Game on! AFC Wimbledon agree to new venue and date for Newcastle United cup match

1 month ago 16

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AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United is now back on!

Postponed on Monday morning due to severe flooding at Plough Lane, which meant no way Tuesday night’s match could go ahead.

Now after talks between the two clubs and the competition organisers, this AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United match will go ahead.

However, it will be now played at St James’ Park on Tuesday 1 October with a 7.45pm kick-off (details below).

I predicted/suggested a shift to St James’ Park (see below) in an article earlier today but got the date wrong, I suggested this Wednesday at SJP, maybe a little bit ambitious in terms of time to organise.

Though for this match to go ahead in eight days time at St James’ Park, AFC Wimbledon had to postpone a League Two home match against Crewe that was scheduled to be played that night.

Newcastle United official announcement – 23 September 2024:

‘Newcastle United’s postponed Carabao Cup round three tie with AFC Wimbledon will now take place at St. James’ Park on Tuesday 1st October (kick-off 7:45pm BST).

The fixture was originally scheduled for Tuesday 24th September at the Cherry Red Records Stadium but was postponed on Monday morning following extensive overnight flooding in South London and related pitch damage at the stadium.

To enable the fixture to be played, it will now be switched to the North East following an agreement between the clubs and the competition’s management committee.

TICKET INFORMATION

Refunds for supporters with tickets for the original postponed fixture will be processed tomorrow.

Season ticket holders who have opted into the Carabao Cup Scheme will be emailed tomorrow and payment will be taken before the weekend.

Members and season ticket holders that are not enrolled in the Carabao Cup Scheme are eligible to enter the ticket ballot, which will open at 10am on Tuesday 24th September and close at 10am on Wednesday 25th September.

General sale for members and season ticket holders not enrolled in the Carabao Cup Scheme, and who do not already have a ticket, opens on Thursday 26th September at 10am.

Due to the immediate turnaround for this rearranged fixture, please note that ticket on-sale periods will be shorter than usual.”

My article earlier today on The Mag regarding this match against AFC Wimbledon – 23 September 2024:

As most of you will know by now, the AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United match will not now be played on Tuesday night will no longer take place, due to flooding.

AFC Wimbledon releasing a statement on Monday morning informing their supporters and intending to travel Newcastle United fans:

‘We regret to inform supporters that due to extensive overnight flooding of the River Wandle and surrounding areas, including at our Cherry Red Records Stadium, Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round fixture against Newcastle United has been postponed.

More information will follow in due course regarding fixture rearrangement. The stadium is closed until further notice.’

You have to really feel for this fan-owned League Two club, who have had to deal with so much. Especially of course how shamefully the authorities allowed their fans to have their club stolen away from them, when it became MK Dons.

Back to the present day though and serious logistical problems for AFC Wimbledon.

Not only no Wombles able to be wandering free… only swimming.

This isn’t just something affecting the AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United match, with media reports stating that the flooding has caused massive damage to the pitch, as well as who knows what overall damage to the stadium itself. In the reports that I have read, it is reported that the flooding has caused a corner of the playing surface to give way, with visible holes apparently visible from views above the stadium.

Looking at their fixtures, AFC Wimbledon have matches scheduled (see below) EVERY Saturday and Tuesday right through to November, apart from one midweek spot.

Starting this Saturday 28 September, they have nine games between then and Tuesday 29 October.

I can only assume that for starters, they will be desperately looking for another stadium to play their League Two home game against Accrington Stanley this Saturday. Clubs in League Two have a ridiculous 46 league fixtures each season to play, before you then get to Carabao Cup, FA Cup and EFL Trophy. So postponing games is the last thing they will want to do.

As for the Newcastle United match, it looks like AFC Wimbledon are in a very difficult, if not impossible, position.

The Carabao Cup last 16 round of matches are to be played week commencing Monday 28 October and I can’t see the competition organisers agreeing to this Newcastle United match being played anything but earlier than that week of last 16 round matches.

A prestige cup match such as this Newcastle United one, they will be desperate to stage. Next Tuesday (1 October) AFC Wimbledon are due to be home to Crewe in a League Two match but even if they wanted to cancel that and replace it with the Newcastle United game, would Crewe and the various football authorities all agree to that, plus Newcastle United of course.

In three weeks time AFC Wimbledon do have their one free midweek of October but that is during the international break, so Newcastle United agreeing to play then looks an impossibility.

The Cherry Red Records Stadium Wimbledon Plough Lane

So what is the solution for this AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United Carabao Cup match?

I am not wishing this on them but if I had to put a bet on it, my money would be on AFC Wimbledon having to forfeit the match, with Newcastle getting a bye into the last 16. That would be so cruel on a fan-owned club, missing out on a sold out match that was going to be screened by Sky Sports, as all matches in this round will be.

I have a solution and whilst not ideal, the best in the circumstances.

Why not move the match to St James’ Park and have AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United played on Wednesday night, as in this Wednesday 25 September?

Postponing it by 24 hours would give a bit extra time to arrange it and if the will is there from all parties, it would be achievable.

By switching it to St James’ Park, a load more money would be generated by the cup match, some of which they could use to pay to fund all AFC Wimbledon fans who are willing to travel, free coaches and free tickets.

Whilst for Newcastle United fans it would be a massive winner as well, it could be old school, cash turnstiles on the night and tens of thousands of NUFC fans able to get to a bonus game, many of them no doubt who very rarely get the chance.

The match would be played, fan-owned AFC Wimbledon would get a massive cash injection, loads of their fans would get a free trip and match, all of those Newcastle fans the chance to get to the game, whilst hopefully the Newcastle United team getting the chance to move on from that Fulham defeat.

For those of you saying impossible to do, back in the old days there were instances of matches played at very short notice after postponements, with all the help now from technology and so on, this match at St James’ Park can be arranged for sure if everybody wants it to happen.

AFC Wimbledon upcoming match schedule:

Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (Carabao Cup) POSTPONED

Saturday 28 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley (League Two)

Tuesday 1 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Crewe (League Two)

Saturday 5 October 2024 – Salford City v AFC Wimbledon (League Two)

Tuesday 8 October 2024 – Crawley Town v AFC Wimbledon (EFL Trophy)

Saturday 12 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Carlisle (League Two)

Saturday 19 October 2024 – Notts County v AFC Wimbledon (League Two)

Tuesday 22 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Morecambe (League Two)

Saturday 26 October 2024 – Port Vale v AFC Wimbledon (League Two)

***Carabao Cup last 16 matches to be played W/C Monday 28 October

Tuesday 29 October 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Brighton Under 21s (EFL Trophy)