AFC Wimbledon, the fan-owned club that rose from the ashes of the original Wimbledon FC, were promoted to the Football League on Saturday after a penalty shootout playoff win over Luton Town. Top scorer and captain Danny Kedwell settled a tense Conference playoff final at Manchester City's Eastlands stadium when he slotted in the decisive spot kick. Wimbledon won the shootout 4-3 after a 0-0 draw after extra time.
AFC Wimbledon were formed after Wimbledon FC, who defied the odds more than 30 years ago by rising from minor league football to the top tier of the English game, were bought and relocated to Milton Keynes. Wimbledon and their "Crazy Gang" players such as Vinnie Jones, Dennis Wise and John Fashanu famously beat Liverpool to win the FA Cup in 1988, 14 years before the club disappeared.
AFC Wimbledon began life in the lower rungs of minor league football but still playing to sizeable crowds at their "home" shared stadium in the neighbouring London borough of Kingston before working their way back up the football pyramid.