AFC Wimbledon highlighted its community ties by hosting a festive business event at the Cherry Red Records Stadium last Tuesday. The event, part of Sage's partnership with the EFL, brought together local business owners to celebrate their contributions to the fan-owned club, which currently sits 18th in League One with 13 points from 13 games, having recorded three wins and four draws.
Vice-captain Alistair Smith and former striker Lyle Taylor joined host Aaron Paul for a conversation exploring the club's distinctive community-led story. Senior Sage executives including Sally Moore and Gary Charlton were present, alongside local business owners like Joe Daniels of BLC Forklifts and Gary Robinson of RSS Robinsons Site Solutions. Guests enjoyed festive hospitality, pitchside access, and networking opportunities ahead of the key Christmas trading period.
The event also served to promote Sage's nationwide Secret Santa competition, which is open to businesses connected to all 72 EFL clubs. The initiative offers a share of £100,000 in prize money to winning local enterprises, underlining the league-wide commitment to supporting the communities that sustain its clubs. This follows similar events held at Salford City and Middlesbrough, featuring legends like Julio Arca.
On-pitch context
The off-field positivity comes as AFC Wimbledon seeks to turn around a difficult run of form in League One. The Dons currently sit 18th in the table with 13 points from 13 matches, having won just three games all season and finding themselves 16 points behind the league leaders. Their recent fixtures have been tough, culminating in a 2-1 defeat away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday 7 November, where Andy Yiadom scored a late consolation. This result continued a run of zero wins, one draw, and four defeats from their last five matches, including losses to Stockport County, Arsenal U21, and Mansfield Town, and a draw with Wycombe. The team has scored only nine league goals this season while conceding 21. Jayden Stockley, the club's top scorer with six goals in 13 appearances, found the net in the previous match against Stockport County on Saturday 31 October, but results have been hard to come by. The team has taken just one point from its last five league outings.
Attention now turns to a significant home match this Saturday against Blackpool, who sit one place below Wimbledon in 19th. It represents a prime opportunity to halt the slide and build some momentum. The club will hope the spirit of collaboration shown at the business event can translate into a united effort on the pitch at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The report in full is at Not answerable
