AFC Wimbledon fans were left stunned as a massive sinkhole opened up on their pitch following heavy flooding, causing severe damage to the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
The shocking sight emerged after intense rainstorms flooded the area, leaving the ground looking more like a golf course than a football field.
Early estimates suggest that repairs could cost the fan-owned club up to $1.5 million.
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Incredible support as fans rally for the Wombles
Videos of the sinkhole quickly went viral, and many fans, including AFC Wimbledon supporter Graham Stacey, leapt into action.
Stacey set up a fundraising campaign that has already raised over £50,000 ($67,000), with a £15,000 ($20,000) donation from Newcastle United contributing to the cause. “I thought someone had superimposed a golf course onto our pitch,” Stacey said, reflecting the disbelief of many.
Wimbledon's name is a famous one in English football, with the original version of the club — which has since been reformed — winning the FA Cup against Liverpool in one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history back in 1988.
They were due to play Newcastle in the Carabao Cup this week, but the match was postponed due to the pitch damage.
The club's vice president, Ivor Heller (via Talksport), revealed that the full extent of the repairs is not yet clear.
“We don’t know when we’re going to play another home game,” Heller admitted, adding that the gate money from the rescheduled game at St. James’ Park could help soften the financial blow.
The Wombles, already known for their resilience, face yet another challenge as they look to rebuild their beloved ground. As one fan joked, “It’s a sinking feeling, but we’ll dig ourselves out of this one.”
