Interview with midfielder after Wembley glory
Jake Reeves says that the prospect of taking on “sleeping giants” in League 1 next season is an exciting challenge and a reward for all the hard work put in since AFC Wimbledon reformed 14 years ago.
The 23-year-old helped Brentford to promotion into the Championship two years ago, making 20 league appearances, but he said that AFC Wimbledon’s achievement meant even more to him and he can’t wait for next season.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Reeves said: “I played a part when Brentford got promoted and all credit for what they have done. However, getting promoted at Wembley with a club that has never been in League 1 and for what the fans have done here, I cannot explain how that feels.
“There are a few boys in our squad who have played in League 1 and I personally don’t think there’s a massive difference if I’m honest until you hit the top end of the league. There will be some good London derbies, including at Charlton Athletic. It will be great for our fans to visit these grounds and experience what it’s like. There are big clubs in League 1, including some sleeping giants, and it will be a great opportunity to go to these places to try and put one over on them.”
to view a video of captain Barry Fuller lifting the League 2 play-off final trophy at Wembley. The picture above shows Reeves (right) holding the trophy back at the club with John Green and Fuller.Wembley Glory channel. Click on You TubeA short video clip of Jake’s Dons Player interview is now on our official
Reeves also saluted the achievements of manager Neal Ardley after he transformed AFC Wimbledon from a side desperately battling to stay up three years ago into promotion winners.
“The manager has taken the club forward in strides,” added Reeves. “He deserves massive praise for that and so too do the board. To get the players in he has after surviving on the last day of the season is phenomenal. It encapsulates the whole of this club and everything people have done since the start.
“There was not one part of me that ever thought about losing. We were confident, relaxed and happy to be there. It was not a burden for us to be in the play-offs, perhaps like it was for Accrington, Plymouth and Portsmouth.
“We were excited to be in the play-offs. It worked perfectly for us as we had players like ‘Robbo’ and Darius who had got promoted before. Dannie Bulman was also phenomenal and I learned from him all season. It is credit to all the players, staff and those in the squad who were not playing. The fans were also brilliant at Wembley and everyone deserves it.
“It meant a lot to come back to the ground after Wembley and celebrate with the fans. It was great from the club to put it on. The fans deserved it for everything they have done and it was great to integrate with them. On a personal note, to have my family here and people who have rooted for me since I was young, I cannot put a price on that.”
. Dons PlayerThe full six-minute interview with Jake Reeves is now on