Left-back Harrison to gain experience
Promising left-back Ben Harrison has today joined Ryman League – Premier Division side Tonbridge Angels on a month’s loan from the Dons.
The 18-year old, who was nominated for the LFE Apprentice of the Year last season, will be looking to emulate the successful loan spell of Development squad team-mate David Fitzpatrick earlier this season.
Fitzpatrick’s spell with the promotion-chasing Kent side resulted in AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley including him in his first-team plans. The tricky winger provided the cross for Andy Barcham’s goal in the 2-0 victory at Notts County last Saturday, having come on as a substitute.
Manager Neal Ardley explained: “To be fair to Alan Reeves he’s had a few games cancelled at 21s level and the boys are itching to play. With the youth team doing so well in the cup we’ve kept a few of the second year under-18s with Mark Robinson to prepare for that and long may that continue, but at some point we want to start stepping them up and for them to do that we need to consider giving a bit of experience of men’s football to others.”
“Ben came to me last week asking to go on loan,” said Development coach Alan Reeves. “Tonbridge were looking for a left-back and Neal is happy to loan Ben out for a month. He’s in their squad for the visit of Metropolitan Police tomorrow and he could get six to seven games and I’ll be going along during his loan to check up on him.”
Harrison, a “Home Grown and Hungry” product of the Academy, made his League Two debut at the age of 17 at Accrington Stanley last season. He signed his first professional contract in 2014.