Club Profile
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Overview
Wimbledon Football Club was an English football club based in Wimbledon, southwest London. Established in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Centrals, the club spent the majority of its early history in non-League football. Nicknamed "the Dons" and occasionally referred to as "the Wombles," Wimbledon rose from obscurity to top-flight football in the 1980s, achieving one of the most remarkable progressions in English football history.
History
The club was founded in 1889, initially named after the Old Central School attended by its first players. Wimbledon won early local leagues by 1896 and underwent a brief period of dissolution in 1910 due to financial difficulties, before restarting as Wimbledon Borough. By 1912, the team settled at Plough Lane. Joining the Athenian League in 1919, Wimbledon progressed to the Isthmian League, winning multiple titles throughout the 1930s and 1960s, alongside an FA Amateur Cup victory in 1963, famously with Eddie Reynolds scoring all four goals in the final by headers.
Turning professional in 1964, the club joined the Southern League, capturing three consecutive championships in the mid-1970s. Elected to the Football League in 1977, Wimbledon rapidly climbed the divisions, achieving First Division football by 1986 under the management of Dave Bassett and later Bobby Gould. The club’s most celebrated achievement came in 1988 when the "Crazy Gang" won the FA Cup, defeating Liverpool 1–0 in a major upset.
Following the Taylor Report on stadium safety, Wimbledon left Plough Lane in 1991 to ground-share at Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace. Despite struggles in later Premier League seasons and managerial changes, the club remained in the top flight until relegation in 2000. Controversially, in 2002–03, the club relocated 46 miles north to Milton Keynes, ultimately rebranding as Milton Keynes Dons F.C., prompting most fans to establish AFC Wimbledon in response.
Competition Performance
Wimbledon's competitive history is notable for its rapid ascent from non-League football to the First Division. Key non-League successes included eight Isthmian League titles, three Southern League championships in consecutive seasons, and the 1963 FA Amateur Cup. Upon entering the Football League, Wimbledon won the Fourth Division in 1982–83 and earned promotion to the Second Division the following season. By 1986, the club had reached the First Division, finishing as high as sixth in 1986–87 and seventh in 1990–91. The pinnacle came with the 1988 FA Cup victory over Liverpool. Premier League seasons included top-half finishes, most notably sixth place in 1993–94 and ninth in 1994–95. The club’s final top-flight campaign ended in relegation in 2000.
Stadium
Wimbledon originally played on Wimbledon Common, later moving to Plough Lane in 1912, where they remained until 1991. Plough Lane saw multiple expansions and improvements, but ultimately could not be redeveloped to comply with all-seater regulations mandated by the Taylor Report. From 1991, the club ground-shared at Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace, a temporary arrangement that extended for over a decade. Following the relocation to Milton Keynes in 2003, the club briefly played at the National Hockey Stadium before settling into Milton Keynes Dons’ facilities.
Identity
Wimbledon were primarily known as "the Dons," with "the Wombles" emerging in the media in the 1970s. The term "Crazy Gang" became synonymous with the club following their 1988 FA Cup win. Club colours evolved from navy and white to a combination of blue and yellow, with all-blue kits featuring yellow markings becoming standard from 1981 onwards. The club crest initially used the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon emblem, later replaced by a stylised eagle head in 2003 after relocation. A Womble mascot named "Wandle" represented the club from 2000 until the move, when licensing was withdrawn in protest. Ownership and management, particularly under Sam Hammam, contributed to the club’s unique character during its peak years.
Rivalries
Wimbledon’s main rivals were other London-based clubs, notably Crystal Palace, with whom they shared Selhurst Park. Encounters with other local sides such as Charlton Athletic and Millwall were also considered competitive, though less intense. Following the relocation and formation of AFC Wimbledon, the original fanbase’s allegiance shifted, creating a unique rivalry between AFC Wimbledon and Milton Keynes Dons.