To my shame I haven't been to a game this season (I live less than 2 miles away) but did make the Surrey Cup Final in May which was a great game, winning in overtime. But from what my friends who go semi-regularly you're right about this season. This is more of regrouping season, a top half finish will be acceptable and then start another scaling of divisions next year.
It'd be great if some of you AFC fans could talk to the Earthquakes fans. Their story is very similar to yours and your experiences may help them have a team to support next year.
^ Yes, MLS franchise in Northern California, that was moved to Houston, Texas last week. Of the 10 MLS Cups, San Jose had won two, in 2001 and 2003.
Oh right, Donovan's team, now I remember. That is big news. So the San Jose faithful want to start their own grass roots team? Well I do have a contact in the AFC Wimbledon front office who could probably pull a few strings if they were really serious about it. Did you hear about the Manchester United break away club last season? They got fed up with all the commericalisation of MUFC and started their own club. They contacted AFC Wimbeldon for advice and played their first game against us.
Well, you need fans willing to take up their free time for a new founded club. aAs long as we don't have that we can support them from Europe as much as we want :-/. So C'mon you guys in San Jose, regain your game.
Sadly, that's another thing that went wrong for them last year. At the end of MLS 2004 season Landon joined Bayer Leverkeusen. For one reason or another things didn't work out in Germany, he was only there a couple of months so it sounds like either he or the club didn't give the move chance to work. Anyway, he was back in MLS at the start of this last season for non other than, L.A. Galaxy, The Quakes keenest rivals, to rub salt into the wound The Gals won MLS Cup this season after the Quakes 'and most other teams' were light years better all season.
Down you go MK Dons! Last place in the 1st Division and hopefully they stay there! You slipped through the cracks and now your on you'll be Bantha poo-doo in a few years. Maybe someone can steel the Dons back and give it to whom it belongs!
Are there any plans for Wimbledon to move stadium or rebuild the old Kingstonian ground once Wimbledon do reach the dizzy heights of Championship football again? Do you think Wimbledon will ever have another football team (ie will AFC Wimbledon ever move back to Wimbledon) or will forever more play outside the borough?
Now that's where things get tricky. Building work isn't cheap, and can have serious implications on team-building. And also if they choose to move nearer Wimbledon, unless they finance the move by means other than selling the ground, they face the prospect of killing another club to achieve their dream, which is none too charitable.
Depends on how fast MK Dons move in the other direction. AFC is currently in the Ryman Premier League. If they were promoted this season (unlikely), they would move into the Conference (South) Division. If they were promoted from there, they would move into Nationwide Conference. The next level is League 2 (fourth division). MK Dons are currently in League 1 (third division).
In theory, the season after next. AFC are in the Ryman Premier which is level seven of the pyramid, The Dons are in League One ie. level three. So next season it could be level six v. level four, therefore, the season after, both level five or Nationwide Conference. It's all in the link. http://www.thepyramid.info/pyramid/Pyramid2.htm
Yes, pretty much. They tried every conceivable avenue to play in the London borough of Merton. But as they paid a fortune to buy Kingsmeadow I can't imagine they will move any time soon. http://www.wisa.org.uk/cgi/l/articles/index.cgi?action=show&id=320 I suppose it depends just how successful they are.
Well, I leave tomorrow for England! My Australian Football team (the Atlanta Kookaburras) is coming to Reading to play in a tournament this weekend. Most of the guys are going over just for a long weekend, leaving tomorrow and coming back Monday -- but my favorite soccer team in the world is playing at home the next weekend, and since I'm going to be so close, I just HAVE to stay and attend a game! So barring any disasters, I will be at the game versus East Thurrock United on the 15th. Any of you Wombles on here come by and say "hi" to the Yank Womble -- I'll be the big dude with the mustache, wearing the #10 AFCW home jersey (first design), and maybe also my AFCW beanie/knit hat/touque/whatever the hell you call it over there... I'll probably have my camera with Kodak Film strap, as well. I'll be trying to get there a little early -- and should be getting tickets in the Tempest End terrace. Hope to see some of you there!
A little strange to post this but fail to note that AFC Wimbledon got knocked out of the Isthmian League playoffs?
That sucks, but if at least one of the teams goes up(AFC W)/or down(MK Dons) that is pretty good. Can't expect both of them to move a level each season. AFC W (Level 7) MK Dons (Level 4) The gap is closing.
It would be hilarious if you bypassed each other without playing (Milton Keynes going down to fifth level for example and Wimbledon going up to the fourth level the same year).
It's certainly possible but somewhat unlikely imo. AFC Wimbledon's progress upwards is going to be tougher from this point (as evidenced by this season and Aldershot's stalled progress in relatively similar circumstances) and MK Dons will likely find their equilibrium and halt their slide: they'll have a new stadium soon which will probably boost their already reasonable lower-division attendances (5,620 last season whilst being relegated).
I went past the MK Dons new stadium on a rail replacement service to Bletchley a few weeks ago and I was stunned. "What are they gonna do with it?" was my thought. How long before there is a rugby team wanting to move there so they can reduce costs? "We feel Milton Keynes is a rugby hotbed".