This is the third away ground I've seen matches between Pompey and 'Wimbledon' having also visited Plough Lane and Selhurst Park in the past.
I've always known the ground AFC Wimbledon now share with Kingstonian as 'Kingsmeadow' (the local area being a bit of an old stomping ground for me). However, its official title is: The Cherry Red Records Fans' Stadium Kingsmeadow.
I parked up in New Malden and walked to the ground, which took about 15 minutes.
There were Pompey fans stood on the John Smith's [or East] Terrace (where I was) and sat in the Paul Strank Stand. It was ten pounds to stand.
The matchday programme was a pound and covered AFC Wimbledon's pre-season home matches against Pompey and Preston North End on July 31st.
After the match I noticed that the two bars behind The Paul Strank Stand were doing a reasonably good trade, not bad from a crowd of just under 1,600 on the night [approx. 800 Pompey fans]. Bars are obviously an important part of football club budgets at this level.
I have nothing but admiration for AFC Wimbledon, which is owned by The Dons Trust, and what they have achieved in a relatively short space of time to get back to playing in the Football League.
If any Pompey fan ever had any doubts about Trust membership then they need look no further than AFC Wimbledon to see what can be achieved with drive and determination, belief and passion, hard work and dedication.
That's not to say the day-to-day struggles of running a football club become any easier, just reading the programme notes of Erik Samuelson, AFC Wimbledon's Chief Executive, titled Tightening Belts and Salary Caps give a small but fascinating insight in to what is involved.
Here are a few pictures I took during and after the match of the ground. Enjoy.
[The AFC Wimbledon] Welcome!
View of the Tempest End (home fans' terrace) from the John Smith's [East] Terrace (away fans).
View of the Paul Strank Stand (seating) from the John Smith's Terrace.
The Kingston Road End Stand currently under construction and due to open on August 18th. Looks like it might be a 'big ask' and the Chief Executive acknowledged that in the matchday programme indicating that contingency plans were in place in case it wasn't ready for AFC Wimbledon'w first league game.
Post-match view of the Tempest End and the corner of The Paul Strank Stand.
The back of the John Smith's [East] Terrace, post-match, from outside the ground.
The Kingston Road End Stand floodlights, post-match, from outside of the ground.
The floodlights were attracting a few bugs on what was a warm, Summer evening!
BlueThruAndThru
