06 | Sep | 2020 | A Scotsman in Suburbia

I haven’t written anything on here for over a month. This was the last thing I wrote, but didn’t publish. Since writing this bit below a couple of things have clarified, The season has now started, behind closed doors, and we have a temporary home at The Kiyan Prince Memorial Stadium, courtesy of Queens Park Rangers. We played Oxford in the EFL Cup yesterday and lost on penalties. Disappointing, but apparently there were a lot of positives to take from our performance against the team that I thought was the best in League One last year. Work at Plough Lane has progressed as well, but we still don’t have a definite opening date. The first match could be against Blackpool on Tuesday the 27th of October, but we don’t know as yet. Whenever it is, I hope that at least some fans are allowed in to watch. I would hate the team to run out for the first time to an empty stadium.

Day 132 Sunday 02/08/2020

Yesterday was the first Saturday in August. It should be the start of AFC Wimbledon’s annual attempt to remain in EFL League One. Four seasons ago we stayed up comfortably. Three seasons ago it took a scrappy 0-0 draw away to Doncaster on the second last game of the season to ensure we stayed up. Two seasons ago, it was another even scrappier 0-0 draw at Bradford on the final day that kept us up on goal difference. The season just gone saw us stay up, just, on average points per game after the season was curtailed.

If we continue that trajectory, we are favourites to be relegated.

This year however The Cherry Red Records Stadium is no more. Kingsmeadow has reverted to its proper name, and is now solely the home of Chelsea Women. We are on our way home to Plough Lane. The only problem is that I have no idea when the new season will start. It is probably a good thing, from our point of view, as the new stadium is unlikely to be completed until October. When, or if, the season starts the first games will probably have to be played behind closed doors. It might be possible to do that at Plough Lane as the pitch has been laid and looks in very good condition. Otherwise, we will need to find a temporary venue. Possibly Kingsmeadow, if Chelsea are willing.