As many of you will already know, our Head Coach, Mark Robinson, last night vowed to refund every loyal fan who travelled to Bolton and witnessed yesterday’s 4-0 defeat.
Having now slept on the result, Robbo still remains determined to honour that pledge. The club is proud to back this selfless gesture which the 18 players and nine backroom staff will fund from their own pockets.
The following is an explanation of why the first team squad wants to do this - and how fans can apply to have the cost of their match tickets refunded.
Over 300 supporters made the gruelling 480-mile round trip to the University of Bolton Stadium, braving atrocious conditions in the wake of Storm Eunice.
Robbo was understandably furious with the result, which he ranked as our worst since losing at Oxford - when we returned from a three week enforced break after games were cancelled.
"In every game we have lost this season I have seen a Wimbledon side in the making,” he said.
“That was not the case yesterday and that's why we are doing this. I am not setting a precedent but I am setting standards.
“Our fans had plenty of excuses with the weather this weekend not to travel. However, they travelled because they believe in what we are trying to build and, despite a performance that did not back up that belief, they still clapped us off.
“When a player wears an AFC Wimbledon shirt there are ‘givens’. I am not saying the lads did not care - I know they care - but no matter how disappointed they might be feeling, or low in confidence, the bare minimum they have is those ‘givens’.
“It's not about apologising for a defeat, it's about acknowledging we fell well below what is to be expected of a Wimbledon employee and on this occasion doing the right thing.”
Robbo made his feelings known immediately after the game in a video interview with our broadcast journalist Rob Cornell.
That triggered an immediate social media reaction, with many supporters insisting they wouldn’t accept a refund because defeats are part and parcel of being a football fan.
While Robbo applauded such a loyal stance, he still insisted: “If fans do not want their money back then I totally respect their choice.
“However, that won’t stop us doing the right thing. If fans turn down their refund, then the money will go to the Dons Local Action Group (DLAG) instead, to help their relentless fight against food poverty.”
Speaking after the game yesterday, our defender Ben Heneghan said: “We showed no character, battle, or fight. It was unacceptable and I’m embarrassed. I deeply apologise to the fans and we will refund them. We will make sure it gets sorted because that performance cannot happen as a football player.”
If you were one of yesterday’s travelling fans then please claim your refund by emailing us at: tickets@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk .
You will need to include your supporters’ order number and must contact us no later than 5 pm on Friday, 25 February.