Wimbledon FC fans took a trip down memory lane, via Plough Lane, when the Christmas lights were switched on at Morden Civic Centre on Wednesday night.
By David Jamieson
Wimbledon FC fans took a trip down memory lane, via Plough Lane, when the Christmas lights were switched on at Morden Civic Centre on Wednesday night.
The library’s exhibit of Wimbledon FC memorabilia attracted plenty of misty-eyed reminiscing from those who remember the glory-days of Merton’s original Dons.
John Williams, 64, of Mitcham, said he had fond memories of all-time goal-scorer Eddie Reynolds, who scored 340 goals for the Dons in 329 matches between 1957 and 1966.
“Wimbledon goes back a long, long way with me,” he said.
“He was an outstanding player. I would’ve thought, had he progressed, he could have gone on to much better things.”
The forward’s name appears on the collection’s pennant celebrating the Dons’ fifth Isthmian League title in 1959.
The collection currently on display also features the miniature FA Cup replica awarded to the club when it defied the odds to beat champions Liverpool 1-0 in the 1988 FA Cup Final.
“That was special for them to beat Liverpool,” said Mr Williams.
Other items include a piece of wood from Plough Lane, Wimbledon FC’s former home ground, and the match ball from its first ever football league game in 1977.
The club’s highly-controversial move from London to Milton Keynes in 2003 and eventual name change to MK Dons was still a sore point though.
Mr Williams said: “That ruined it and how Milton Keynes can call themselves the Dons, there’s only one team called the Dons and that’s Wimbledon.”
“I used to watch them down Plough Lane, way back, 40 years ago,” said Derek Carter, also of Mitcham.
“Then I had to go back to Tooting and Mitcham, didn’t I?”
Jilted Wimbledon supporters formed AFC Wimbledon in response, which was guest of honour at this year’s Christmas lights ceremony.
The entire collection totals more than 500 items including photographs, match programmes, football kits and the team mascot’s Womble outfit. The display will be rotated throughout the year.
