I was talking a couple of fans before the game yesterday in the pub and what they've achieved is pretty amazing.

The bloke I was talking to started watching them in 1980 when they were in the fourth division, they bounced between the fourth and third for and a bit before three promotions in five years to the top flight. The last season he actually watched Wimbledon as it was, was the year after they got relegated from the Premier League and the Milton Keaynes disgrace was about to become a reality. From that point within a matter of months they reformed and started in the North East Counties league so in less than two years he'd gone from watching top flight football to the bottom of pyramid. Within ten years they got back to the Football League amongst other things raising £3.5 million to buy Kingstonians ground. Incredible story really but what really hit home was home wrong MK Dons are and how they shouldn't be in the League. Did you know for example that greasy haired fucker Winkelman even wrote to the FA try and get the name changed on the FA Cup trophy for the 1988 winners to MK Dons!!? As he said only 91 clubs are in the League, I tend to agree. They have absolutely no right to have a place in the League, Wimbledon have earned that right twice.

As you may have read, they are also moving back to Plough Lane, what 25 years after moving out, although it has just been announced this week that the planning decision has been referred to the mayor (Boris Johnston) as the majority of locals in LB of Merton don't want them back.

Interestingly, the ground will be built on the site of the current greyhound track and as someone mentioned on a post a few weeks back, that will be another dog track gone. Doesn't bother me as such but just a shame that former iconic venues disappear.

Didn't they have Stock Car Racing there too, or was that another stadium in Wimbledon?

Yep, the same place. Literally, next door to the old plough lane ground.

I don't think they do it any more (certainly never see it advertised) but the dogs is still on regularly. It is in desperate need of some investment mind but I guess they have say 500 people turning up max and just can't make it work financially.

Part of the plan for the proposed new ground is it to build 600 new homes as well

What happened there Chip? I always thought Wimbledon were the Lodgers, Kingstonian got into financial turmoil, so Wimbledon bought the ground, with the money they had for their new ground, and agreed Kingstonian stay as lodgers, so they didn't fold. Maybe I've over simplified it but it's just from memory.

Shan as fuck that like. I would have expected better from Wimbledon.

Makes them as bad as those MK Franchise wankers

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I was under the impression Chelsea were getting it so they could play their youth team on it and let Kingstonian stay but might have heard wrongly.

Chelsea are indeed taking kingsmeadow for a fair few million and using it for their reserves and the ladies team

Kingstonian are getting paid off mind and are currently trying to get planning for a new ground in.....Chessington

Mind, they are trying to build it on a former golf course. Subject to planning of course.

I have never been a big greyhound fan but have been to Wimbledon dogs a few times over the years and it really is like stepping back into the 70s and not in a good way.

Owners have clearly been happy to just pocket the takings and not re-invest which is totally the opposite to horse racing which has invested significantly. I would happily take the wife and kids horse racing for a trip out but wouldn't dream of taking them to the dogs. Just not a very nice family experience.

Consequently, tracks have been prime for redevelopment with attendance dwindling for the years.

Just googled the old fisher ground and indeed, it was developed into housing. London has a massive housing shortage and although local authorities make it as difficult as possible to grant planning, they are all targeted to deliver units and so typically grant planning subject to them getting a kickback in terms of a payment / premium that is supposed to go to local infrastructure

Funnily enough I was watching Steptoe & Son Rides Again last night and they were at White City - this was in 1973. Looked a great stadium I must say...

An interesting little piece.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35881589

I know I'll get panned for this but everyone hated them in the 80's and I still don't care for them. They were utter thugs back; Vinny Jones, Dennis Wise and the like who brutalized their way to lifting the FA Cup. Then they are sold to MK and they get a good airbrushing of Kardashian levels.

agree with Mr I

Whatever they were like what happened to them was completely wrong and what they've achieved since is pretty remarkable. With your efforts setting up the trust I'm sure you can appreciate that. They raised £3.5 million alone to buy a ground.

Surely they had to play that way to compete with the usual suspects

The biggest disappointment was that they didn't get chance to play in Europe due to the English clubs ban. I would have loved to have seen fash and co play against Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Wimbledon In European football?? They would have been down to just Dave Beasant within ten minutes.

they wouldnt have touched the ball.

QPR did indeed play there....13 different grounds they have played at in their history!!!!

And also White City was used in the 66 World Cup....a lot of people slip up on that in quizzes!!!!

Bingo! I can remember when Watford were long balling (hoofing!) their way up the football league and qualified for the UEFA Cup (or whatever it was called back then). They played Sparta Prague, got stuffed 7-2 on aggregate and barely even saw the ball.

We'll never know as they were robbed of the opportunity to compete

The plot thickens, and potentially a nice little earner.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35944225

Pools get a mention too.

I precious enough, they were utter thugs now everyone is crying over them.