1918
1918-19

Mr. A. Gill Knight writes: "I, as vice president, beg of you to announce in your valuable paper the fact that we are preparing to restart the club immediately and that we shall be glad to hear from old members and any first class players who are desirous of joining a tip top club. ''We have the finest ground in the southern district and have spent large sums erecting a stand and dressing rooms, and laying out and banking the ground at Plough Lane."

A trial match, between the north and south of London against Hampstead Town kicked off the new beginnings on December 14, 1918. The start of a new season proper, in a hastily arranged United Senior League, on January 4, 1919, kicked off a new era in the history of Wimbledon Football Club.

The United League comprised Catford, Southend, Tufnell Park, Darracqs of Tooting, Great Western Railway, Hampstead Town, Southall and Barnet Alston, as well as Wimbledon. The Dons had a real interest in the competition as Mr. Gill-Knight had provided the trophy and they were to make a flying start, defeating Catford 2-0 in the League opener on January 4, 1919.

Tufnell Park and Danacqs were both beaten, 1-0 and 4-2 respectively and Great Western Railway went much the same way, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the in­-form Dons. Pre-war skipper Billy Woods, who had just been demobilised, was in the crowd for that one, along with former 'keeper Snell.

But the next four reported games showed a change in fortunes. Wimbledon picked up just one point, while their Charity Cup clash against Charlton Athletic ended in a 4-1 defeat. Wimbledon faced Charlton in a friendly as well, faring no better in a 3-1 defeat, but they got back on the right track with a 1-0 win over Barnet Alston.

There were fund raising games to face as well, against Metrogas and Metropolitan Police, with monies raised going to the wives and families of footballers who lost their lives in the war.

Wimbledon were to stage their first end of season dinner dance since the outbreak of war and among the members attending was the club's founder, J. W. Selby. There was a general meeting, at the Town Hall on June 11. Joseph Hood was in the chair for that and he was certainly looking forward to the coming seasons. He did not expect the club to win the FA Cup, he said, but was confidently expecting one or two trophies, at least, to make their way to Plough Lane.