, away and third kits, along with training wear, for the first time, on 29 June, at Centre Court Shoping Centre. To view our previous announcement about this, click on