'Crazy Gang' final '88: 'The beginning of the end'
Wimbledon's '80s rollercoaster
That 1988 final was the pinnacle of a meteoric rise for the club, who had been playing non-league football in the Southern League just 11 years before.Beasant joined the Dons in 1979 from London Spartan League side Edgware after the club had been promoted to the old Third Division - now League One.After a rollercoaster of two relegations and four promotions in seven seasons, Wimbledon reached the First Division to compete with the giants of English football.It all culminated in that day at Wembley and what would turn out to be Beasant's final game for the club, as he joined Newcastle United that summer."It was a defining moment in my career that, first and foremost to win a trophy, and [winning the] FA Cup final with Wimbledon was something I never ever dreamed I'd be capable of doing," he said."I was first to leave and then a few others followed, people started to pick Wimbledon apart."It was a great day and if you're going to bow out at a club that I'd been at for nine years, I can't think of a better place than here at Wembley and winning the FA Cup."
'Winning would be highlight of my career'
AFC Wimbledon travel to Wembley to face Walsall on Monday following a 2-0 aggregate victory over Notts County, reaching the final with a 1-0 victory at their own Cherry Red Records Stadium, just a short distance from the old club's original Plough Lane home.It is their second trip to the national stadium, nine years after the first - a 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle in the League Two play-off final."It was huge – the crowd, the roar, playing in front of I think it was 66,000 on that day," current club captain Jake Reeves, who played that day, told BBC Radio London.Goals from Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa secured the win for Neal Ardley's side.This time round it will be Johnnie Jackson in the hot seat.The former Charlton Athletic defender said his biggest regret was never stepping out under the arch as a player himself."I grew up [in] maybe one of the last generations loving the [FA] Cup final. I went to a lot of cup finals when I was younger watching Arsenal and it was always my dream to play there and I never got the opportunity," he said."Winning it as a manager would would top that [winning as a coach at Charlton in 2019] and probably be the highlight of my whole career."
'If we win, the memories will live long'
Barry Fuller was the captain who lifted the trophy in 2016. AFC Wimbledon have since made an emotional return to Plough Lane and Reeves said he hopes this current side can create their own piece of history at the club."You see all the photos from that day printed up around the stadium and around the ground. Obviously I know if I get to lift the trophy then those memories will live long," he said.Beasant added: "I looked back at what we achieved [going] from non-league football to the first division and winning the FA Cup 11 years later, that was an unbelievable journey and I never thought that would be emulated."But what [AFC] Wimbledon have done, starting even lower down the system and getting, first and foremost, league football again, was an achievement that kind of matched what we done but in a different dimension."They're very ambitious, the club is fan-owned so it's for everyone. I think they've done a more than superb job."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
Shrewsbury boss Appleton 'very concerned' by form
Beleaguered Shrewsbury Town boss Michael Appleton says he is "very concerned" about his side's poor form and they must be "miles better" if their fortunes are to slumped to a fourth successive defeat - and third on the bounce in League Two - with Wednesday's 4-1 hammering by Notts result leaves Appleton's side with just one point from their first four league games and second bottom of the table in 23rd place."I take responsibility," Appleton, who signed a two-year contract in May, told BBC Radio Shropshire."I'm the manager and I've done this a long time. I'm not going to shy away from anything."We have to be better. We have to be miles better - but it's my job to try to make that happen." Following relegation from League One last term, Town have failed to find any momentum at the start of this term in the fourth tier, with Appleton saying he has had to deal with the "baggage" of last season's addition, director of football Micky Moore has left the club and a potential takeover of the club rumbles the field, Town have scored only one goal and conceded 10. Their solitary point has come from a goalless draw at home to Bromley on the opening latest defeat by the Magpies exposed familiar frailties despite Appleton's tactical tweak of playing four central defenders in a back four as Town fell 2-0 behind after 20 minutes at Meadow John Marquis scoring Town's first league goal of the season to give Shrewsbury hope before half-time, the home side clinically picked the visitors off in the second period to seal a comfortable win. 'A lot of voices that weren't happy with each other' "There're nowhere to hide," Appleton said. "I'm very concerned. The reality is we need to be better, keep clean sheets and try to score that first goal."Scoring the first goal gives you so much more opportunity to get something out of the game but we haven't done that in a while."Appleton has brought in eight new players this summer in a bid to reshape his squad and, with the exception of young loanees Elyh Harrison and Tommy McDermott, nearly all have experience of the English Football is that aspect that is leaving Appleton scratching his head over performances."It's not as if there's kids in there," he said."There's a lot of experienced players in there who know this level and have done well and for whatever reason are not performing to the capabilities they can do."They're going to need picking up. I didn't have to say too much [after the game] because they were saying it all, which is a positive thing."There were a lot of voices who weren't happy with each other. Hopefully that's a good sign going forward." With the next game coming on Saturday against Swindon Town, Appleton says they can do little else but try to put things right as quickly as possible."I do and certainly all the players do - I can't wait for Saturday now," he said."It's moments like this, when you're under the pump and people are coming for you, that you find out who's with you and who's not, who's capable of getting points in games, getting goals and keeping clean sheets."These are the moments when you find out what you've got in your dressing room."I'm finding out about the players early which is a good thing."
BBC News
12 minutes ago
- BBC News
Robinson on being 'underdogs', defying the odds & transfers
Stephen Robinson has been speaking to the media before St Mirren host Rangers in the Premiership on are the key lines from his press conference:Robinson says his side are "massively underdogs" against "huge club" Rangers despite the difficult start under Russell Martin: "They've again spent a lot of money on building their squad. So we should not get anywhere near them."Saints beat Rangers twice and drew once last season, and Robinson says: "They should come and beat us. So no, I don't think the expectation has changed in terms of what should happen. But we have defied the odds and we'll have to play to that same standard again to do that against a team that's evolving."Robinson is hopeful his side can "exploit" Rangers' weaknesses and says his team "don't fear anybody".He believes when St Mirren win "everybody puts it down to physicality and organisation because we're a small side" but points out "we play some very, very good football as well".Robinson is "always active" as the transfer deadline looms, but is looking for someone who is "better than what we've got in the building".He is "no closer" to adding a new striker to the squad.
BBC News
16 minutes ago
- BBC News
Morton manager Dougie Imrie shares news of premature baby's death
Morton manager Dougie Imrie has shared the news that his baby girl Remi, who was recently born premature, has was delivered on 30 July, weighing 1lb 4oz, 14 weeks before her due a post on social media, Imrie said that his daughter had "decided it was time to rest" on Tuesday and that he and partner Lauren would cherish the time they had spent with club said that everyone had been devastated to learn of the news. Imrie, 42, had missed Morton's game against Dunfermline on 2 August, days after Remi was club had told fans he was dealing with a "private matter". Imrie told followers: "Our girl got tired in the early hours of Tuesday morning and decided it was time to then wrote the quote from author David Ellsworth: "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever."Imrie added: "20 days of loving you Remi, I hope you know how much you were loved and we will cherish the short time we got to spend with you, a true wee fighter from the minute you were born."We love you baby girl."Morton released a statement sharing "heartfelt condolences" with Imrie and his family.A spokesperson said: "Greenock Morton at this time request the privacy of the family as they try to come to terms with this profound loss and we will continue to provide our full support."Social media tributes from across the game followed the news, with other clubs, supporters and the SPFL expressing condolences.
