For each day in July, Stephen Crabtree will be selecting a memorable Wimbledon match from every season since 1989-90.
Stephen, who is the Editor of the Historical Don, today looks back on the day in 1990-91 when new manager Ray Harford’s careful coaching came to fruition with the destruction of Norwich at Carrow Road.
Saturday 1st December 1990: Barclays League Division One
Norwich City (0) 0
Wimbledon (4) 4
Fashanu 1, 29, Barton 20, Scales 22
Completely dominant at Carrow Road, the Dons showcased the “classy football” that manager Ray Harford had vowed to introduce. Returning to the ground where he had begun his career, John Fashanu’s goal after 25 seconds set the tone and there were three further strikes in the opening half hour as Wimbledon ran riot. Having throttled the Canaries, the visitors were able to see out the final hour knowing that Norwich were a well beaten outfit.
“I thought we were magnificent today,” Harford said. “We would not have been flattered if the final score had been six or seven. The only problem was at half-time I did not know what to say. Obviously the first half was superb, but I was also pleased with the second period. We killed the game off totally and did not allow Norwich the chance to get back at us. That was very professional.”
With the Dons in the top flight’s top six, the only cloud on the horizon was the future of Plough Lane in light of the Taylor report’s requirement for all-seater stadia. With the Premier League-era drawing closer and clubs beginning the scramble to upgrade their facilities, Wimbledon’s home of 79 years had no future and within six months first-team football under the giant electricity pylons in SW19 had ended.
Wimbledon: Segers, Joseph, Phelan, Barton, Blackwell, Curle, McGee, Kruszynski (Sanchez 88), Fashanu, Scales, Gibson.