News

WiSH NEWS

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…

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…

A Fans Story – 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…

Wimbledon and Putney Common – Celebration Games Day

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Act of Parliament that created Wimbledon and Putney Commons, a historic Games Day will be held at the Windmill on 22nd May 2022. Read More…

Wombles From The Lane – An Oral History

This Sunday 15 May sees the special premiere of Wombles From The Lane – An Oral History. This was created by digital-works, an Arts and Education charity, alongside our fantastic volunteers and fans. Read More…

Tidy Your Room!

It’s amazing what one remembers as a youngster. There were happy memories like  the moment as my parents carried me off the plane the first time. I set foot in Sri Lanka faced with a wall of heat I have never experienced since. Read More…

WiSH Timeline Launch

Wimbledon in Sporting History was delighted on March 26th to spearhead the latest heritage offering in Merton, with the unveiling of a number of exciting, creative installations at the AFC Wimbledon stadium. Read More…

Sporting history will be coming to Plough Lane this Saturday

Sporting history will again be coming to Plough Lane this Saturday, March 26th, when after months of planning and creative work, WiSH will be unveiling its long awaited footballing timeline in the main West Stand corridor of the AFC WImbledon stadium. Read More…

Stadium Timeline Project – Opening Ceremony

After months of campaigning, planning and designing, Wimbledon in Sporting History was proud to unveil on January 15th the first part of AFC Wimbledon’s heritage timeline in the main concourse of the West Stand at the Plough Lane stadium. Read More…

A chance to be get media trained for the Wombles from the Lane project

Are you interested in capturing the history of Wimbledon Football? Would you like to be part of a team uncovering the hidden stories from the club’s past? Read More…

A unique WiSH Christmas offer: “Home” Limited Edition Print £29.95

Thanks to generous support from Optima Medical, WiSH has been able to purchase the originalpainting of “Home” by local artist Daniel McFall, which will be displayed in the stadium. Read More…

100 Academy players undertake Plough Lane Stadium tour

Approximately 100 Academy players ranging from the 8-16 years of age undertook a 2 hour programme to help them understand what it means to represent AFC Wimbledon. Read More…

AFC Wimbledon Ladies first match at Plough Lane

In the build up to AFC Wimbledon ladies first match at Plough Lane on Sunday, WiSH have met the drivers behind the Ladies’ football understanding their past, where they are now and where they hope to get to. Read More…

My Wimbledon Moment

The AFC Wimbledon first team and staff have, for the first time ever, taken part in an exclusive 10- part Mocumentary which will be screened daily live on YouTube Read More…

First ever Stadium Tour

On Saturday 2nd October 2021, Plough Lane witnessed its first ever stadium tour. Read More…

The Greatest Story Exhibition – Opening Ceremony

On Sunday 5th September, following 3 years of planning, The Greatest Story exhibition was officially opened by Maureen Batsford (President) and Dickie Guy (WiSH Vice-President). Please click here for full details on how you can visit the exhibition. Read More…

Womble History at Merton Heritage

Wimbledon in Sporting History provided a moment of Womble history at Merton Heritage Day Read More…

The Greatest Story Exhibition

WiSH will be launching on September 5th an exciting exhibition at the Plough Lane Stadium, called “The Greatest Story” Read More…

FOOTBALL PUBLICATIONS

The “We are Winners” Wall

Wimbledon in Sporting History was delighted before the Cambridge game on March 26 to unveil four more exciting heritage installations in the cherry red records stadium – with a number of club legends present to witness the launch of these eye-catching celebrations of “The Greatest Story in Football”. The four must-see displays, including our long-planned timeline, are the result of another one club initiative involving WiSH, AFC Wimbledon and the Dons trust: Read More…

Another milestone in WiSH’s Heritage

Today marks another Milestone in WiSH’s heritage Work at plough lane, as Timeline Project manager Matthew couper explains. Read More…

Peter leng, reflects on a year at wish

Wimbledon in Sporting History Board trustee and head of Comms, peter leng, reflects on A year at WiSH. Read More…

Dates for the diary 2022

Hot on the heels of the launch of The Greatest Story Exhibition room, our stadium tours, the honours boards and heritage displays being installed in the stadium’s reception area, the Nutcracker cut out board, the stunning fans Womble Til I Die mosaic – we’ve pulled together some key dates for the year ahead when we’ll be delivering yet more exciting heritage projects to celebrate and share AFC Wimbledon’s fascinating history. Read More…

TGS manager, Rebecca Hamlin, recounts WiSH’s growing record of Wimbledon’s footballing memorabilia

WiSH’s growing record of Wimbledon’s footballing and sporting history is filling more and more space in the greatest story (TGS) exhibition room – and now in other parts of the stadium too – as TGS manager, Rebecca Hamlin, recounts. Read More…

It’s a wombling new year at wimbledon in sporting History

It’s a wombling New Year at Wimbledon in Sporting History, which is spearheading two exciting projects: To record our club’s fascinating history – and it’s musical talent! Read More…

Marcus beresford – son of the wombles creator talks wombles and WiSH

Marcus Beresford – son of the wombles creator, elisabeth beresford – talks wombles, wish and wimbledon football as wimbledon in sporting history looks forward to several exciting wombles projects coming in 2022. Read More…

Matt Couper shares his opinion about the stadium timeline project

Last autumn, we launched a big drive to raise £12,000 to fund the installation of a heritage timeline in the stadium – and that installation is now physically taking shape as our timeline project manager, matt couper, tells us. Read More…

Mick pugh and his son, run the Wimbledon old players association

Mick Pugh and his son, Alex, run the wimbledon old players association and work closely with wish, maintaining those vital links with the players and managers who have played their crucial parts in giving us our incredibly rich history. Here are Mick’s reflections… Read More…

A WiSH Xmas extravaganza

A WiSH Xmas extravaganza comming soon: the alternative “nutcracker” and “home” painting. Read More…

Tales from when wimbledon were the FA cup non-league underdogs

Wombling and haggis at Leeds 1875: Tales from when Wimbledon were the FA cup non-league underdogs. Read More…

Explore the history of AFC Wimbledon

Would you like to be a part of a team exploring the history of AFC Wimbledon. Read More…

What’s next on the WiSH list?

Looking ahead for this season, WiSH have a number of other heritage projects in the pipeline, working with multiple partners to bring these to life. Read More…

Stadium tours – now up and running!

Stadium tours – now up and running! Read More…

The stadium timeline with Matthew Couper

Be a part of the grestest story – stadium timeline. Heritage stadium group lead Matthew Couper tells all about the organisation’s latest exciting project. Read More…

A Celebration with Matt Couper

Heritage stadium group lead Matt Couper outlines some early plans for celebrating our rich history around Plough Lane – and also has a date for your diaries. Read More…

Back Home with Roger Hobkinson

WiSH Head of strategy Rodger Hobkinson reflects on his involvement with both the club and the stadium development Read More…

Everyone’s a Winner with John Lynch

In the edition of an ongoing series explaninging the aims and journeys of WiSH (Wimbledon in Sporting History), John Lynch tells BTPL about the role and the importance of building partnerships Read More…

The Collaborative Opportunity with Sarah Gould, Merton Council

Wider partners of WiSH explain their roles and outline the collaborative opportunities that can deliver a unique heritage trail Read More…

It’s Coming Home

Wimbledon’s heritage is coming home! Read More…

Making a WiSH with Ray Armfield

The history of our club is both amazing and complex – as the flowchart below will tell you! Ray Armfield outlines how a group of fans have come together with the aim of telling and sharing it Read More…

Merton Heritage Day with Sarah Gould Merton Council

Sarah Gould, heritage officer for the london borough of merton, outlines an important upcoming event in our local community Read More…

New Signings Featuring Peter & Anuk

The transfer window may be closed but that hasn’t stopped WiSH adding two new faces to their team in Peter Leng and Anuk Teasdale Read More…

Operation WiSH with Rhys Torrington

WiSH head of operations, Rhys Torrington, introduces himself and outlines some of his exciting plans for the museum Read More…

Remembering Les Brown by Michael Padmanathan

Managing director and vice chairman of WiSH Michael Padmanathan recalls when he met former wimbledon player Les Brown in the confines of a steam room Read More…

The Grand Opening with Rebecca Hamlin

Rebecca Hamlin is manager of the new club “museum” opening on 5th September and welcomes all to share in this exciting new opportunity to explore and celebrate the rich history of AFC Wimbledon in its many incarnations since 1889 Read More…

The Magnificent 7 with John Lynch

WiSH head of partnerships and development John Lynch takes us through the works that are in motion in celebration of Wimbledon Football History Read More…

The Museum with Chris Hutchinson

WiSH of volunteering Chris Hutchinson introduces himself and outlines a number of opportunities Read More…

The Right Environment Featuring Mark Robinson

Managing director and vice chairman of WiSH Michael Padmanathan discusses the importance of creating the right environment Read More…

Wombles from the Lane with Matthew Rosenberg

Matthew Rosenberg from arts and education charity digital-works talks about plans to run a community-based project to explore the history of AFC Wimbledon Read More…

WOPA and WiSH with Mick Pugh

Wimbledon old players association (WOPA) have aligned with WiSH. Here, secretary Mick Pugh outlines their work Read More…