Join us on Saturday for the FIRST look at a commemorative statue that celebrates Wimbledon’s remarkable rise from non league to FA Cup winners.
A wood-carved sculpture will be unveiled of Roy Law and Dave Beasant – the two captains that led the Dons to Wembley glory in 1963 and 1988 – as part of a schedule of events for ‘Wombles Day’ at the stadium.
John Lynch, Managing Director at WiSH, said: “The sculpture will show two cup-winning Wimbledon captains back-to-back and it will be made with fallen and replanted oak to fit in with our sustainability philosophy. It will be unique to have a wood-carved structure outside a football ground of two club legends. It’s another big reason for fans to come along on Saturday.”
Of course, Roy Law captained Wimbledon to FA Amateur Cup glory back in 1963 – a 4-2 win versus Sutton United in a Wembley thriller – and 25 years later Dave Beasant hoisted the FA Cup above his shoulders after Liverpool were surprisingly humbled by the Dons.
We are delighted to announce that Dave Beasant will be joining us for the unveiling of the football sculpture. Thanks to help from Galliard Homes, the sculpture will be accommodated on the stadium concourse, so it will be proudly on display as you make your way up the steps to the Cappagh (West) Stand turnstiles.
We will also be joined by Ian Cooke, Jeff Bryant and Billy Edwards – players from the Wimbledon era in the 1970s when The Wombles series was shown on national TV.
But that’s certainly not all folks!
A Wombles sculpture called the Orinoco Womble Bench will be unveiled on Saturday – close to the gate three entrance at the stadium. It will also be made of wood to fit in with the Wombles mantra of re-use and recycle.
The Wombles animation, based on a novel by the late Elisabeth Beresford, gained national popularity when it was broadcast on TV during the 1970s. It was based on members of her family, represented by their alter-egos of Orinoco, Bungo, and Aldernay. Members of the Beresford family will be joining us to unveil the sculpture.
There will be a serious edge to the fun event too as organisers WiSH (Wimbledon in Sporting History), with the help of Dons Local Action Group, have arranged a community litter pick and recycling initiative – recapturing that famous Womble spirit!
“Wombles Day” runs from 9am until 6 pm at the stadium with AFC Wimbledon Foundation also hosting activities on the day. The schedule includes the following:
- Live music and the launch of the Wombles from the Lane CD
- Stadium Tours including access to the Greatest Story exhibition
- ‘Meet the Wombles’ – Uncle Bulgaria, Madame Cholet and Haydon the Womble
- Special commemorative T-shirts presented to children
- Prizes, raffles, games and giveaways
- Food stalls and drinks