1952
1952-53

Wimbledon's best spell this season again came in the opening months of the campaign. The unstoppable Stannard, who had made his Wimbledon debut way back in 1935, scored 19 goals in the first 18 games, matched virtually all the way by Gauntlett's 16 in 18 outings.

Goals from Stannard and Boxall had en­sured another London Charity Cup Final win, this time over Walthamstow at Dulwich, while the club enjoyed their best FA Cup run for many years. The Metropolitan Police were the first to fold, 5-1 at Imber Court, with Stannard scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over Wok­ing.

He scored two again in the 3-3 draw at Dulwich in the next round and it was his hat-trick that settled the replay 5-3 in Wimbledon's favour. Carshalton Athletic and Gravesend & Northfleet went much the same way, with Freddie Gauntlett this time plundering a hat-trick in the latter.

When Wimbledon snatched a 2-2 draw at Walthamstow in the next round it looked like the hard work was done. But there was no strolling over the Avenue as they overwhelmed Wimbledon 3-0 in driving snow at Plough Lane.

In between time Wimbledon had put to­gether a League run of four wins and a draw in six outings, sitting a comfortable fifth, eight points behind Walthamstow but with four games in hand. Their best performance at this stage was the 8-0 drubbing of Barking, led by Stannard (4), Gauntlett (2), Marsh and Stewart.

They were also to progress to the Surrey Senior Cup Final and a Selhurst Park show­down against old rivals Tooting. Over 8,000 fans turned out to see Gauntlett cancel Bob Parker's opener for Tooting, only for Parker to pop in the winner.

It all turned sour at the turn of the year, however. In 14 League games to the finish, Wimbledon won just five and drew two as the season petered out.