AFC Wimbledon provide update as second match is postponed after sinkhole damage
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AFC Wimbledon have confirmed that their match with Accrington Stanley has been postponed despite tankers removing more than 100,000 litres of water from their Plough Lane pitch this week.
An enormous sinkhole opened up on the waterlogged turf at the Dons’ home ground after heavy rainfall in the capital on Sunday night.
Extensive flooding in the area – caused by the River Wandle breaking its banks – also damaged the club’s offices, retail store and museum.
It’s understood repairs to AFC Wimbledon's stadium could cost up to £1million.
Wimbledon’s Carabao Cup third-round tie with Newcastle was subsequently pushed back to October 1, which resulted in the club’s League Two clash with Crewe – due to take place that day – also being postponed.
On Wednesday it was confirmed that Wimbledon’s league contest with Accrington Stanley, originally set to take place this Saturday, had met the same fate.
Wimbledon had hoped to stage their encounter with Accrington at another stadium but a ‘viable alternative’ has not been found – and a new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.
‘Despite significant efforts at AFC Wimbledon in the last 48 hours, it has not been possible to secure a viable alternative ground for Saturday,’ a statement on Wimbledon’s website read.
‘With huge regret, the EFL have therefore postponed the match versus Accrington Stanley.
‘Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, with more details to follow in due course.’
A crowdfunding page, set up by a Wimbledon fan named Graham Stacey, had aimed to raise £50,000 to help fix the extensive damage to the waterlogged pitch at Plough Lane, officially named the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
At the time of writing, donations have surpassed £103,000, with Premier League giants Newcastle – the team Wimbledon had been due to face – pledging £15,000 to the cause.
In a statement on their website, the League Two outfit confirmed that a comedy fundraiser will go ahead as planned on Friday evening.
‘More than 100,000 litres of water was removed from the grounds late on Monday night via tankers. Since then, several independent experts have been on site to inspect the pitch at surface level,’ the statement read.
‘Meanwhile, club staff and volunteers have begun the clean-up operation at ground level including the shop, museum, offices and tunnel area. Johnnie Jackson and his coaching staff visited the stadium yesterday to inspect the damage and speak with staff on site.
‘Since 6am this morning, diggers have begun the excavation of the pitch area. All stadium staff have returned to work, ahead of the reopening of the stadium planned for Friday, with our comedy fundraising evening proceeding as planned.
‘We have been overwhelmed by generous financial contributions from Wimbledon supporters, and supporters of a number of other clubs, to the Justgiving page established by supporter Graham Stacey. Donations now stand at £100,000 from more than 2,000 donors – including a significant donation from Newcastle United.
‘From everyone at the Club, thank you to each and every person and organisation who has done so. We are eternally grateful. Come on you Dons!’
Wimbledon sealed their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup with a penalty-shootout victory over Ipswich last month.
Johnnie Jackson’s men sit fifth in League Two after a promising start to the campaign, winning four of their opening six games.
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