Welcome to the 9yrspodcast Friday update. Happy Independence Day to those who celebrate! As anticipated, the club is getting busier as we start pre-season and work towards the start of the new season, which is now just four weeks away. As always, please leave your comments below, and if we have missed anything, let us know by emailing 9yrs@may14.co.uk with the subject header, ‘Friday Update’.
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Pre-season starts tomorrow, Saturday 5 July, with a game against Pafos FC. Kick-off in Marbella is at 11.30am BST. Fans in Spain, or any last-minute travellers, can purchase tickets, priced €12.5, from the Marbella Football Centre web site. Note the badge.
The club has published a financial analysis of spending in Leagues One and Two. The review, produced in conjunction with The Dons Trust, summarises five-years worth of accounts, culminating in the 2023-24 season. It found that the average loss suffered by clubs in the third and fourth tiers has increased significantly: in League Two, an increase of £1.8m between 2019-20 and 2023-24; in League One, a rise of £3.75m over the same period. The report also notes that average wages in League One rose by 43.6 per cent in that time, with average turnover only increasing by 22.5 per cent. The report states that these ‘stark’ numbers show the ‘core challenge’ we face in remaining competitive as a Football League side. The analysis is available in full on The Dons Trust web site.
Mick Buckley discussed our financial situation on The Price of Football web site. The AFC Wimbledon Chair spoke to Kevin Day about a range of topics around the club, but conversation centred on money matters: Mick disclosed our successes with players sales, but admitted our difficulties around the existing stadium and Bond debt. The interview can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Johnnie Jackson added two new faces to his squad this week. Goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, 25, has joined from Sunderland on a three-year contract. Bishop was two years into a three-year contract with the Mackems, but the terms of his departure from the Stadium of Light have not been disclosed. The England under-20 international has made 47 League One appearances in his career spanning spells at Southend United, Wycombe Wanderers, and Cambridge United. Meanwhile, central midfielder Delano McCoy-Splatt has signed a two-year deal having been released by Fulham. The Jamaica international, 20, has yet to play at senior club level.
Marcus Browne is staying at Plough Lane! The attacking midfielder, 27, scored four goals in 21 appearances for Wimbledon last season, having joined in January as a free agent. Browne has signed a two-year contract. Talking to the official web site, Johnnie Jackson said the deal was a “real coup” for the club, saying that Browne has, “quality beyond” the third tier.
Our League One fixture with Wycombe Wanderers will be broadcast live. This means kick-off for the game at Plough Lane on Saturday 27 September has been brought forward to 12.30pm. As it stands, this will be our third televised fixture of the season, following games at Luton Town on Friday 1 August (8.00pm), and at home to Lincoln City on Saturday 9 August (3.00pm).
Three Academy players have signed professional contracts with the club. Academy Manager Michael Hamilton announced deals for Riley Horan, Junior Nkeng, and Ed Leach by telling the official web site that their signings mean “everything” to the club.
Next season’s new Lotto kits have been revealed. We have three new kits, with a green-and-black hoop design – we have christened it the “fluorescent zebra” – being our change strip, with a more traditional yellow being our third-choice colours. The kits, seen above, are due to go on sale next week.
Two fan podcasts have been released this past week. The Same Old Wombles discussed the release of the fixture list, and our new kits, whilst The Womble Coefficient reviewed the 2024-25 season.
The 9yrspodcast’s own Stuart Deacons appeared on the BBC London Sport Show this week. Stu spoke to Nick Goodwin about Plough Lane, from old to new, and his highlights of watching Wimbledon over the years. The show also features an interview with Johnnie Jackson from Marbella: listen to it on the BBC Sounds web site.
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