Few clubs in the FA Women’s National League can rival the fluctuating history of AFC Wimbledon Women. From grassroots beginnings to their current place in the third tier of English women’s football, their journey has been one of resilience and ambition.
Their crowning moment dates back nearly two decades, with a historic cup final victory against Chelsea—a milestone that remains etched in the club’s lore.
For much of the last 20 years, the Dons competed in regional leagues, including the Southeast Combination League. However, the 2015/16 season marked a turning point, as Wimbledon secured promotion to the FA Women’s National League Division One Southeast in emphatic fashion. They went the entire league season unbeaten—a feat that showcased their dominance and set the tone for future success.
In 2021, the club added another chapter to its rich narrative, playing its first match at Plough Lane, a ground shared with their men’s team. The following year, they rebranded from ‘AFC Wimbledon Ladies’ to ‘AFC Wimbledon Women,’ signaling a modern era for the club.
The 2022/23 campaign was another season to remember. Despite finishing second to Hashtag United in Division One Southeast, losing only once, striker Ashlee Hincks dazzled with 19 goals, finishing as the league’s second-highest scorer.
Wimbledon didn’t settle for second best for long. In the very next season, they captured the Division One Southeast title with authority, finishing seven points clear at the top and racking up 61 goals. Hincks elevated her game even further, topping the league scoring charts with a staggering 37 goals in all competitions—a performance that spearheaded their promotion to the Southern Premier Division.
Now competing in tier three for the first time, AFC Wimbledon Women sit in a respectable 7th place, with five league victories already under their belt.
For the town synonymous with tennis, a population of under 70,000, and a football club deeply rooted in English football history, AFC Wimbledon Women represent the emergence of a new sporting force. The future looks bright for the Dons as they continue their rise in the footballing world.
