Welcome to the 9yrspodcast Friday update. It has been a slow news week on the pitch and in regard to the squad. There is plenty of rumour and innuendo about potential transfer targets, but nothing has been confirmed. If you have any news you feel we have missed though, please let us know by emailing 9yrs@may14.co.uk with the subject header, ‘Friday Update’, and as always, let us know your thoughts by leaving your comments below.
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The first-team have two pre-season games this week. Tomorrow (Saturday 19 July) they travel to Gander Green Lane to play Sutton United (kick-off 3.00pm). Tickets, priced at £12 adults with various concessionary prices, can be bought in advance on Sutton’s ticketing platform. Then, on Tuesday (22nd July), we host Championship side Millwall at Plough Lane (kick-off 7.30pm). Again, adult tickets can be bought for £12 across the stadium, and can be bought from our DonsTix web site.
Last Saturday, we drew 1-1 with Watford in the Football Manager Cup. The pre-season game was played at Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale stadium, and the draw means the cup is shared. Josh Kelly put us ahead just past the hour mark – scoring on the rebound after his penalty was saved – with Watford’s Pierre Dwomoh equalising with a close-range header five minutes later. Our lineup was as follows:
- 3-5-2: Bishop; Ogundere (Goma 84), Hutchinson (Horan 45), Johnson (Young 45); Sasu (Jennings 75), Smith (Leach 75), Reeves (Sidwell 75), Hippolyte (Maycock 45), Seddon (Nkeng 75); Kelly (Stevens 75), Browne (McCoy-Splatt 45). Subs NU: McDonnell, Foyo. Goal: Kelly (60).
The deadline for Osman Foyo to respond to his FA gambling charge was on Wednesday. Neither club nor player have commented. Foyo was named as a substitute for the game against Watford, but did not feature.
Tickets for our opening League One fixture at Luton Town go on sale on Monday (21 July). We have been allocated 1,300 tickets: the majority will be in the Oak Road End behind the goal, and we assume that a small number will be available in the renovated Bobbers Stand down the side. Tickets are £26 adults. Season Ticket, Debenture Holders, and Members get priority: full details of arrangements can be found on the official web site. Sales open at 6.30pm.
Our new Lotto kits go on sale on Tuesday (22 July). They will be available to purchase online or in person at the club shop, which will be open for the duration of the Millwall game that evening.
Sean McLaughlin has stepped down as chair of The Dons Trust Board. Sean has also resigned his position on the Club board. Angus Fox has been elected as his replacement as DTB Chair; Graeme Price is now vice-chair; and James Longhurst has joined the Club board. Sean had been in post in both of his roles since January.
Plough Lane bondholders have donated £231,000 to the club. Bondholders were asked if they would donate their bonds to the club, or swap them for shares; the two options raised £107,400 and £123,600 respectively.
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.