“Original” Wimbledon´s Cup runneth out

Their illustrious footballing forebears won the trophy in 1988, famously dispatching Liverpool in the final – but the reincarnation of that Wimbledon team saw their FA Cup run come to an end in the first round on Monday.

AFC Wimbledon, formed in 2002 by fans of the old Wimbledon – which relocated to Milton Keynes to become MK Dons – lost 4-1 at home to League Two promotion contenders Wycombe.

Having started off six years ago by advertising for players to come and train on Wimbledon Common AFC Wimbledon are now gunning for promotion from the non-league Blue Square South, the sixth tier of the English game having come through last year from the seventh-level Isthmian League Premier Division.

But any dreams the club harbour of one day emulating the original Wimbledon's climb out of the non-league game to the top flight and Wembley will have to wait another year after Wycombe proved a class apart.

Matt Harrold netted a first-half brace to put the visitors in command and although Sam Hatton gave AFC a glimmer of hope as they tried to pull off a shock in their first meeting against league opposition Matt Phillips made it 3-1 on the hour before Harrold completed his hat-trick.

The original Wimbledon created some of the greatest chapters in FA Cup history by first ousting then top flight giants Burnley away in the third round in 1975 – the first home loss a non-league outfit had inflicted on a first division side in the 20th Century.

Goalkeeper Dickie Guy – now AFC Wimbledon's chairman – then saved a penalty at Elland Road as the minnows held then mighty Leeds, who were reigning league champions, before the Yorkshire side edged the replay.

Within nine years of being elected to the Football League the “Dons” were in the top flight and remained there for 14 seasons.

They enjoyed their finest hour in the 1988 FA Cup final, when keeper Dave Beasant saved a penalty from John Aldridge and Lawrie Sanchez scored the winner as Wimbledon completed a rags to riches tale.

But ultimately the bubble burst following relegation in 2000 and the club moved to Milton Keynes, prompting the core of their fans to create a new club from nothing.

Milton Keynes Dons won promotion to League One last season under Paul Ince, who then moved to take the Blackburn Rovers hotseat.