“So far we've mostly concentrated on retaining as many of last season's promotion squad as possible”

As AFC Wimbledon prepare for their first season back in League One since 2021-22, Ray Armfield joins us for a chat

Jul 09, 2025

Wednesday 9 July 2025

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THE SCARF MY FATHER WORE 2025-26 CALENDAR: Having been to all 56 County games this season, I’ve taken thousands of photos. I’ve put together calendars for next season, featuring some of my favourite photos from the last year, plus some other County bits and bobs. £10 each. Get in touch if you’d like one.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, AFC Wimbledon supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

AFC Wimbledon are back in the third tier this season after beating Walsall in the play-off final at Wembley in May, with former Hatter Myles Hippolyte scoring the winner. Ray Armfield has written loads of great stuff for us in the past, and he’s back with more words on the Wombles today.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Impact Pro Clean. A big thank you to Nigel. If you need any exterior cleaning services, you’ll get a 15% discount by quoting “County”. Call 07709 883239 or email impactprocleanltd@gmail.com.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Myles Hippolyte scored Wimbledon’s winner at Wembley in May (Photo credit: AFC Wimbledon)

Last win at our place: Monday 1 April 2024, League Two, 1-0

Last win at their place: Saturday 9 September 2023, League Two, 2-1

Today’s Ladbrokes title/promotion odds: County: 12/1 7/2 AFC Wimbledon: 100/1 25/1

Top story in the local news today: ‘Campaigners rally outside High Court over review into plans to extend Wimbledon’

Luton away on the opening day. Huddersfield at home on the final day. Thoughts?

Tough fixtures, but then most of them are looking tough right now. Maybe a good time to catch Luton before they've properly warmed up as I see them winning the division. And Huddersfield won't be far behind them either.

Which team do you most want to beat this season?

The first one. Because we may have to be patient until it happens.

We’re all from Stockport, who the fuck are you?

If you’re singing that, we’ll probably respond with a verse or two from our “Champagne Song” – which has caused some pearl-clutching and tutting by club officials on more than one occasion over the years. But then it does start: “We drink champagne, we snort cocaine, we've got ladies over here. You've got shit jobs, you shag your dogs and your wife is on the game…”

There’s been a little bit of controversy at Glastonbury this summer. What’s the worst song/chant Wimbledon fans have ever sung?

Last year's Glastonbury was memorable for seeing an AFC Wimbledon flag flying above Jo Whiley's head as she was presenting coverage on the BBC. Aside from the “Champagne Song” mentioned previously, anyone who has ever entered Luton's away end at Kenilworth Road will have had the footbridge walk over someone's back garden seared into their retinas, so perhaps "We can see you, we can see you, we can see you in the bath..."

In terms of your summer transfer business so far, where have Wimbledon been shopping?

So far we've mostly concentrated on retaining as many of last season's promotion squad as possible, so securing Ali Smith and Marcus Browne seems a sensible move. We've had a recent habit of loanee goalkeepers polished up by our goalkeeping coach Ashley Bayes which as well as being a cheap option has increased his and our reputation as a good club to place players, so capturing Nathan Bishop on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee from Sunderland as our new number one was rather eye-opening. Given our club ownership structure, I guess we're shopping at the Co-op.

Which Wimbledon player is most likely to end up in League One’s team of the season?

None of the current ones I'd imagine.

Which former Wimbledon player is most likely to come back and bite you on the arse this season?

Possibly Josh Neufville, now at Bradford City. Our 2024-25 Player of the Year and often all of our attacking threat came through him. We haven't replaced him. Yet.

I’m a member of the Stockport Sippers Society, who always enjoy a trip away every season. Last year we had a fantastic weekend in Exeter. Why should we choose Wimbledon for a couple of nights this season?

We have a new-ish stadium which may appeal if you've not yet visited. Our club museum (one of only 18 in the 92, 10 of which are Premier League clubs) has bounced back from September's stadium flood brighter and bolder than ever. There's the tennis down the road, along with some nice (if pricey) local pubs. Wimbledon Village is rather well-heeled but worth a spot of people watching, with a few celebrity residents. Stuart Broad being a recent arrival.

Spud Bros have been all over social media recently after sponsoring Preston’s shirts. If you could choose any food place in Wimbledon to be on the front of your shirts, what would you go for?

It would have to be MyPie. Run by Australian Chris Brumby, it’s the most popular offering among many in our matchday fanzone. We've turned him into a fan too. He was at Wembley for our play-off final in May.

What’s your early predictions for promotion and relegation in League One?

I've answered in another publication that I see the top six as Luton, Huddersfield, Cardiff, Blackpool, Bolton and Wycombe. I predicted us to finish 20th. Hopefully above Burton, Northampton, Mansfield and Port Vale.

“AFC Wimbledon is a fan-founded football club that rose from the ashes of the original Wimbledon FC, embodying community spirit, resilience, and a remarkable journey back into the English Football League.” That’s what artificial intelligence said about you. Decent summary?

Yes.

The world’s absolutely fucked at the moment. If you could choose one person at your club to sort everything out, who would you go for?

Would have to be Mandy B who works in the club office. Universally liked, she regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty and fans often get swift replies to e-mail queries late at night or early in the morning. A few years ago a number of fans clubbed together to pay for a holiday for her and her family. She's a star.

And finally, if World War 3 breaks out in November while County fans are in Wimbledon, where’s the best place for us to hide?

Probably deep down in South Wimbledon tube station, but given our relative paucity in front of goal, I'd say in the back of the opposition net because nothing much ends up in there…

➡️ Click on the links below for the other season previews we’ve published so far.

Bolton / Huddersfield / Lincoln

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Photo of the day

Plough Lane, Wimbledon

Will Collar scored County’s winner on our last trip to Wimbledon, back in September 2023.

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all night at The Cross Keys (SK8).

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Queens (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6) or The Three Tunnes (SK7).