1891
1891-92

So, season three got under way, and controversy was soon to follow. It came in the match against Kingston Wanderers on December 13. The Wanderers were 1-0 up but Wimbledon were fighting back. It was, however, getting dark. It was in the fading light that a Wimbledon boot met ball, and over the line it went. The referee never saw it, heated debate followed and the ref declared he couldn't give a decision either way, as it was far too dark.

Wimbledon were furious, their good start to the season tarnished by an obviously short-sighted man in the middle. So off to The Welcome pub they went for the following Friday's general meeting, determined to put the record straight. Rayment was again in the chair and he put it to the vote. "Gentlemen," he would have said, "did, or did not, the ball cross the line?" Nine team members said it did, and that was sufficient. The result against Kingston was duly changed to a 1-1 draw.

There were other matters to discuss, though, and, most importantly, the Old Centrals decided they were strong enough to form a reserve team. Disagreements with officialdom aside, this was to be a cracking season for Wimbledon. In 23 matches, they rattled in 50 goals, only conceding 11, winning 14 and drawing 6. Pelham, Kingston Institute and Gordon 'B' were the only sides to record victories over Wimbledon, and even then Wimble­don gained their revenge over the latter, with two resounding wins.

The Independent was positively glowing. "The Old 'Dons have put a lot of life into their play," the end of term report read, "and I must again compliment them on their very successful consummation of an exceptionally brilliant season." Fine praise, indeed, and The Independent also managed to take the sting out of the other two defeats.

"The number of goals scored against Wimbledon by Pelham and Kingston Institute were almost infinitesimal," it concluded. The scribe behind this tribute signed himself ‘Centre Forward,' and he was something of a wit.