AFC Wimbledon are set to be hunting a new manager after Wally Downes was suspended under suspicion of breaking betting laws.
The club released a statement last night stating that Downes, who masterminded last year’s great escape, had been informed that their manager has been charged by the FA for misconduct in respect of eight bets placed on football matches between 30 November 2013 and 12 July 2019.
Glynn Hodges will take over whilst the club ‘look at the allegations more closely and make a further announcement in due course’.
That doesn’t bode well for the struggling Wombles who are currently 22nd and without a win this season. Only ailing Bolton stand between them and the bottom place in the division.
Downes is an original member of the Crazy Gang and inspired them to a huge turnaround last season after they started badly. Neal Ardley began the campaign as manager but as they looked doomed to relegation, Downes came in and turned their fortunes around.
This is a big blow for both the club and its supporters. They’ve cultivated the persona of ‘everyone’s favourite underdogs’, or at least those fans outside of Milton Keynes, but this news is a blow to their reputation.
Supporters have not reacted well on Twitter, with the best of their responses outlined below.
A little ironic that at underneath the club statement was an advert for Skybet.
— Andy Dakin (@groundhopper23) September 25, 2019
He's been betting on us losing every game 2-1 lol🤣
— VirtualVirgil (@PhilH23) September 25, 2019
At least we might get a new manager now
— gabriel (@gabrielAFCW) September 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/adampushkin/status/1176842720985460736
Awkward advert placement pic.twitter.com/zfdEPOLTDK
— Jaleh Shoghi (@JalehLShoghi) September 25, 2019
Well then, this opens a can of worms
— Stephen Hayward (@StephenJH33) September 25, 2019
Really angry about this. Dragging our club down on and off the pitch #wallyisacockwomble
— colin wilson (@octheshrubber) September 25, 2019
