My first trip to Kingsmeadow

I gave up a weekend of my life to see AFC play for the first time. I watched them grind out a one-nil victory against Feltham, a side that seemed still to be playing for a draw, even after they had conceded the goal. All the corner flags were at 45 degree angles due to the gales and the rain was coming down sideways. All these things I miss in California.

I arrived on the Friday morning and, after freshening up and getting my fix of the AFC message boards at an Internet Cafe in Kingston, I went over to Pete Baker's place to pick up some material he was donating for use on this site. I met his crazy dog and equally crazy parrot who can allegedly sing AFC Wimbledon. I can't think why they are so crazy - they couldn't possibly take after their owner. Thanks Pete!

Saturday started with a visit to Fat Boys, as I had arranged to meet a few of the W&WW guest-bookers therein. Met Paul R, BigFatCat and others over breakfast. I can only apologize for the names I have missed as I am getting old and my memory is failing.

Suitably refreshed, it was into the back bar for the Dons Trust meeting. Enjoyed the meeting - couldn't help seeing the irony in the suggestion to paint half the seats blue and half red. I managed to stop myself suggesting someone feed the Pigeons a diet of blackberries and wait for them to organically change the seats colours to blue.

Met a whole host of W&WW tags before the game, Stilez, The Black Knight, Nicole, Essex Womble, Ronan, Charlie, Leamington Pete, Tudor, Pete, 1346, HP, 2Shirts, Kris, Ivor, Sandy Lawrence, Ferret, Old Isthmian, Niall, The Pope, Cho, Hubs, Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo, Bert, Herbie K and I'm sure loads more. My minds eye had made two notable errors - I imagined Ferret to be a guy (sorry Lou) and Sandy a girl. Thankfully, I hadn't developed a crush on the latter.

Bought 50 quids (sorry, no pound sign on my keyboard) worth of shirts, hats, books and stickers and was escorted into the ground. I was introduced to the WDON team and I genuinely felt that I should go back into the bar and set my laptop up so I could listen to the commentary - I was about to miss my first Saturday WDON broadcast and it didn't seem right.

After a quick handshake with TE and suitable words of encouragement (what a nice chap - didn't swear once) I pressed my newly purchased Dons titfor into action and took up my place on the terraces. The game commenced with the Dons kicking into what seemed like at least a force ten gale. I had brought my camera and was hoping to get a snap of my first ever AFC goal

My first attempt during an early Dons attack was less than encouraging.

I was glad that this goalmouth scramble didn't lead to a goal as it would have taken some supreme Photoshop work to airbrush out Seb Favata.

A Coops Penalty - this is it!! What can go wrong? I composed it, framed it, focused it, timed it - then the bugger saved it.

At that point, I put away my camera and have decided not to pursue a career in sports photography. I confronted Coops in the bar afterwards and showed him the evidence. He apologized and said he didn't know what happened - he normally puts them the other side :)

A Bolger header in the second half put the Dons in front, and, after waiting so long to see my first AFC game, I spent the rest of the game willing for it to end. A typical hard-fought, dour winters game of football that I wouldn't have missed for the world.

I then retired to the bar to warm up and meet more new friends. I seem to remember being dragged up on stage to meet Harvey - not sure why as the alcohol was starting to kick in by that stage. I hope I didn't say anything dreadful as I am sure I was holding a microphone at one point.

To sum up my day - met a whole heap of new friends. Chatted as an equal with the chairman, the manager, the man of the match and anyone who is anyone within the Dons Trust and WISA. Gently chided Kevin Cooper for missing my first ever AFC goal. Did I have a good day? Answers on a postcard please......

The Club have been called Old Centrals, Wimbledon Borough, Wimbledon FC and now AFC Wimbledon - they have been promoted and relegated with regularity and they have played at half a dozen or so grounds. Over its 115 year history,  players, staff and supporters have come and gone. The only constant is 'The Club'

Having seen the set up at Kingsmeadow I have come to the following conclusion. Only the team, the name, the league place and the deadwood went to Milton Keynes. The Club is in the best shape it's been in since leaving Plough Lane - it's in the right hands and it's going in the right direction.

Flying over from Los Angeles to see the Dons isn't such a big thing. Three days out of my life? How many days of your lives have you guys given up for the Dons? Awesome.

Thank you, one and all, for keeping the dream alive.

Dave Hambly - Burbank, CA