AFC Wimbledon Win Promotion to League 1 00:00 / 1X

After 90 minutes of soccer at Wembley Stadium, AFC Wimbledon, a club owned entirely by its fans has gained promotion to League 1.

If you haven’t read my piece on why AFC Wimbledon are so special, go read it before you read this.

On their 14th Anniversary of the formation of the Club, AFC Wimbledon have done what so many had thought impossible and have been promoted to League 1 after defeating Plymouth Argyle 2-0.

It was a game of two halves, with limited chances for both sides during the first 45 minutes. But then, just as had happened in both legs of the semifinals, there was a seismic shift when the Beast, Adebayo Akinfenwa, came on for Tom Elliot in the 77th minute. Then, just shy of a minute later, a deflected corner kick fell to the feet of Callum Kennedy, who’s ball in was flicked home by Lyle Taylor to give the Dons their go ahead goal.

In the following 10 minutes Plymouth threw men forward in an attempt to equalize, amounting in nothing. Wimbledon struck back with quick counter attacks with Barry Fuller, Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa all getting free on goal within the last 15 minutes. On a run down the right flank Akinfenwa drew a penalty after being tripped up by Plymouth Curtis Nelson. The game was sealed when Ade Akinfenwa calmly hammered home the penalty to put the Dons up 2-0.

25,000 Wimbledon fans, ten times as many as can fit in their home ground, sung in tremendous voice as the final whistle blew and the Dons secured their spot in the third tier of English Football.

I don’t think I can accurately put into words how improbable and miraculous this all is. And as a fan, I don’t think I can accurately put into words how joyous this feels. The fans in those stands, the fans who had their club stolen from them, who were told that there would be no football in Wimbledon and still didn’t lose hope have had their hope vindicated once again. New fans, who have heard this story and have, throught the Dons Trust, literally bought into what the club stands for even though they may never have been to Wimbledon, have been reassured that hope is real. Passion is real. And only by passion can there be promotion.

There will be a time when AFC Wimbledon’s fire only smolders, and there will be dark days. The road ahead is rougher than any others, they’ll be the smallest club by far, with a ground capacity that’s half the second smallest. They’ll also face MK Dons, the team that was stolen from Wimbledon in the first place.

If any team is equipped to face down these challenges, it’s AFC Wimbledon. A team built on hope, community and the pure, unadulterated joy of the game.

Up the Dons.

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