Football Season Guide

Johnnie Jackson finally succeeded at the third time of asking in guiding AFC Wimbledon to promotion to League One. It serves as a real vindication for Jackson, who had overseen two collapses in his first two seasons, and for the club’s board of directors, who stuck to their guns when others would have pulled the trigger and opted for a change. In April it looked as if history would repeat itself for a third time but the Dons clung on to a play-off place and were perhaps a little fortunate to face two sides who were in even worse form in Notts County, who provided no resistance whatsoever in the semi-finals, and Walsall, who were offered only a meek response to failing behind at Wembley. Wing-back Josh Neufville was the match winner under the arch however it proved to be his final game for the Dons, as he opted to move to fellow promoted side Bradford City this summer. Opposite wing-back James Tilley has also left for Wycombe Wanderers, leaving Jackson searching for two key men in his preferred system. Steve Seddon will be looking get his career back on track, replacing Tilley, but a right wing-back has yet to be signed, so academy graduate Isaac Ogundere will fill the void for now. The biggest loss of the summer however is undoubtedly goalkeeper Owen Goodman, who made the League Two team of the year. His loan from Crystal Palace was always scheduled to end and former Manchester United stopper Nathan Bishop has the task of filling his gloves. Injury has stalled his career in recent seasons and he’ll be looking for a consistent campaign in both appearances and performances. Jackson has otherwise kept the core of the promotion-winning team together. There are some question marks, most notably in attack with Omar Bugiel’s style more suited to League 2. It’s a big step-up for leading goalscorer Matt Stevens too, whilst the gamble taken on Josh Kelly has yet to take off.