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We’ve only gone and Don it: AFCWimbledon players celebrate promotion
GETTING FITHEALTHY EVENTS ANDBANK HOLIDAY FUNSee page 6
MOUNTAIN GIRLEVA’S IN PEAKCONDITIONSee page 3
TRAGIC GAMECORONER’S OPENVERDICT ON HANGINGSee page 5
wimbledonguardian.co.uk June 2, 2016 60p
DONS ON THE UPDreams come true for Wembley wonders
SPORT EDITOR
AFCWimbledon fans will be watchingtheir heroes play League One footballnext season after being led to promo-tion by “one of their own”.A 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in
front of almost 60,000 fans at Wembley
on Monday saw the Dons crownedLeague Two play-off champions, andlifted them to the third tier of Eng-lish football.It came just 14 years after the club’s
creation following the FA’s decisionto allow the original Wimbledon tomove up the M1 left, leaving die-hardDons fans shedding angry tears.That sense of injustice has helped
propel the Dons up the football pyra-
mid, back into the Football Leaguein 2011, and onto Wembley glory.Manager Neal Ardley, who
made more than 250 appearancesfor Dons between 1991 and 2002,said: “To stand there at Wembleyin front of thousands of peoplewho had their club ripped awayfrom them 14 years ago, as one of
Continued on page 2
June 2, 201634 SPORT www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Wembley heroes: AFC Wimbledon outplayedPlymouth to win the League Two play-off finalPictures: Staph Ousellam
‘IT IS DEFINITELY THE BESTMOMENT OF MY CAREER ’
AFC WIMBLEDON 2PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0
PLAY-OFF FINAL 2016It was only six weeks ago that
Jon Meades’ season lay in tatters,writes Tim Ashton.
The 24-year-old AFC Wimbledonutility man had ruptured ankleligaments in the win at Dagenham& Redbridge on April 19, andappeared destined to miss theLeague Two run-in – let alone aWembley appearance.He would not kick a ball in anger
again until he came off the benchin the second half at Wembleyto help Dons secure their placein League One in fine style overPlymouth Argyle.And it would seem that Meades’
future at Dons is safe for the timebeing as Callum Kennedy, theman who stepped into his injuredshoes, has not been offered a newcontract.In the meantime, Meades
was simply happy to get on thehallowed pitch and play his partin a famous day.“It’s an unbelievable feeling – to
think that six weeks ago I thoughtmy season was over,” he said.“I have done everything I could
to get back, so to play a part inthe game was unbelievable, andthe fact we won is incredible – itis definitely the best moment in mylife.”The former Bournemouth and
Oxford United man, who spentmuch of the 2012-13 seasonon loan at the Dons before hispermanent switch in 2015, added:“I did not know if I would get on.“I have had a good season, but
being out for six weeks meant mymatch fitness probably was notthere.“But I felt good, my ankle was
feeling pretty good, and to playin front of something like 60,000people was incredible.”Prior to Lyle Taylor’s opener late
in the second half, the play-off finalhad been a tight affair with Donsjust edging the battle.Meades said: “Lyle is a goal-
scorer, that’s what he is all about– his goals this season have got usto Wembley and he has done wellto get the goal.“But it was not just him, everyone
has played a massive part in theseason, his goals have got theheadlines, but from back to front ithas been exceptional.”He added: “I don’t think there
was much between the teams, butI think we just believed more thanthem [Plymouth].“In the first half they looked
nervous, their big players did notturn up. We’ve got a lot of playerswho have experienced playing atWembley, and that showed.”
Jon Meades
June 2, 2016 35SPORTwww.wimbledonguardian.co.uk
AFC Wimbledon boss NealArdley says he and Wembleyhero Adebayo Akinfenwa haveparted company as the best offriends, writes Tim Ashton.
Akinfenwa, who joined the Dons inthe summer of 2014, hit the penaltythat sealed the Dons promotion toLeague One.It saw off the threat of Plymouth
Argyle in the League Two play-offfinal after Lyle Taylor had givenDons the lead.Akinfenwa announced on Sky
Sports post-match that he hadplayed his last game for Dons, andthe club confirmed it on Monday.
Ardley said: “We had areally long heart-felt chatearlier this week, as part ofour conversations with all theplayers.“We get on unbelievably well
and will stay friends for ever, Ihope.”He added: “It was left a little bit
in the open, but if he feels he won’tbe starting every week, it is bestfor both parties for him to move onbecause he probably has at leasttwo seasons left in him.”Akinfenwa said: “I have no
ill-feeling or malice towards thegaffer, I will always talk fondly ofhim – even though I did not play asmuch as I would have liked to, henever disrespected me.“We part ways, he wants to go
in a different direction and so be it,he is the manager.“We have a good relationship, it
is what it is, it’s football and we’llsee where I end up next season.”He added: “I don’t want the
season to end, I feel good, strongand fit.“I have just started to hit good
form recently and I think I have acouple of years left in me. As longas my body wants to play on, I willplay on.”
‘WE WILL STAYFRIENDS FOREVER’
Neal Ardley on the Beast
Delighted Dons(from top):Skipper BarryFuller; Fanscelebratingthe day; DaveBassett; DannieBulman.Main: AdebayoAkinfenwascores thepenalty andcelebrates thevictory
Pictures:Staph Ousellam
Winner: Darcey O’Shea
Darcey’sgreat fivegong gameHERCULESWimbledonyoungster Darcey O’Sheawon five gold medalsat an open meeting forindependent schools lastweekend – even though shehad never trained in oneof the events, writes TomPollak.
The Year 6 pupil from TheStudy Preparatory School,in Wimbledon Village,won individual gold in the100m, 400m, high jump andlong jump at the Thomas’sSchool athletics meeting inBattersea Park.
She then went on to win ateam gold in the sprint relay– which was enough to earnDarcey the trophy for thebest individual girl athletefor the second successiveyear.
However, mum Stella said:“Darcey does not normallydo the long jump and hasnever had any practice ortraining in that event.
“She was only asked to doit as one of her team-mates,who normally does it, was illand could not attend.”
She added: “They wereonly allowed two jumps. Hersecond was 4.24m, whichnot only won the event, butalso broke the IndependentAssociation of Prep SchoolsNational record, which hadbeen 4.10m.”
Meanwhile, HerculesWimbledon will berepresented at the WorldDuathlon Championshipsthis weekend.
Gina Galbraith, SimonBodle, Charles Hampden-Smith and Richard Evanswill be flying the flag inAviles in Spain.
PLAYING AWAY: The biggestever parkrun took place inSouth Africa last Saturday,with more than 1,800 runningthe 5k route at North Beachin Durban – and sevenWimbledon Windmilers tookpart. The following day, fiveof them ran Comrades, a56-mile ultra-marathon fromPietermaritzburg to Durban.Bronwyn Mayo, above right,clocked nine hours 39 min-utes 42 seconds, followed bySophie Russell (9:50:47), EllaWaddingham (9:53:15), LisaWood, above left, (10:22:56)and Bernadette Maher Allan,above centre, (10:45:37).
KEEPING PACE: Wimble-don CC remain just in touchwith the early leaders of theSurrey Championship PremierDivision thanks to a 67-runhome win over East Moleseyon Saturday. After electing tobat, Wimbledon’s Max Fernie(58 not out) top-scored as thehosts carded 262-7 off theirallotted 50 overs. A tight bowl-ing attack, including figures of4-34 off 10 overs from RobbieGunn, always had Wimbledonon the front foot and theirguests were all out in the 49thover on 195. Wimbledon goto Guildford this weekend. InT20 action, Wimbledon’s 27-run win over Hampton WickRoyal last week ensured safepassage to round three of theSurrey Championship knock-out competition, where theywill face Old Rutlishians.
NEW FEELING: Old Rutlishi-ans succumbed to their firstdefeat in Division One, goingdown by 51 runs at MaldenWanderers on Saturday. Thehosts’ Pete Young was thethorn in the Old Boys’ side,hitting an unbeaten 137 asWanderers carded 271-4. Inreply, Old Ruts finished on220 all out in the 45th over.They host Walton-on-Thamesthis weekend.
ROCK BOTTOM: Spencerremain bottom of the DivisionOne table after defeat atfellow strugglers ChipsteadCoulsdon & Walcountians.After electing to bat, Spen-cer’s Saqib Malik top-scoredon 42 off 76 balls as theystruggled to 170 before beingknocked over in the 45th over.There was little in the Spencerbowling attack to worry thehosts and only one wicket fellas Chipstead ticked off theruns in the 30th over. Spencerhost Malden Wanderers thisweekend.
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REPORTER
DARIUS Charles is one offour players who have com-mitted themselves to LeagueOne’s newest side – and givenhis love for his teammates, itis no wonder.
Dannie Bulman, BarryFuller and George Francombhave also signed on the dottedline while Callum Kennedy,Sean Rigg and Adebayo Ak-infenwa have left the LeagueTwo play-off champions.
Central defender Charlesjoined AFC Wimbledon onloan from Burton Albionin March and forged a solidpartnership with Paul Robin-son at the back.
In 12 games with the duo atthe heart of the defence, theDons have conceded just sev-en goals – playing a key rolein getting to Wembley.
However, the 28-year-oldhailed his teammates’ workethic from the opening gameof the season.
“The play-off final was notwon today, it was won at thestart of the season with allthe work the lads have putin,” he said.
“I have been on loan herefor threemonths, and I am in-spired every day by the boysat the club.
“The work they put in isunlike anything I have seenbefore.”
He added: “These gamesare never won on the day.There is a reason why, at theend of a long season, peoplecan push and give that littlebit extra to win the play-offgames with all the emotionsrunning round, so I wouldsay the game was won on Au-gust 8.”
Goals from Lyle Taylorand the departing Akinfenwa
from the penalty spot saw offPlymouth Argyle at Wemb-ley to spark wild celebrationsamong the Dons fans.
Charles said: “I am emo-tionally and mentally knack-
PLAY-OFF CHAMPIONS: Defender Charles hails season-long campaigners
Inspired by Dons’ spirit
ered, but the rewards arewell worth it.”
Ardley told Dons Player:“Darius has been immense.Before extra-time at Accring-ton I did not need to do a team
talk because Darius did it forme and this is a guy who justdoes not want to lose, thattransmits to the rest of theteam.
“I still don’t think we’veseen the best of him yet. Hehas still had problems aftersuffering a broken leg lastyear, but if he’s only at 80 percent I would love to see himat 100 per cent.”
The departing Kennedysaid: “My contract is up andthe gaffer thought it was timeto go separate ways, I respectthat. I’ve had a great seasonand what better way to goout.
“[Jon] Meades has had anunbelievable season, andwhile you never want to loseyour place, if I was goingto lose it to anyone, I wouldwant it to be him.”
For more reaction go towimbledonguardian.co.uk/sport.
Calm before the storm: Darius Charles, above left, with Andy Barcham, takes in Wembley prior tokick-off, and, left, Callum Kennedy had an assist in the opening goal against Plymouth Argyle inhis last game for AFC Wimbledon
Look what I’ve got: Neal Ardley, above, with the League Two play-off final trophy after Monday’s2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley, and, below, Jon Meades demonstrates the team spiritthat was key in Darius Charles’ decision to commit himself to the club All pics: Staph Ousellam
pages34-35
THE PROMISED LANDINSIDE: HOW AFC WIMBLEDON’SWEMBLEY DREAM CAME TRUE
