1. We’ve only gone and Don it: AFC
Wimbledon players celebrate promotion
GETTING FIT
HEALTHY EVENTS AND
BANK HOLIDAY FUN
See page 6
MOUNTAIN GIRL
EVA’S IN PEAK
CONDITION
See page 3
TRAGIC GAME
CORONER’S OPEN
VERDICT ON HANGING
See page 5
wimbledonguardian.co.uk June 2, 2016 60p
DONS ON THE UP
Dreams come true for Wembley wonders
SPORT EDITOR
TIM ASHTON
tim.ashton@
london.newsquest.co.uk
AFC Wimbledon fans will be watching
their heroes play League One football
next season after being led to promo-
tion by “one of their own”.
A 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in
front of almost 60,000 fans at Wembley
on Monday saw the Dons crowned
League Two play-off champions, and
lifted them to the third tier of Eng-
lish football.
It came just 14 years after the club’s
creation following the FA’s decision
to allow the original Wimbledon to
move up the M1 left, leaving die-hard
Dons fans shedding angry tears.
That sense of injustice has helped
propel the Dons up the football pyra-
mid, back into the Football League
in 2011, and onto Wembley glory.
Manager Neal Ardley, who
made more than 250 appearances
for Dons between 1991 and 2002,
said: “To stand there at Wembley
in front of thousands of people
who had their club ripped away
from them 14 years ago, as one of
Continued on page 2

2. June 2, 201634 SPORT www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Wembley heroes: AFC Wimbledon outplayed
Plymouth to win the League Two play-off final
Pictures: Staph Ousellam
‘IT IS DEFINITELY THE BEST
MOMENT OF MY CAREER ’
AFC WIMBLEDON 2
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0
PLAY-OFF FINAL 2016PLAY-OFF FINAL 2016
It was only six weeks ago that
Jon Meades’ season lay in tatters,
writes Tim Ashton.
The 24-year-old AFC Wimbledon
utility man had ruptured ankle
ligaments in the win at Dagenham
& Redbridge on April 19, and
appeared destined to miss the
League Two run-in – let alone a
Wembley appearance.
He would not kick a ball in anger
again until he came off the bench
in the second half at Wembley
to help Dons secure their place
in League One in fine style over
Plymouth Argyle.
And it would seem that Meades’
future at Dons is safe for the time
being as Callum Kennedy, the
man who stepped into his injured
shoes, has not been offered a new
contract.
In the meantime, Meades
was simply happy to get on the
hallowed pitch and play his part
in a famous day.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling – to
think that six weeks ago I thought
my season was over,” he said.
“I have done everything I could
to get back, so to play a part in
the game was unbelievable, and
the fact we won is incredible – it
is definitely the best moment in my
life.”
The former Bournemouth and
Oxford United man, who spent
much of the 2012-13 season
on loan at the Dons before his
permanent switch in 2015, added:
“I did not know if I would get on.
“I have had a good season, but
being out for six weeks meant my
match fitness probably was not
there.
“But I felt good, my ankle was
feeling pretty good, and to play
in front of something like 60,000
people was incredible.”
Prior to Lyle Taylor’s opener late
in the second half, the play-off final
had been a tight affair with Dons
just edging the battle.
Meades said: “Lyle is a goal-
scorer, that’s what he is all about
– his goals this season have got us
to Wembley and he has done well
to get the goal.
“But it was not just him, everyone
has played a massive part in the
season, his goals have got the
headlines, but from back to front it
has been exceptional.”
He added: “I don’t think there
was much between the teams, but
I think we just believed more than
them [Plymouth].
“In the first half they looked
nervous, their big players did not
turn up. We’ve got a lot of players
who have experienced playing at
Wembley, and that showed.”
Jon Meades

3. June 2, 2016 35SPORTwww.wimbledonguardian.co.uk
AFC Wimbledon boss Neal
Ardley says he and Wembley
hero Adebayo Akinfenwa have
parted company as the best of
friends, writes Tim Ashton.
Akinfenwa, who joined the Dons in
the summer of 2014, hit the penalty
that sealed the Dons promotion to
League One.
It saw off the threat of Plymouth
Argyle in the League Two play-off
final after Lyle Taylor had given
Dons the lead.
Akinfenwa announced on Sky
Sports post-match that he had
played his last game for Dons, and
the club confirmed it on Monday.
Ardley said: “We had a
really long heart-felt chat
earlier this week, as part of
our conversations with all the
players.
“We get on unbelievably well
and will stay friends for ever, I
hope.”
He added: “It was left a little bit
in the open, but if he feels he won’t
be starting every week, it is best
for both parties for him to move on
because he probably has at least
two seasons left in him.”
Akinfenwa said: “I have no
ill-feeling or malice towards the
gaffer, I will always talk fondly of
him – even though I did not play as
much as I would have liked to, he
never disrespected me.
“We part ways, he wants to go
in a different direction and so be it,
he is the manager.
“We have a good relationship, it
is what it is, it’s football and we’ll
see where I end up next season.”
He added: “I don’t want the
season to end, I feel good, strong
and fit.
“I have just started to hit good
form recently and I think I have a
couple of years left in me. As long
as my body wants to play on, I will
play on.”
‘WE WILL STAY
FRIENDSFOREVER’
Neal Ardley on the Beast
Delighted Dons
(from top):
Skipper Barry
Fuller; Fans
celebrating
the day; Dave
Bassett; Dannie
Bulman.
Main: Adebayo
Akinfenwa
scores the
penalty and
celebrates the
victory
Pictures:
Staph Ousellam

4. Winner: Darcey O’Shea
Darcey’s
great five
gong game
HERCULES Wimbledon
youngster Darcey O’Shea
won five gold medals
at an open meeting for
independent schools last
weekend – even though she
had never trained in one
of the events, writes Tom
Pollak.
The Year 6 pupil from The
Study Preparatory School,
in Wimbledon Village,
won individual gold in the
100m, 400m, high jump and
long jump at the Thomas’s
School athletics meeting in
Battersea Park.
She then went on to win a
team gold in the sprint relay
– which was enough to earn
Darcey the trophy for the
best individual girl athlete
for the second successive
year.
However, mum Stella said:
“Darcey does not normally
do the long jump and has
never had any practice or
training in that event.
“She was only asked to do
it as one of her team-mates,
who normally does it, was ill
and could not attend.”
She added: “They were
only allowed two jumps. Her
second was 4.24m, which
not only won the event, but
also broke the Independent
Association of Prep Schools
National record, which had
been 4.10m.”
Meanwhile, Hercules
Wimbledon will be
represented at the World
Duathlon Championships
this weekend.
Gina Galbraith, Simon
Bodle, Charles Hampden-
Smith and Richard Evans
will be flying the flag in
Aviles in Spain.
PLAYING AWAY: The biggest
ever parkrun took place in
South Africa last Saturday,
with more than 1,800 running
the 5k route at North Beach
in Durban – and seven
Wimbledon Windmilers took
part. The following day, five
of them ran Comrades, a
56-mile ultra-marathon from
Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Bronwyn Mayo, above right,
clocked nine hours 39 min-
utes 42 seconds, followed by
Sophie Russell (9:50:47), Ella
Waddingham (9:53:15), Lisa
Wood, above left, (10:22:56)
and Bernadette Maher Allan,
above centre, (10:45:37).
KEEPING PACE: Wimble-
don CC remain just in touch
with the early leaders of the
Surrey Championship Premier
Division thanks to a 67-run
home win over East Molesey
on Saturday. After electing to
bat, Wimbledon’s Max Fernie
(58 not out) top-scored as the
hosts carded 262-7 off their
allotted 50 overs. A tight bowl-
ing attack, including figures of
4-34 off 10 overs from Robbie
Gunn, always had Wimbledon
on the front foot and their
guests were all out in the 49th
over on 195. Wimbledon go
to Guildford this weekend. In
T20 action, Wimbledon’s 27-
run win over Hampton Wick
Royal last week ensured safe
passage to round three of the
Surrey Championship knock-
out competition, where they
will face Old Rutlishians.
NEW FEELING: Old Rutlishi-
ans succumbed to their first
defeat in Division One, going
down by 51 runs at Malden
Wanderers on Saturday. The
hosts’ Pete Young was the
thorn in the Old Boys’ side,
hitting an unbeaten 137 as
Wanderers carded 271-4. In
reply, Old Ruts finished on
220 all out in the 45th over.
They host Walton-on-Thames
this weekend.
ROCK BOTTOM: Spencer
remain bottom of the Division
One table after defeat at
fellow strugglers Chipstead
Coulsdon & Walcountians.
After electing to bat, Spen-
cer’s Saqib Malik top-scored
on 42 off 76 balls as they
struggled to 170 before being
knocked over in the 45th over.
There was little in the Spencer
bowling attack to worry the
hosts and only one wicket fell
as Chipstead ticked off the
runs in the 30th over. Spencer
host Malden Wanderers this
weekend.
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SPORTSbrief
Sportyourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport
REPORTER
TIM ASHTON
tim.ashton@
london.newsquest.co.uk
DARIUS Charles is one of
four players who have com-
mitted themselves to League
One’s newest side – and given
his love for his teammates, it
is no wonder.
Dannie Bulman, Barry
Fuller and George Francomb
have also signed on the dotted
line while Callum Kennedy,
Sean Rigg and Adebayo Ak-
infenwa have left the League
Two play-off champions.
Central defender Charles
joined AFC Wimbledon on
loan from Burton Albion
in March and forged a solid
partnership with Paul Robin-
son at the back.
In 12 games with the duo at
the heart of the defence, the
Dons have conceded just sev-
en goals – playing a key role
in getting to Wembley.
However, the 28-year-old
hailed his teammates’ work
ethic from the opening game
of the season.
“The play-off final was not
won today, it was won at the
start of the season with all
the work the lads have put
in,” he said.
“I have been on loan here
for three months, and I am in-
spired every day by the boys
at the club.
“The work they put in is
unlike anything I have seen
before.”
He added: “These games
are never won on the day.
There is a reason why, at the
end of a long season, people
can push and give that little
bit extra to win the play-off
games with all the emotions
running round, so I would
say the game was won on Au-
gust 8.”
Goals from Lyle Taylor
and the departing Akinfenwa
from the penalty spot saw off
Plymouth Argyle at Wemb-
ley to spark wild celebrations
among the Dons fans.
Charles said: “I am emo-
tionally and mentally knack-
PLAY-OFF CHAMPIONS: Defender Charles hails season-long campaigners
Inspired by Dons’ spirit
ered, but the rewards are
well worth it.”
Ardley told Dons Player:
“Darius has been immense.
Before extra-time at Accring-
ton I did not need to do a team
talk because Darius did it for
me and this is a guy who just
does not want to lose, that
transmits to the rest of the
team.
“I still don’t think we’ve
seen the best of him yet. He
has still had problems after
suffering a broken leg last
year, but if he’s only at 80 per
cent I would love to see him
at 100 per cent.”
The departing Kennedy
said: “My contract is up and
the gaffer thought it was time
to go separate ways, I respect
that. I’ve had a great season
and what better way to go
out.
“[Jon] Meades has had an
unbelievable season, and
while you never want to lose
your place, if I was going
to lose it to anyone, I would
want it to be him.”
For more reaction go to
wimbledonguardian.co.uk/
sport.
Calm before the storm: Darius Charles, above left, with Andy Barcham, takes in Wembley prior to
kick-off, and, left, Callum Kennedy had an assist in the opening goal against Plymouth Argyle in
his last game for AFC Wimbledon
Look what I’ve got: Neal Ardley, above, with the League Two play-off final trophy after Monday’s
2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley, and, below, Jon Meades demonstrates the team spirit
that was key in Darius Charles’ decision to commit himself to the club All pics: Staph Ousellam
pages
34-35
THE PROMISED LAND
INSIDE: HOW AFC WIMBLEDON’S
WEMBLEY DREAM CAME TRUE