Welcome to my New Association Football feature where I delve back into the past. Starting with a trip down memory lane as AFC Wimbledon prepare to play Plymouth Argyle at Wembley this coming Monday in the Division Two Play-off final.

Watch this video for a brief history lesson - for those unfamiliar with how AFC began: click - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm_83rauUDg

And from the ashes of the former Wimbledon FC the new (but old) Club stands one game away from Division One (the old 3rd Division) and being in the same league as the MK Dons. 

But I'm going back to the days when Wimbledon FC were an Amateur club playing in the Isthmian League. When you changed ends in the ground at half-time and the Wandle End of Plough Lane was know as the Smelly End. The programme cost 4d and your school gave you a pass to get you in for free. You meet your mates and had a laugh…

(Above): A 1961 friendly against Chelsea Reserves: containing Barry Bridges, Bert Murray and Ken Shellito.

(Left): An F.A. Cup game from 1963 against Bath City. No mention of City's manager Malcolm Allison in the programme notes. Guess the manager wasn't that important back then.


The Wimbledon teams shown (Above and below) will ring a few bells. Eddie Reynolds, of course, Captain Roy Law, Mike Kelly in goal, the Martin brothers John and Brian, all familiar names from the early 60s.

(Above): End of season match verses Tooting & Mitcham, who have in goal Alex Stepney.

(Above): It's a bit small to make out but the lists of goal scorers has Eddie Reynolds on 47 for the first team. With Peter Kenchington on 36 for the Reserves. My memory of Kenchington was he cut a similar profile to AFC's Akinfenwa (Below)

Which brings me neatly to the Play-off final. 
The team that drew 2-2 with Accrington and made it to Wembley contained Dutch loanee Kelle Roos in goal. In the 60s it was Mike Kelly in goal. Another coincidence was the sub bench that night had Rhys Murphy, also on loan to Wimbledon. Both team sheets here and regular choice at No.6 was Ted Murphy, always called 'Spud' by the fans back then.



We're on our way to Wembley - "Up the Dons" - though some wag on social media has picked up on the 70s connection to The Wombles and renamed the venue on Monday: Wombley ! 

And that's Association Football, isn't it?
Marvellous !