Club President Dickie Guy’s football career could have gone in a completely different direction if he had decided to join Millwall as a teenager.
Long before Dickie became a Wimbledon hero for his goalkeeping heroics against Burnley and Leeds United, he almost signed apprentice forms for Millwall. However, Dickie recalled that incorrect advice from his father led the way towards Wimbledon.
“I had two or three seasons playing for Millwall’s youth team in the South East Counties League,” said Dickie. “The manager came down to my house because I lived on Cold Blow Lane and he asked my Dad if I would sign as an apprentice, but I turned it down. My Dad was under the impression that if you didn’t make it as an apprentice, then you couldn’t play as an amateur again! The amateur and professional games were completely different back then. I signed for Tooting & Mitcham and I played against The Dons. I had a season or so at Tooting & Mitcham before signing for Wimbledon.
“I’m quite happy with the way things turned out for me in my career! I had a great time in football and playing for Wimbledon was obviously a big part of my life.”
Dickie felt proud to be a part of AFC Wimbledon on that memorable FA Cup night against West Ham and he believes The Dons have a good chance of reaching the last-eight tomorrow.
“It was an absolutely incredible night when we beat West Ham in the last round. When they scored their second goal I was thinking I would be happy with a draw, but when our fourth goal went in, it was all over. It was an unbelievable day for the club. I think if we can put another performance in like that I will be very confident.
“My window cleaner came to mine the other day and he’s an avid Millwall supporter. He said he’s not at all confident as they are not too good away from home. I hope he is right!”
Dickie will feature on Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday (from 12 noon) with Ivor Heller talking about his footballing hero.