AFC Wimbledon fans coughed up more than £1,000 at last Saturday's game against Walsall - in order to help pay for the upkeep of the club's ladies' and girls' teams.

A total of 93 girls and ladies soccer players went on a half-time lap of honour at the game at Kingsmeadow last Saturday, which was also the AFC Wimbledon Ladies and Girls annual day.

They included players from 16 different teams, from senior first-team players who are currently top of FA Women’s Premier League (South East Division One), right down to under-10s and under-11s, who showcased their football skills on the pitch.

Neal Ardley, Wimbledon men's team manager, who guided the men’s first team to promotion last year, believes the girls and ladies can continue to push for more success and glory.

He said: “Women’s football has always been a huge in the USA, but it’s beginning to get big over here now.

“It’s great for younger girls in the development squads to have that pathway towards the first-team, similar to what the young boys at our club have. There is a lot of community work that goes on too with the ladies and girls.

“I’ve been down to watch the first-team and they play great football. They have really put our ladies on the map. If we can support and help them, hopefully over the next few years they can replicate the success of the men’s team over the last 15 years.”

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