Award Winning WiSH – Best Sporting History Organisation 2025
In just five years, Wimbledon in Sporting History has grown significantly alongside the evolving market. In this period, the organisation has opened the museum; developed heritage trails, both inside the stadium and across the borough; made three films, including a cartoon; published a book; staged a play; and is currently planning to transition all of its achievements into online offerings that are free at point of delivery worldwide. Read More here…
WiSH Joins Speedway Elite
Last month as a precursor to the Speedway statue unveiling at Plough Lane this coming Saturday, our project manager of that event Jon Stevens was joined by WiSH Managing Director John Lynch at a special event hosted by the World Speedway Riders Association in the beautiful settings of Hertfordshire Zoo. Read More here…
Strong Links Continue With Embassy Visit
Strong links have been forged over the years with our overseas fans. You may recall the hugely successful weekend we had back in February, you can find out more about that here. The year before, a large contingent of Boca Juniors supporters adopted our club as their second, largely down to the close resemblance between the two clubs’ home kits at that time. The links were further enhanced a few days before our Playoff Final success at Wembley Stadium. Read More here…
WiSH Annual Celebration Sees New VOTY, Past Players, And Goals!
This past Sunday saw a celebration of our national award. Yes, that’s right, Wimbledon In Sporting History is now recognised nationally. At the same time, we also were able to remember two legends of WiSH and what they brought to us – the Mick Pugh Challenge Cup was once again contested, and the Dennis Lowndes award was presented. Read More here…
Calling all artists, groups, schools, and graphic designers!
We are pleased to announce the formal start of an exclusive competition open to all, and a chance to be part of our ongoing future. More than 50 years ago, Wimbledon Football Club had a ground on Plough Lane. The Supporters Club was then based at The Sportsman pub on Durnsford Road. Read More here…
The Start Of An Event-ful Summer
Over the last weekend of April and the first one in May, Jon Stevens, our erstwhile Speedway fanatic who is heading up our event at the Stadium here on July 5 (info can be seen on the side of this page), was our man on the ground. Read More here…
Behind The Scenes Of YOUR Museum
Our museum is gaining recognition around the country and is the envy of many opposing teams that visit. The WiSH team of volunteers who help organise and design the displays do so with care and a thoughtfulness that all supporters would look after their collection or possessions. The difference is that these are all put together for everyone to enjoy. Read More here…
A Legendary Clean
It was noticed the mosaic of Mick the Miller, the famous greyhound that was symbolic of the sport at Wimbledon Stadium, was being damaged by Mother Nature. WiSH have a dedicated team that preserves our artifacts and heritage, so here is an update on how we solved this problem. Read More here…
WiSH Needs You!
WiSH is very keen to hear from individuals and people who have an interest in different sports (and more) within the Borough, that may be interested in getting involved with WiSH. Whether that be to give some of their time, knowledge or items of interest associated with these sports. Read More here…
Wombling Into Magazines (again)
We have previously covered how the International Weekend was received by all those who attended, and of course, appreciate all those that helped make it a great success. It is always welcomed when others from outside of the club also recognise the spirit of what we do at WiSH and how it brings us all together. So, it was again nice to see that Football Weekends magazine published a special feature on that weekend in its latest issue. Read More here…
WOPA helps honour our past on International Women’s Day
The tremendous work of Ray Armfield, head of Wimbledon Old Players Association (WOPA), has meant that so many of our former women’s team players have joined up an ever-increasing number of our past that get honoured. Read more here…
The Bare Naked Truth
Some of you with good vision and inquisitive minds may be wondering why there are bare naked ladies riding bicycles around a dirt track on our fantastic artwork on the site’s homepage. Of course, there will be some of you who may be able to figure out exactly what is going on.
If not, here is the story…
World Wide Success
You will have read about the great event that happened at the Club on the weekend of February 14/15. We have a selection of images from that weekend here… and a full feature will appear in the Bromley matchday programme.
Batsford Boys Add Their Seal Of Approval
The Batsford Boys Anniversary Dinner was a truly tremendous event that brought together the famous team from the now infamous 1975 FA Cup run, as well as other exploits on and off the pitch. See the full article here…
WiSH Helps Host The First Celebration Of Our The Clubs Overseas Supporters
On February 14/15 AFC Wimbledon hosted an event at the stadium that brought together fans of the club from around the world. WiSH were very much part of organising this, and also some additional help from WOPA who arranged a special guest for those two days, none other than popular goalkeeper Hans Segers. He can be seen in the video below, and for more information on the International Dons, please click this link…
Batsford Boys Dinner and Museum Opening Exhibits True Dons Spirit
Our WiSH club museum was officially reopened on Friday January 31 by Mo Batsford and club President Dickie Guy, I believe the pictures speak for themselves, an incredible effort from all the WiSH volunteers involved in rescuing items from the flood to building new cabinets and then bringing it back to life. Read more here…
WiSH rises from the flood – The Museum Grand Re-Opening
Bigger, Brighter, Better and Back with a Bang.
A Whole New Museum for Wimbledon’s Heritage.
After an incredible effort and support from all the WiSH Volunteers, AFC Wimbledon, Sponsors and Partners, we’ve gone from wading through muddy water, carrying all of the artefacts up three flights of stairs to put into storage. Through to presenting a whole new offering and heritage experience…Read more…
Batsford 50th Anniversary Reunion Dinner and Auction
AFC Wimbledon is hosting an extra special event on Friday 31 January with true Wimbledon greats to be reunited for a celebration of THAT match versus Leeds United in 1975.
For Wimbledon fans back then and Dons who wish to find out more about a unique time in our history, it’ll be an unforgettable night. Read more…
The Future Is Bright
WiSH currently has many projects on the go. Some are being completed now, others are long-term that we will see completed in the coming months and years….Read more here…
The Dons Are Back!
Wimbledon In Sporting History has been working alongside the Speedway community, more notably those that still have strong connections to the Wimbledon “Dons” to help preserve and curate their history at Plough Lane.
This interest has meant that some have wondered if the Wimbledon racing fraternity will ever return to inner London. Well, wonder no more! Read more here…
WiSH Needs You
WiSH need your help as we move into a new phase. There are lots of ways you can help us which are highlighted in the image below. Something for everyone, and many more ways to help. If this is something you can do, or know of anyone that could help, please get in touch.
Going to the Dogs
Recently WiSH helped to premiere a film that encapsulates a big part of the history at the stadium site. Greyhound Racing was one of the countries top attractions and Wimbledon Stadium was a top track to visit. The film has many contributions from people that either worked in the industry or were an avid attendee. Read more about it here…
The Greatest Team Exclusive Jigsaw Puzzle
WiSH have the perfect gift for the Dons fans in your family and friends group! Or to just treat yourself. Stock is now available, and ready to order from our shop on the link below. Hurry though as stock is limited and expected to sell quickly!!
Merton Heritage Discovery Day
WiSH is proud to be part of the Merton Heritage Discovery Day once again. Please, if you are able, attend this event that showcases all that is wonderful in and around our marvellous area. We hope to be able to have a Womble or two in attendance as well!
Womble Till I Die Book
Niall Couper was present to launch his new book in association with WiSH at the Heritage Weekend at the end of June this year. It is an amazing tome, and fans of not just our club, but all sports, will be inspired by the stories inside this fantastic book. Even our beloved Wombles, Wandle and Haydon were impressed – it’s certainly not litter! Click on the link below to order your copy now!
Heritage Weekend Review
At the end of June the club hosted a fantastic weekend showcasing our amazing history. There were talks, and book launches, and of course a fabulous reworking of a play written by lifelong fan Matthew Couper. You can read more about the weekend here, and watch the video recapping some of the great work below.
The Coronation Big Help Out! Come along for this great day, and be part of this community event.
“A Fans Club – Birth Of A Phoenix”
WiSH helps with Seedrs project
Th Seedrs investors rewards are finally being put into place in and around the stadium. This has been a while in the making and the WiSH team recognised that, so offered to help the club with planning and installation. Read more here…
The Wombles are back – Saturday 9th July 2022
Our supporters are combining to reinforce a Wimbledon connection that turns back the clock to the 1970s by unveiling a lasting legacy to the Wombles – and here at our Plough Lane home! Read More here…
Volunteer Opportunities – Come and Join us!
The WiSH team is ever expanding as we grow from strength to strength. Can you help out? Details of our exciting roles can be found here…
Review of Celebrating 150 History on the Common Day
150 years of sporting history on Wimbledon Common was celebrated on Sunday 22nd May, with WiSH once again at the heart of the local festivities. Football is just one of the sports with roots on the Common; rugby, golf, long distance running, and horse-riding are among those to have been long linked with the Common, and all were represented and celebrated in this hugely popular day of sporting displays, stalls, and activities. Read More here…
Family Fun Day – May 15th Review
WiSH was delighted to play a pivotal role in organising AFC Wimbledon’s Family Fun Day at the Plough Lane stadium on Sunday May 15th – sharing and celebrating Wimbledon’s rich sporting history with the thousands of visitors who turned up to enjoy the day despite the rain. Read More here…
True Volunteer Foundation and Common Ground
In 2012, True Volunteer Foundation (TVF), an international award winning non-governmental organisation, launched an ambitious sporting programme in the London Borough of Merton. To enable this project, TVF partnered with a number of local sporting organisations including AFC Wimbledon. Read more and watch the Common Ground film here
TICKETS!! A Fans Club – Revisited
Wimbledon in Sporting History (WiSH) and the Colour House are co-producing a new version of A Fans’ Club written by Matthew Couper. Reserve tickets to see A Fans’ Club, a story of betrayal, loss, new beginnings, and football. Read More and reserve tickets here…
Four new heritage installations at AFC Wimbledon
