AFC WIMBLEDON have been rowing their way up the football pyramid ever since
their formation in 2002.
The infant club’s fans have known nothing but success during those 11 years —
although they were an oar’s length away from crushing disappointment this
season.
AFC maintained their stay in the Football League in dramatic style last week
with a final-day victory over Fleetwood.
It was a joyous moment for all their supporters — including gold medal-winning
Olympic rower Sophie Hosking who explained to SunSport just what her team
means to her.
TB: Why AFC Wimbledon?
SH: I’ve lived in Wimbledon on and off all my life. I’ve always supported them
and when I was younger I played for Wimbledon ladies. The club has always
been a big part of my life so when AFC started, I followed them.
What did you make of it when the club moved to Milton Keynes?
It was a real shame. One of the biggest things about football in this country
is the history of supporting a club and the traditions around that team. To
see a franchise happening like in America was really sad. But ultimately AFC
came out of that which has been a hugely positive thing for the club, the
supporters and the local community.
What was your first AFC game?
I went to the first ever AFC match which was a friendly at Sutton United in
2002. We lost 4-0 but it was really special to have been there.
And what was your first Wimbledon match?
Wimbledon v Coventry at Selhurst Park in 1996 – it was 2-2. As kids we used to
go to the Wimbledon football courses in the holidays and at the end of it
you would get a ticket to go to a game.
What’s been your favourite moment from supporting AFC?
When they got promoted to League Two. I wasn’t able to go up to Manchester for
the match but I remember following it on the computer and on the radio. It
was such a special time for the club. At that time, because I was also an
athlete, the emotions of putting everything on the line resonated with what
I was trying to achieve in my career. I found it really motivating. We went
and raced a World Cup a week later and it was a big source of inspiration
going into that race.
Do you go to Kingsmeadow much?
I try to go as much as possible. My mum has a season ticket down there. The
last game I went to was the Barnet match. It’s great going there because
there are so many people I know and have grown up with around Wimbledon.
What did it mean to stay up this season?
It meant a huge amount. It’s been a pretty rocky season and in the last few
matches the club had to dig deep. When you’re on the cusp of something, you
see people’s true colours come through. It also is going to give Neal Ardley
confidence to build on this year going into next season.
From the old Wimbledon, who was your favourite player?
Efan Ekoku. I used to have his name on the back of my shirt.
What do you make of the state of women’s football?
It’s really getting there. It’s something that has to be built up over a few
years, get more people to support it and then there will be more coverage.
The European Championships are being shown on BBC this year which is
fantastic. It can’t be compared to the men’s game because then it will
always be in the shadows. It needs to be held up in its own right.
Are you happy or disappointed the Olympic Stadium is going to a football
team in West Ham?
It should be used as much as possible. If it’s being used as a football
stadium as well as an athletics stadium, then that is what is important.
Ultimately, that’s what I’d like to see from all the venues. The rowing
venue is used continuously which is great to see so the more the Olympic
Stadium can be used the better.
The Samsung World Rowing Cup takes place on 21st-23rd June 2013 at Eton
Dorney, Berkshire. Tickets start from £15. For more information visit