"He runs through brick walls" was the recommendation
It was a recommendation that led to Barry Fuller joining AFC Wimbledon and it certainly encapsulates why the popular right-back was selected as the club’s Player of the Year.
“Barry Fuller runs through brick walls” was a metaphorical reference to Barry’s determination to succeed from former AFC Wimbledon midfielder Mark Beard when first-team coach Simon Bassey sought his advice last summer.
Almost a season later and Barry (picture above by Zoe Linkson) is a Dons favourite after winning the WISA Allen Batsford Player of the Year, the Player’s Player of the Year and the WDON accolade.
.Dons You TubeVideo footage from Saturday’s awards presentation can be viewed by clicking on
Speaking to Rob Cornell during an interview for Dons Player, Barry believes he’s got a bit of that Crazy Gang spirit in his play that the Wimbledon faithful identify with.
“One thing the fans do get from me every week is 100 per cent because I wear my heart on my sleeve,” said Barry. “I think that’s the sort of thing that they love at this club from the days of the Crazy Gang. I’ve had a couple of relegations on my CV, including last season at Barnet, and it was disappointing because I’m the type of player who does not like losing at anything.
“Coming here I was determined not to be involved in that again. The manager knew that from day one when I met him and that I would be driving the players and the team on. I did not want them to go through that. The knee injury I had two years ago was a massive part of my career. I was out for 12 months and I was told that it was ’50-50’ about me playing again.
“I wanted to prove people wrong though and in the last two seasons I’ve broken the 40-game mark. I’m still a bit shocked to win these awards. I did not really know anyone when I first came to this club, but I’ve been made to feel so welcome by players, staff and the fans. That has helped me perform on the pitch and since I signed at the club I’ve loved every minute of it. It will take a couple of days for all of this to sink in, but the job is not done because we still have one game to go.”
Hundreds packed into the middle bar after Saturday’s Morecambe match to see Barry pick up his awards and the full list of winners is below:
– Barry FullerThe WISA Allen Batsford Player of the Year
– Barry FullerPlayer’s Player of the Year
– Barry Fuller, Ross WornerJunior Dons Player of the Year
– George Francomb(sponsored by the Womble Underground Press)Natalie Callow Young Player of the Year Award
– Barry Fuller.Radio WDON Player of the Year
We will feature more photographs from our Player of the Year awards on the official website tomorrow.