Flooding at AFC Wimbledon
It’s been an extremely challenging week for our client, AFC Wimbledon, following the recent flooding
More than 100,000 litres of water has been pumped out of AFC Wimbledon's flooded Plough Lane home. The pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium has suffered "significant damage" after the nearby River Wandle broke its banks on Sunday night.
Flooding at Plough Lane
AFC Wimbledon faced a significant setback when their Plough Lane ground was flooded with over 100,000 litres of water due to the River Wandle breaking its banks following heavy rainfall. The flooding left the "entire stadium" underwater, including the pitch, concourse, and ground floor areas, causing substantial damage. As a result, the pitch was deemed unsafe for play, and immediate remedial action was required.
Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round match against Newcastle United was postponed and moved to St James's Park on 1 October. Additionally, the club’s League Two match against Crewe Alexandra was postponed, and efforts are underway to find an alternative venue for the next league game against Accrington Stanley. The flooding has disrupted AFC Wimbledon's early-season momentum and forced them into finding rapid solutions to maintain their fixture schedule.
Natural Disaster & Damage
The flooding was a result of unusual weather patterns, as central and southern England experienced more than a month’s worth of rain over just Sunday and Monday. This caused the River Wandle to overflow, marking the first time it has broken its banks since the 1960s. Images of the pitch show areas of exposed sand, particularly around one of the corner flags, revealing the extent of the surface damage.
Managing Director James Woodroof indicated that diggers were set to arrive at the stadium to excavate and repair the pitch. He characterised the flooding as a natural disaster and expressed concern about the damage beneath the surface, which may have been caused by the excessive water pressure. The club is now investigating the full extent of the damage and planning extensive repairs to restore the pitch and facilities to a safe and playable condition.
Fundraising and Community Support
In response to the flooding, AFC Wimbledon’s fanbase quickly rallied to support the club. A JustGiving page was created by Wimbledon fan Graham Stacey, aiming to raise £10,000 to help repair the damage caused by the flooding. The fundraiser saw a strong response, raising over £100,000 quickly, with additional support coming from the wider football community.
Newcastle United, AFC Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup opponents, pledged £15,000 towards the relief effort, showing solidarity and support. Woodroof expressed deep gratitude for the donations and highlighted the resilient community spirit that defines the club. He emphasised that the relentless resilience and support of the fans would help the club overcome this challenging period and rebuild stronger.
Insurance & Fixture Solutions
Fortunately, AFC Wimbledon has insurance coverage for both the stadium and the pitch, and the club is actively working with their insurers to navigate the recovery process. Woodroof confirmed that they are committed to finding solutions quickly to restore normality.
Despite efforts to move the League Two game against Accrington Stanley to another venue, logistical issues have ruled out playing it at Accrington's ground. Consequently, the club is in talks with local clubs to potentially borrow a ground for the fixture and is working closely with the EFL to finalise a solution.
In addition to securing a venue for the rescheduled games, Woodroof also encouraged Newcastle fans to attend the rearranged Carabao Cup tie at St James's Park, as the gate revenue would be shared, helping AFC Wimbledon financially during this difficult time.
Peter Watts Rockvolt MD
"It’s been a challenging week at Plough Lane, but the resilience of everyone involved with AFC Wimbledon has truly shone through. By all teams pulling together – from staff to players to the loyal supporters – we’ve faced these difficulties head-on.
The fantastic support from the wider footballing community has been uplifting and reinforces our belief that we’ll bounce back stronger than ever. It’s moments like this that show the character of the club, and as always, AFC Wimbledon will overcome this adversity with determination and unity."
