Left-back departs for Orient with tribute to Dons
Callum Kennedy today said it was an “amazing” experience to sign-off his AFC Wimbledon career with a Wembley victory that rewarded all the supporters for their hard work in the past 14 years.
Kennedy has signed a one-year deal with Leyton Orient, which will commence on July 1 following the expiration of his contract here, but Kennedy departed with a tribute to Wimbledon supporters after three years at the club.
“It was a rollercoaster time for me with a lot of ups and downs,” said Kennedy. “But it was amazing that I got to sign-off at the club by helping to give everyone what they deserved. Even in the last week when I’ve taken a step back from it all (Wembley win), I think I am still coming to terms with it.
“The experience is something I will remember for the rest of my life. What an occasion for the fans after the long journey they’ve been on and everything they did paid off. It was an amazing feeling for everyone and everything the fans had dreamed of.
“The team spirit was really good and we will all still be pals. That played a large part in our success last season. It was something that grew and it got stronger, which helped us to achieve something.”
Wembley success was particularly poignant for Kennedy as it came at the end of a season interrupted by the death of his father.
The 26-year-old left-back wore a T-shirt dedicated to his father Barry’s memory at Wembley, which offered inspiration to him on the day.
“My season was a bit stop-start and it began with what happened to my Dad,” said Kennedy. “It was a tough time for me. I wore the T-shirt for him and it gave me that extra five per cent to help us to victory. My friends and family were there on the day and I got quite emotional afterwards. Nothing would have pleased my Dad more than what happened at Wembley.”
AFC Wimbledon wishes Callum Kennedy well at his new club Orient, where he will link-up with Dons favourite Sammy Moore.