“One Harry Bassett, there’s only one Harry Bassett” – and now it’s official! Our fans have overwhelmingly agreed that our legendary manager was the greatest Wimbledon boss of all time!
Just check out our latest video and you’ll soon see why! We’ve unearthed some mesmerising and nostalgic footage of the good ol’ days when Harry led us into the old first division during a fantastic six-and-a-half-year reign in the 1980s.
Our film kicks off in the old BBC Grandstand studio with a very young-looking Steve Rider saying: “If there’s a candidate for team of the year, then it must be Wimbledon.
“Sixth in the First Division in their first season in the top flight, a Cup win over Everton, victory at Anfield, the double over Manchester United and a wonderful spell when they were top of the table.”
That alone tells you why Dave ‘Harry’ Bassett is our number one!
There’s unique dressing-room clips of him motivating the Crazy Gang, geeing them up for kick off – and then rollicking them after they’ve failed to win.
“That team cost £200,000 to assemble,” he recalls. “In the end, the club sold them for £8million and made an enormous profit.
“I don’t think any club will surpass what we achieved with such a small squad.”
Our current manager, Glyn Hodges, pays his own personal tribute, having known ‘H’ as a player and a manager. “I’ve been at four clubs with you, the fifth was my first coaching job, and it’s great you’re still on the end of a telephone for me. You deserve this honour so much after a period of time we can all be proud of. Many congratulations ‘H’ – and see you soon.”
The last word, naturally, has to go to Harry himself. “I’m absolutely delighted with this accolade but, without the players, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve such success.
“Wimbledon was my life. They were wonderful, amazing times with great memories. I’m extremely grateful and very proud of the players."