Ahead of the Spireites’ return to the Football League and League Two, we are going to take a look at all 23 other teams that make up the division.
We are continuing with AFC Wimbledon:
FACT FILE
Team Name: AFC Wimbledon
Nickname: The Wombles
Year Founded: 2002
Stadium: Cherry Red Records Stadium
Capacity: 9,215
2023/24 SEASON
After an unbeaten pre-season, AFC Wimbledon started the campaign with one defeat in their first 12 games – which included six draws. Three loses in their next four threatened to derail their season, but the Wombles continued to their play-off push. They got to the second round of the League Cup and third round of the FA Cup. A strong run in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy saw them go to the quarter-finals before losing to eventual winners Peterborough United. Johnnie Jackson’s side went through the first half of March unbeaten, with three wins in four games. However, just two wins in their last eight games of the season ruined their play-off chances as Wimbledon finished in tenth place on 65 points.
MANAGER
Johnnie Jackson started his footballing career as a midfielder at Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. His stint at White Hart Lane included a few loan moves to EFL sides before leaving permanently for Colchester United in 2006. In 2010, after a loan move to Charlton Athletic from Notts County, Jackson made the permanent move to The Valley. He spent eight years with the club before transitioning into a coaching role after his retirement in 2018. After a caretaker spell in March 2021, he was given the job on a full-time basis in October of the same year. Jackson took charge of 40 games before his dismissal in May 2022, but he quickly joined AFC Wimbledon. Following a 21st placed finish in 2022/23, the 41-year-old narrowly missed out on a play-off place with the Dons last term.
Credit: Photo by Alan Walter/Shutterstock (14338756ap)
KEY PLAYER
Matty Stevens is a summer recruit from recently relegated Forest Green Rovers. Despite their poor season, the striker managed to reach double figures last season. In new surroundings, Stevens will be looking to keep up his good form.
Last season in numbers:
Appearances – 33
Goals – 11
Assists – 1
Yellow Cards – 1
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 1,967
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Aaron Ramsdale joined Chesterfield on loan in January 2018 from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth for the remainder of the season. The Spireites suffered a problematic second half of the campaign as they were relegated to the National League. Ramsdale performed well despite a difficult period.
Halfway through the 2018/19 season, Ramsdale earned a loan move to League One side AFC Wimbledon. Much like his spell in Derbyshire, the goalkeeper impressed despite his side finishing lower in the table. Following the end of his stint at Wimbledon, Ramsdale went on to become an established Premier League goalkeeper.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
P 7 W 3 D 2 L 2
Since AFC Wimbledon reached the Football League, they have only had seven meetings with the Spireites. The six league fixtures ended with two wins for either side and two draws – both of the Blues wins came in 2013. Chesterfield have the slight edge in the head-to-head record, thanks to the FA Cup victory in 2022.
PREVIOUS GAME
Chesterfield received an away tie at AFC Wimbledon in November 2022 in the Emirates FA Cup second round. Both sides went into the game in good form as the Spireites were looking for a ninth game unbeaten whilst the Dons were looking to go 11 games unbeaten. With added time looming, Armando Dobra played a one-two with Joe Quigley before firing confidently Nik Tzanev. Paul Cook’s side secured their passage to the third round with 14 minutes to go; Jeff King’s looping cross flew over the head of the Wimbledon goalkeeper and straight into the far corner.
