Newcastle United 'significant' financial move changes pitch landscape as decision praised

AFC Wimbledon have thanked Newcastle United for their £15,000 donation after their Plough Lane pitch was damaged by floods over the weekend.

The Dons have now raised more than £100,000 after a Justgiving page was set up to raise vital club funds following the postponement of the Carabao Cup third round tie against Newcastle United. The clash has now been set up for next week at St James' Park after talks between the two clubs.

A Wimbledon statement read today: "We have been overwhelmed by generous financial contributions from Wimbledon supporters, and supporters of a number of other clubs, to the Justgiving page established by supporter Graham Stacey.

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"Donations now stand at £100,000 from more than 2,000 donors – including a significant donation from Newcastle United. From everyone at the Club, thank you to each and every person and organization who has done so. We are eternally grateful."

The League Two club also issued an update on the state of the pitch and the stadium as club staff prepare for a return to work tomorrow. The Dons said: "More than 100,000 litres of water was removed from the grounds late on Monday night via tankers. Since then, several independent experts have been on site to inspect the pitch at surface level.

"Meanwhile, club staff and volunteers have begun the clean-up operation at ground level including the shop, museum, offices and tunnel area."

The Magpies were quick to offer Wimbledon support as the devastating images of the sinkholes at Plough Lane emerged on Monday morning.