AFC Wimbledon fans back at Plough Lane
(Picture: Getty Images)AFC Wimbledon fans made an emotional return to Plough Lane for the first time since the stadium opened in November.
Wimbledon FC originally played their games at Plough Lane from 1912 until 1991 before entering a ground-share with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
When the club moved 70 miles north to Milton Keynes and rebranded as MK Dons, fans created a breakaway team in 2002 - and a long-standing dream was for the club return to play in their spiritual home of south-west London.
That dream was realised when the new Plough Lane - 200 yards away from the original stadium site - opened in November 2020, though the coronavirus pandemic meant fans were unable to attend matches... until now.
The easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday allowed a percentage of fans (based on capacity) to return to stadiums around England, and 2,000 supporters were finally able to watch their team at Plough Lane.
AFC Wimbledon took on Liverpool Under-23s on Tuesday evening in a friendly arranged as a test event for the return for fans to the stadium.
As fans welcomed the players onto the pitch, a rainbow filled the sky above the stadium.
While Liverpool may have run out 3-1 winners, the scoreline was of little importance for fans who were celebrating their team back on their home turf in south-west London.
AFC Wimbledon fan Alice Dunnett, 87, went to the match with her husband Sid, told the club’s website of her return: "Wonderful, wonderful. I first stepped into Plough Lane 30 years ago.
"My dream was to come back here one day but I never thought I’d live long enough to see this day.
“My wish has been granted."
