Welcome to the 9yrspodcast Friday update. Pre-season has started, which means we have some actual football to report on here. However, there have been a range of important stories from elsewhere around the club this week. As always, let us know your thoughts by leaving your comments below, or emailing 9yrs@may14.co.uk with the subject header, ‘Friday Update’.
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The first-team squad played two friendly games this week. Last Saturday, we twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Pafos FC, of Cyrpus, in Marbella: Josh Kelly and Matty Stevens with the goals. Then on Wednesday night, we won 4-2 at Enfield Town having been 2-0 down. Former Dons striker Tommy Wood scored twice in the first 20 minutes for the National League South side, but goals from Stevens and Ali Smith levelled the score before substitute Osman Foyo bagged a brace. Team line-ups for the games were as follows:
- vs Pafos FC (3-5-2): Bishop (McDonnell 45); Ogundere (Horan 45), Lewis (Johnson 45), Seddon (Young 45); McCoy-Splatt (Sasu 45), Reeves (Smith 45), Maycock (Hippolyte 45), Leach (Trialist 60), Jennings (Sidwell 45); Foyo (Browne 45), Kelly (Stevens 45). Goals: Kelly (35), Stevens (90).
- vs Enfield Town (3-5-2): McDonnell (Bishop 45); Ogundere (Horan 60), Lewis (Hutchinson 45), Seddon (Nkeng 60); McCoy-Splatt (Young 45), Sidwell (Smith 45), Maycock (Hippolyte 60), Leach (Reeves 45), Jennings (Sasu 45); Stevens (Browne 60), Kelly (Foyo 45). Goals: Stevens (33), Smith (74), Foyo (75, 82).
Our next fixture is against Watford on Saturday (12 July). The game is being played at Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale stadium, and kick-off is at 3.00pm. Tickets can be bought in advance via the club’s ticketing web site.
Omar Bugiel and Riley Harbottle are close to returning to action. The duo picked up injuries at the close of last season, but Johnnie Jackson told the official web site that they have started training with the squad and they could get some game time in the pre-season friendly with Sutton United on 19 July.
Osman Foyo has been charged by the FA with breaching gambling rules. It is alleged that Foyo made 252 bets on football matches between October 2023 and March 2025. He has until Wednesday 16 July to respond; the club are not making any comment for the time being.
A consortium led by John Green is looking to buy a 3.7 per cent stake in AFC Wimbledon. ‘Across The Pond LLC’ will spend $1.4m (£1.03m) to acquire the shares if the sale is approved at a Dons Trust and AFCW PLC Special General Meeting next month. Green, best-selling of author of The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, has been a long-term sponsor of the club. Funds from the sale will go toward the stadium debt, and making further investments into Plough Lane. More information about the proposed investment, and the SGM, including a proxy form, can be found on the official web site.
The We Are Wimbledon Fund’s ‘All For One’ Campaign launched last week. The campaign aims to raise money for the playing budget, with a target to raise £250,000 by 1 January. Since launching last Tuesday, £7,000 has already been donated by more than 100 contributors. Fans can make one-off or recurring payments. Comedian and Dons fan Geoff Norcott has already leant his support to the campaign, saying that “those who can afford to can really make a difference”. For more information, visit wearewimbledonfund.com.
Ryan McLean has signed for Buxton of the National League North. McLean, 25, was released from Plough Lane at the end of last season after suffering an ACL injury in April 2024. The winger scored once – a spectacular winner against Championship-side Coventry City in the League Cup – in 10 appearances for us. Elsewhere, goalkeeper Lewis Ward, also released at the end of last season, has joined Swindon Town.
The latest Same Old Wombles podcast is out now. The boys talk to AFC Wimbledon Women’s Ashlee Hincks. You can find the episode here.
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