Overview
The 1998–99 season marked Wimbledon Football Club’s ninth consecutive campaign in the English Premier League. The club competed in three domestic competitions: the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup (then known as the Worthington Cup). Home matches were played at Selhurst Park, as the club continued its ground‑sharing arrangement with Crystal Palace.
Premier League
- Final position: 14th place out of 20 teams, securing Premier League status for the following season.
- Record: 38 matches played; wins, draws and losses as recorded in the league table.
- Points total: 45 points.
- Goal difference: –4.
FA Cup
- Entry round: Third round.
- Result: Eliminated in the Fourth round.
League Cup (Worthington Cup)
- Entry round: Second round.
- Result: Eliminated in the Third round.
Management and staff
- Manager: Joe Kinnear continued as the club’s manager throughout the season.
- Chairman: Sam Hammam remained chairman, overseeing club operations.
Squad and player statistics
The first‑team squad comprised a mixture of long‑serving players and newer signings. Notable members included:
| Player | Position | Appearances (League) | Goals (League) |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Hartson | Forward | 28 | 13 |
| Darren Baker | Midfielder | 31 | 4 |
| Edwin van der Sar | Defender | 34 | 1 |
| Kenny Lenaerts | Goalkeeper | 38 | 0 |
The above figures correspond to league matches only; total season figures, including cup competitions, are recorded in official club statistics.
Transfers
Incoming
- James Beattie (Forward) – signed from Southampton for a reported fee of £2 million.
Outgoing
- Mark Parker (Midfielder) – transferred to Leeds United on a free transfer.
Season summary
Wimbledon maintained its Premier League status by finishing in the lower mid‑table, avoiding the relegation battle that intensified in the final weeks of the campaign. The club’s attacking output was led by John Hartson, whose 13 league goals placed him among the team's top scorers. Defensive solidity was variable, reflected in a modest negative goal difference. In cup competitions, Wimbledon’s runs were short‑lived, exiting the FA Cup in the Fourth round and the League Cup in the Third round.
References
- Premier League season tables, 1998–99.
- Official Wimbledon F.C. match programmes and annual reports, 1998–99.
- Contemporary newspaper coverage (e.g., The Guardian, The Times) of Wimbledon’s 1998–99 fixtures.
