Grassroots Profile: AFC Wimbledon

Within an amazing week the club set up by supporters disgruntled at their team's move away from London have just won the Combined Counties League title and reached the  Premier Challenge Cup Final.

It is their first cup final since the Wimbledon FC of old toppled Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final.

Who could forget the "Crazy Gang" taking on the "Culture Club" with Des Lynam telling television viewers that they could be about to witness one of the highest-scoring finals with perhaps "five or six goals" to nil? Of course that never happened – and Dons ran out 1-0 winners thanks to Lawrie Sanchez’ header and Dave Beasant’s penalty save.

But while the AFC Wimbledon players might not be turning up at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, you try telling their fans that this year’s Final is any less of an occasion than in 1988.

After cruising through the semi-finals with a 5-0 defeat of Coney Hall, the Dons are set to face league rivals North Greenford United at Woking FC’s Kingfield Stadium on Friday, 30th April.

Chairman Kris Stewart believes that should the Dons win the trophy, victory would be as sweet as it was against Liverpool.

"I know the PCC is not the same as The FA Cup," he said, "but we are where we are now and take our pleasure where we like. Hopefully, so long as we get the right result, people will enjoy themselves on the day as much as they did in 1988."

The Dons currently play in the Combined Counties League – eighth tier in the football pyramid – and have won the title with seven games still remaining after amassing 111 points in 39 games and scoring 151 goals. The club remains unbeaten in the league despite suffering a change of manager three quarters of the way through the season.

While the officials and fans deserve the credit for the establishment of the club, the on-field success is naturally down to the players.

Kevin Cooper shoulders the majority of the goal-scoring responsibilities and having just netted his 41st and 42nd league goals on Easter Monday. Not only did his brace clinch the title, but he also eclipsed former Wimbledon player, Eddie Reynolds’ record of 40 league goals in a season.

The striker, who was signed by the club after playing and scoring against them in their historic first friendly match against Sutton United, was delighted to reach the milestone and only needs four more goals to beat Reynolds’ overall season record of 57, which was set in 1964/65.

He said: "The chairman pointed out I'd beat Eddie's league record. Hopefully I can get those extra goals and take that record in the last few games. I can't wait to play the last few games, have some fun and hopefully score some more."

Centre-back Matt Everard also has an eye for goal, having found the net on 22 occasions this season. Everard was signed from rivals Ash United and has had a huge influence on the club’s defence, attracting interest from higher-placed clubs. Two months ago he turned down the opportunity to play for Conference side Aldershot, choosing to remain with the Dons.

With details of the restructuring of the Ryman League still being thrashed out, the Dons are waiting to see what league they will be allocated in next season. But, with promotion secured, their attention has been switched to the Cup Final at Woking.

Having beaten North Greenford in the league already this season, unlike in ’88 they will be going into the match as favourites. Their opponents, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be hoping to "do a Wimbledon".