The Onward Rise of FC United and AFC Wimbledon

The 2007/08 season ended with a promotion double for the two clubs formed by fans in protest at the actions of the owners at their respective clubs. AFC Wimbledon and FC United each took a step closer to the Football League.

For AFC Wimbledon victory in the Ryman Premier play off moves them just two promotions away from League status. Next season Terry Brown's squad will compete in the Blue Square South- not bad for a team only formed in 20o2. By overcoming Staines the Dons made up for near misses in the previous two campaigns.

FC United of Manchester have known only success since their formation. After blitzing the North-West Counties League in their first two seasons, the Glazer refuseniks found life a little tougher in Unibond Division One but still found a way out. Skelmersdale were despatched 4-1 in the play off Final.

FC United are now just one tier behind AFC Wimbledon although they may find their progress slows a little, as their southern counterparts did. Nevertheless these are both stunning achievements.

The cultures of the clubs are slightly different, though both have their origins in rejection of the Board visions for their respective clubs.  FC are motivated by rejection of the Glazer takeover, although the subsequent success at Old Trafford has probably stilled some of the protests at the American ownership.

It is still possible to support both versions of United which is much less the case for Wimbledon. When the old club were moved lock, stock and barrel to Milton Keynes most loyalists wholly rejected the new franchise and consider AFC to be the true club.

Both teams are fuelled by passionate support beyond the norm for their level, which has propelled them at speed through the lower tiers of the Pyramid. Now the fascination is to see just how far each club can go and whether the momentum can be maintained against the big boys of non league.