Best friend of Kedwell aims to create club history of his own
Barry Fuller’s career highlight came in 2009 when he captained Gillingham to League 2 play-off success, but the tough-tackling right-back believes his peak years are still to come at AFC Wimbledon.
that he is in great shape after joining Wimbledon and he hopes he can be as successful at the club as his good friend Danny Kedwell. Our picture gallery shows Barry in action during Gillingham’s play-off win against Shrewsbury at Wembley and making one or two incisive challenges for the Gills.Dons PlayerThe 28-year-old told
We now publish the full interview with Barry, which appeared on Dons Player yesterday, and we today feature an in-depth interview with Ivor Heller about a new sponsorship deal and the commercial side of the club on our premium site.
Here’s the full transcript of what Barry had to say about joining Wimbledon:
I am delighted to say that joining us on Dons Player is Barry Fuller, who has today joined Wimbledon. What does it mean to be an AFC Wimbledon player Barry?
I am really pleased because I have heard a lot of good things about the club. I am best friends with Danny Kedwell and he could not speak more highly about Wimbledon. Over the last few years everyone knows how Wimbledon have progressed through the leagues. I want to be a part of the club’s history and help the club take the next step.
What did Danny Kedwell say about the club exactly?
He spoke about how friendly the club is and said that the fans are great and the atmosphere. That is what you want to hear as a footballer because you want to play for a well-supported club. When I have played against Wimbledon a couple of times in the last year or so I noticed that the club had a good following. Funnily enough, I sat in the crowd close to the Wimbledon fans when Barnet played here last season because I was suspended and the atmosphere was unbelievable. I cannot wait to walk out onto the pitch as a Wimbledon player and listen to that atmosphere.
A year ago you were potentially going to be a part of Gillingham’s promotion tilt as it seemed you were touch and go to be retained by Martin Allen. Having since been at Barnet for the last year, how much of a motivation is it to be fighting at the other end of the table?
It is not much of a motivation for me really because no matter where I am playing I will give 100 per cent. I am the type of player who plays the same whether I am playing for a team near the top or at the bottom. I wear my heart on my sleeve and what you see is what you get. I am really looking forward to walking out for that first game and hopefully we will be pushing at the right end of the table next season.
For those Wimbledon supporters who have not seen you play, what type of player are you?
You know that you will always get 100 per cent from me. You are going to see a few tackles and I do not let any left wingers get past me!
How much did Neal Ardley have to sell the club to you?
Not too much really because I had obviously noticed what Wimbledon had achieved in recent years. When I sat down with Neal he spoke about what he wants to do with the club and the team. That convinced me even more that I wanted to jump on board and get the paperwork signed as soon as possible.
What have been the main achievements of your career so far?
Winning the League 2 play-off final with Gillingham and lifting the trophy as captain. Also, winning the FA Trophy with Stevenage in the first competitive match at the new Wembley and it is great to be a two-time Wembley winner.
How satisfying was it to be a part of a club on the rise?
To be a footballer with a club that has a chance of winning trophies is what you want to do and they were great times. I feel that this club is on a path to go onto bigger and better things too.
How much have you still got to offer as a player at the age of 28?
I have a lot to offer because I have a few years left in me yet. I am in the best shape of my life and I am the fittest that I have even been in my career. Hopefully, I will be here for a long time.
Do you have feelings of regret with the way it turned out at Barnet because you missed the last few games and the club were relegated?
I missed the last four or five games and I would have liked to have played in them even though we were going through tough times. You do not want to be sitting on the sidelines and that was tough for me. However, that is behind me now and this is a new chapter in my career that I am really looking forward to.
I guess the idea will be to keep yourself ticking over during the close season so that you can hit the ground running as a Wimbledon player?
I have tried to keep myself as fit as possible so far, but having three kids to look after certainly keeps you on your toes! I will keep myself ticking over throughout the summer because I want to get off to a good start when I join up with the rest of the squad for pre-season.