Newcastle United offered Wimbledon friendly as two clubs discuss future relationship

The Magpies watched on last week as their clash at Plough Lane was called off but Dons supremo James Woodroof wants the Toon Army to visit their stadium next year

Wimbledon supremo James Woodroof has offered Newcastle United an "open invite" to play a friendly at Plough Lane next summer.

The Dons managing director wanted to thank the Magpies on the record for staging their Carabao Cup tie at St James' Park but spoke about a "special bond" developing between the two clubs. The League Two club loved their visit to Tyneside and travelled in numbers as 1,500 supporters ventured north at short notice.

Woodroof told Chronicle Live: "There is an open invitation to Newcastle to come for a pre-season friendly with us. Whatever it would look like.

"We would love to continue this relationship, we wanted to be ambitious and turn Newcastle over to face Chelsea, but we have a very strong team and we are really hopeful, we'd love to host Newcastle in years to come. It is a great question we will put that to Eddie Howe."

Woodroof spoke about a tricky episode in Wimbledon's history after watching what would have been a money spinning home tie against the Magpies. However, they ended up benefiting from a lucrative crowd of over 51,000 with 45% of the gate receipts now set to go into the coffers.

Woodroof wanted to thank supporters of Newcastle and beyond, he said: "Yeah, it has been absolutely magic.

"We've been inundated with people sending us well wishes, making financial contributions and offers of support, hundreds of volunteers but I think something like 3,000 supporters gave cash to the club which is just remarkable and hundreds of clubs represented but Newcastle fans really came out in force which is why that (Thank you everyone) flag has been created.

"Everyone at Wimbledon wants to thank everyone associated with Newcastle United because of the warm welcome we've had (at St James' Park) but also the gestures over the last week or so."

Reflecting on a chaotic week for the League Two side, Woodroof said: "It was an extraordinary set of circumstances that led to the images that you've seen.

"Essentially we had record levels of rain water, the River Wandle reached its highest level for 60-odd years and multiple things happened. Our stadium's drainage system couldn't cope with that amount of water and there was nowhere for the water to escape.

"Ultimately that led to an eruption on our pitch because our water tank is beneath the pitch which is slightly unusual.

"A bizarre set of circumstances, unprecedented, a freak incident and we are working through that the best we can. We're really hopeful we can return to football a week on Saturday for our League Two game.

"It's been a mad week. Thankfully Newcastle were outstanding when we broke the news to them on Monday morning and quickly offered to reverse the fixture which was a fantastic gesture and offer. T

"hey've been first class ever since, making a significant donation to the club and hundreds of Newcastle supporters have thrown their arm around us.

"Newcastle to a person have been outstanding with us and I can't thank them enough. We have 1500 fans here tonight and I think there's now a special bond between the clubs. I'm really hopeful we can win tonight but that bond can continue for years to come."