Stat Attack: Notts County vs. AFC Wimbledon

Notts County have only ever played AFC Wimbledon once, earlier this season, and the outcome was a 2-1 win to the opposition.

The Magpies have also played no more than a handful of games against the original Wimbledon side – and the record is equally poor, with four defeats and two draws against them.

If we take the new incarnation of Wimbledon to be a continuation of the old one, it means we have never won against them – a record we will want to put right on Saturday.

The club was founded by Wimbledon F.C. supporters in June 2002 as a direct reaction to the decision by an independent three man commission appointed by the Football Association to allow the original club Wimbledon to relocate to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, about 56 miles north of Wimbledon. 

The large majority of Wimbledon F.C. supporters very strongly opposed the idea of moving the club so far, feeling that a club transplanted to Milton Keynes would no longer represent Wimbledon F.C.'s legacy and traditions, and, having campaigned against the proposed move, viewed its official sanctioning as the "death of their club".

AFC Wimbledon considers itself a spiritual successor or "phoenix" version of the original team, as Wimbledon F.C. physically moved in 2003 and then changed the name the club to Milton Keynes Dons in 2004.

When AFC Wimbledon was formed, it affiliated to both the London and Surrey Football Associations, and entered the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, which is the ninth tier in English football. 

In its short history, the club has been extremely successful, being promoted five times in nine seasons, and going up from the ninth tier (Combined Counties Premier) to the fourth (League Two). 

The only other club considered to have completed this feat is the now dissolved Rushden & Diamonds.

AFC Wimbledon holds the record of the longest unbeaten run of league matches in English senior football, having played 78 consecutive league games without a defeat between February 2003 and December 2004.

They hold the distinction of being the first club to be formed in the 21st century to make it into the Football League.

By far their most notable player is Adebayo Akinfenwa, who regularly tops the FIFA videogame strength ratings. Unsurprising really, as he would not look out of place propping up a rugby scrum.

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Notts County’s new manager Jamie Fullarton should  have striker Izale McLeod back from an ankle injury for his first home game.

Midfielder Liam Noble, meanwhile, returns from a four-game ban following a second red card of the season in mid-December.

AFC Wimbledon could be without George Francomb and Jake Reeves - both had fitness tests yesterday.

The other absentee is Will Nightingale, who might not return until the end of the season.

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