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For fans with a passion for English football, there are so many alluring football stadiums to visit. From sampling the atmosphere at historical Premier League venues like Anfield, to following Wrexham’s rise at the Racecourse, there are some fantastic stadiums.
For many, AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane home is one of the best venues to take in a match, with the London-based clubs’ stadium receiving plenty of strong reviews since it opened in November 2020.
There are a plethora of stadiums to watch sport in England’s capital, but the Wombles’ home should be right at the top of your list.
Sure, you can watch Arsenal aim to win the title at the Emirates and even see American football at Wembley while tucking into American-themed grub and assessing the NFL odds before having a flutter, but Plough Lane serves up just as much fun despite the team playing in League Two, a competition that isn’t always known for offering top-notch entertainment.
Fan power in action
What makes AFC Wimbledon so special is the clubs’ story. Their new home is also well designed and looks great for the level they’re operating at, but the fact that fans funded it and they volunteer every match day makes it even more impressive. As soon as you spot the stadium while walking down Haydons Road, you’ll feel a real sense of community. That same community owns its football club.
The passionate supporters who attend matches were powerless to stop the old Wimbledon from moving to Milton Keynes but they’ve created a fan-powered team that is the envy of many. Fans are selling programmes, they’re volunteering with the clubs’ DLAG food bank charity, they’re interviewing players, working in the club shop, and even selling food.
Without fans at the forefront, AFC Wimbledon simply wouldn’t be where they are today. While many followers of Premier League clubs feel like customers, the supporters of fan-owned AFC Wimbledon are owners of their club.
Local businesses to support
With the Wombles now delighted to be back home in their local community after playing in nearby Kingston in their early years, there is a lovely atmosphere on offer at Plough Lane.
This is due to the fans that help create it and some toe-tapping offerings like live music being played in the stadium’s fantastic outside areas, but also because of the array of local businesses that rely on Plough Lane when it comes to conducting sales on a Saturday.
There are award-winning pies to demolish, stone baked pizzas to enjoy, and a selection of other independent offerings that serve up unique food that simply isn’t on offer in some of the country’s major stadiums.
While there are pre-packaged items on offer from official club food counters, it’s worth venturing outside into the Fan Zone to sample some stunning local treats and to support local businesses in the process.
The Wombles’ home form is strong
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Alongside the inspirational story that can be explored in more detail at Plough Lane’s excellent museum and by talking to some friendly Wombles themselves, visitors to Wimbledon’s home also need to be entertained.
After all, nobody wants to watch a drab 0-0 affair if they can help it, right? Well, with AFC Wimbledon aiming for promotion from League Two this season, the club is clearly hoping to make Plough Lane a fortress.
Already, the Dons are scoring plenty of goals and winning more often than not in front of their own fans, with players like Matty Stevens, Omar Bugiel, and Joe Pigott being more than capable of finding the back of the net when you attend.