The chairman of the AFC Wimbledon Club, Mick Buckley, reflects on his team’s playoffs, the 2024/25 season and the preparations for League One.
Days after the 1-0 victory against Walsall in Wembley, he thanked the employees, volunteers and fans for a successful season, which was emphasized by promotion at Wembley, and at the same time spoke about the values of the association of togetherness, resilience and constant improvement, which contributed to overcoming the challenges.
In addition to partner charity organizations, advances were made in all club areas, including men, women, academy, girls and foundation.
Buckley states the efforts to secure a competitive budget for League 1 and indicates upcoming opportunities for fans.
He divides the praise of a journalist for the club and the club’s fan-built stadium and proudly presses the history and unity of the club. Despite future challenges, Buckley encourages fans to enjoy advertising and thank them for their support.
Mick Buckley, chairman of the AFC Wimbledon PLC, reflects a remarkable season. #Afcw https: //t.co/py9kjhjrsz
– AFC Wimbledon (@Afcwimbledon) May 29, 2025
OPINION:
Mick Buckley, chairman of the AFC Wimbledon PLC, reflects a remarkable season.
“After our fantastic day at Wembley on Monday, I wanted to say a big thank you to all of our employees, volunteers and fans who came together and made the season such a success.
“It seems an age since the last July when all our game and non-players gathered with some volunteers in the lounge of 1889 to think about the coming season.
“We spoke about the importance of our values, resilience and the constant improvement. We knew that we would really have to live these values if we were successful this season.
“I will not check the season in detail here, but it is fair to say that we all who work together, have overcome some rather robust challenges and celebrate in 29,000 of us in Wembley.
“We have made incredible progress in all areas of the club; men, women, academy, girls and foundation. Our partner charity organizations, Wish and DAG also have an incredible influence.
“The highlights were of course a promotion in Wembley and our women, who were the best -placed League -2 Club in the women’s pyramid. Both men and women surpass each other massively compared to budgets.
“This week we worked hard to give Johnnie and Craig the most competitive budget that we can compete in League 1 next season. This is getting tougher.
“Several fans asked how they can help. There will be an opportunity for those who want to contribute to this.
“A lot was written about us this season. The thousands of people who made this club to what it is today should feel very proud of what the journalist Oliver Kay wrote after visiting our stadium:
“I had one of the best football days when I finally made it to Cherry Red Recordium in September last year.
“Only to set foot in this stadium means to feel how it is to support a team that is the focus of his community and to be a fan base, the team of which means more than just win and loss.
“Love for the game and the team and the awe of the history of the club, the club, which was stolen to you and the club you have rebuilt, is everywhere, from the kitsch statue of Dave Beasant in front of the stadium to the illustration on the walls.
“It feels like a stadium in which everyone knows how to get neighbors in a street, like a huge, loving, proud family that refuses.
“The beauty of architecture here is not in the stadium buildings.
“It is in the knowledge that this is something that was built by fans. If I live in London, I would watch my football here.”
There will be some difficult challenges. I am sure we will come together to meet them.
In the meantime, enjoy the warm glow of advertising and again many thanks to all of you.
Painful end of the season for Walsall, as AFC Wimbledon with Playoff final win in League 1
Manager Johnnie Jackson said after the Playoff final: “I’m absolutely humming. My suit was soaked, but everything is worth it! I’m just so proud, there was relief in the last whistle, but now it is proud of everyone. To see almost 30,000 Wimbledon fans here is a Sea from yellow and blue – and what the players have produced on the pitch is nothing by Magnificent.
“I was pleased when we got this end for our supporters because it brought a little luck. It is just another chapter in our history for this place: The FA Cup final from 1988, the team 2016, and we spoke in the line-up that our players have another opportunity for our players to write our own chapter. It shows how far our club came and I was pleased that our fans are so happy.
“I grew up with George Graham’s arsenal, so it might have paid off and 1-0 for the Arsenal has become 1-0 for Wimbledon,” added Johnnie. “Our defense had received praise all season, but I had the feeling that we also showed a lot of quality in the attack today that we might have achieved a few more. With 1-0 you have to defend yourself correctly and we did it all the season, especially in the last four games and that brought us to advertising.”
Myles Hippolyte: “I looked at Wembley and did as if I was playing with my cousins in my aunts in the background. We always laughed at this kind of things and never believed that it would be true. I believed that I would be a soccer player and now I have a win at Wembley.
“It is massive – a big day and a great day. I am happy for everyone: all boys, employees, people behind the scenes and the supporters. It was a big occasion, and I’m just happy that I hit. I had a shot shortly before, and I hoped that it would be, but that was good. For the goal it was immediately set up.”
