Welcome to the 9yrspodcast Friday update. News was slow last week, but it was clearly the calm before the storm as we have a plethora of stories in this edition. However, if there is anything you think we have missed, please email 9yrs@may14.co.uk using the subject header, ‘Friday Update’. As always, please post any comments or suggestions in the comment function below.
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The 2025-26 League One fixture list has been published. Wimbledon begin the season away at Luton Town on Friday 1 August at 8.00pm. The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football. Our first home fixture of the campaign is against Lincoln City on Saturday 9 August at 3.00pm in a game that will also be broadcast live – this time on the Sky Sports+ service. Other notable fixtures include travelling to Leyton Orient on New Year’s Day, and Barnsley on Valentine’s Day. We finish the season at home to Huddersfield Town, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday 2 May (3.00pm). The full list of fixtures can be found on the BBC web site.
Wimbledon have been drawn against Gillingham in the League Cup First Round. The game will be played at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, and is expected to take place on Tuesday 12 August – kick-off time to be confirmed. The two teams were drawn against each other in the First Round just three seasons ago, with the Gills winning 2-0 at Plough Lane.
Four players have signed contracts with the club this week. The deals mean that, from the contract situations announced as part of the club’s retained and released list, all but one – Marcus Browne – have been resolved. The four signees are:
- Sam Hutchinson. Hutchinson has completed a one-year extension to his contact, having originally joined on a one-month deal last December. The versatile midfielder, 35, told the official web site: “I’m delighted to sign again. From the moment I got here everyone has made me feel so welcome – it’s a proper football club.” Hutchinson underwent heart surgery in May after scoring the winner away at Grimsby Town.
- Steve Seddon. Seddon, 27, says he is “buzzing to be back” after joining the club for the third time, having previously played for us in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons. The left-back departed Motherwell at the end of last season after an injury ruled him out of action from December to April. He has signed a one-year deal at Plough Lane.
- Joe McDonnell. Another returning face, McDonnell left the club in 2020 to sign for National League side Eastleigh, where he has been a virtual ever-present for the past three seasons. The 31-year-old goalkeeper has signed a two-year contract, and said he “jumped at the chance” to play at Plough Lane.
- Alistair Smith. The 26-year-old midfielder has signed a two-year contract. Smith was released by Lincoln City, from whom he was on loan to us last season, in May. Johnnie Jackson said it was a priority of his to, “(secure) his services on a permanent basis” after Smith scored six goals in 52 appearances in all competitions for us last year.
Southend United will host us for a pre-season friendly in July. The game, scheduled for Saturday 26 July at 1.00pm, will be our last before the start of the League One season. Southend host our opening day opponents Luton three days earlier. Ticket info for the encounter at Roots Hall has yet to be released, but tickets for our game with Watford at Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale Stadium (Saturday 12 July, 3.00pm) are now available on our ticketing web site.
The club has announced three kit sponsorship deals for next season. Sports Interactive will continue to sponsor our home and change kit, whilst Private Office Asset Management will adorn our third kit. Kwik-Fit will sponsor our training wear.
AFC Wimbledon Women will play home fixtures at Imperial Fields next season. The club have agreed a groundshare deal with Tooting & Mitcham United that will see the team use the venue for training sessions and all home games not scheduled to be played at Plough Lane. Women’s team General Manager Sophia Axelsson described the agreement as a “long-term deal”. Tooting & Mitcham also share Imperial Fields with fellow Combined Counties League Premier Divison side Balham.
James Woodroof spoke to the official AFC Wimbledon podcast this week. James, Managing Director at the club, spoke to Aaron Paul about last season’s on-field success, the new ticketing platform, and the club’s finances. The podcast is available on all platforms, including Spotify and Acast.
The latest Same Old Wombles podcast is available now. This week, the boys were joined by comedian Mark Thomas. Click here to listen.
A reminder that all episodes of the 9yrspodcast are available on YouTube. Every edition of the show, dating back to 2015, can be found there, including interviews with Ollie Palmer, Seb Brown, Robin Bedford, Kelly-Jade Whelan, Marc Jones, and Dave Anderson. Find them at youtube.co.uk/9yrspodcast.
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