Robbo insisted last night that Joe Pigott is a club legend - and this got us thinking about some of our other all-time heroes...
We’ve put together the names we think have earned legendary status, but we'd love to know what you think too. Here are some of the best Dons in our fantastic history:
Dickie Guy
For THAT save against Leeds and for being Wimbledon's ultimate statesman, our goalkeeping great simply can’t be left out of any discussion on club legends. The tally clerk who worked at West India Docks in London played a major part in Wimbledon’s success as a non league club during the 1970s, his seven years at the club including the memorable 1975 FA Cup run when he saved Peter Lorimer’s penalty to defy the mighty Leeds United. We’ve been hugely proud to have Dickie as our Club President since the rebirth of AFC Wimbledon in 2002.
Ian Cooke
The statistics speak for themselves: 297 goals in 615 appearances for Wimbledon. Ian served Wimbledon with distinction between 1963 and 1977. During that time he helped the Dons to three successive Southern League titles between 1974 to 1977, a key part of Allen Batsford’s side that established themselves as the kings of non league. Ian’s spell at Wimbledon ended just before Wimbledon were elected to the league in 1977, but when the club reformed in 2002 he initially became a director and has attended games regularly.
Vinnie Jones
Revered by Wimbledon supporters for THAT tackle on Steve McMahon in the 1988 FA Cup Final, Vinnie could also play a bit too! After arriving at Plough Lane from non league Wealdstone, Vinnie memorably scored his first Wimbledon goal in 1986 – the winner versus Manchester United. Vinnie had two spells with Wimbledon, and both of them were hugely successful. As well as helping the Dons to upset Liverpool in the 1988 final, Vinnie played a part in us becoming a top-six side in the top-flight, a feat that was also achieved by Wimbledon during his second spell in the 1990s.
Dave Beasant
The man nicknamed ‘Lurch’ will forever be remembered for becoming the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup Final when he denied Liverpool’s John Aldridge in 1988, helping the Dons to glory at Wembley. However, Dave’s contribution to Wimbledon’s history was about much more than just that memorable day almost 33 years ago. Signed from non league Edgware Town in 1979, Dave played a major part in one of the greatest achievements in English football history, as Dave Basssett’s side marched from the old Division Four to the top-flight in just four seasons during the 1980s. Dave went onto join Chelsea and Alan Cork is shown below scoring past him at Stamford Bridge!
Alan Cork
Alan’s goals played a significant part in Wimbledon’s rise through the leagues during the 1980s. In fact, he holds the Wimbledon record for both appearances and goals at Football League level – 168 goals scored in more than 500 appearances for the club. ‘Corkie’ is also the only man to have scored in all four of the old divisions, plus the Premier League, for the same club. After joining the Dons in 1978 after being released by Derby County, the goals flowed for Alan and he struck 15 goals as Wimbledon earned promotion to the top-flight in 1986. Though often used as a substitute in the top-flight, Alan started the 1988 FA Cup Final versus Liverpool and he remained a valued squad member until he left the club in 1992 to join up again with Dave Bassett at Sheffield United.
Robbie Earle
Robbie’s talents were showcased to an audience all around the globe when he scored for Jamaica in the 1998 World Cup against Croatia, but Dons fans knew all about his eye for goal long before that! With Robbie having hit double figures in five seasons at Port Vale, it appeared to be an astute signing by Wimbledon in 1991 – and that certainly proved to be the case. A leader by example, Earle captained the “Crazy Gang” to League Cup and FA Cup semi-finals, and became widely known for his all-action performances in the middle of the park. As well as his leadership qualities, Robbie’s goalscoring exploits made him a favourite with Dons supporters. He scored 76 goals for Wimbledon, including a memorable double in a 3-1 victory at Arsenal in 1995 and his performances helped to establish Wimbledon as a top-six side in the Premier League during the 1990s.
Marcus Gayle
A £250,000 capture from Brentford, Marcus became a fixture in the Dons line up between 1994-2001, during which time he played in the 1998 World Cup with Jamaica. His most memorable moment in a Wimbledon shirt came a year earlier when he scored the winner in an FA Cup tie against a Manchester United side that dominated English football in the 1990s. After spells with Rangers, Watford, and Brentford, Marcus made a Dons return, playing a key role at the start of the Terry Brown era when AFC Wimbledon were promoted from the Ryman League Premier Division with victory at Staines Town.
Kevin Cooper
Kevin lined up for Sutton in July 2002 hoping to earn a contract with them, but he ended up becoming a club legend for the opponents – AFC Wimbledon. ‘Coops’ scored two goals on the night AFC Wimbledon was reborn at Gander Green Lane, but he was convinced to join a new era at the Dons – and the rest is history! A total of 107 goals in 97 appearances followed, including scoring AFC Wimbledon’s first league goal versus Sandhurst Town. Kevin’s goals helped the Dons to win the Combined Counties League for the one and only time and he even proposed to his wife on the pitch at Kingsmeadow!
Jason Goodliffe
A no-nonsense defender who enjoyed a glorious spell with the Dons – two promotions in two seasons! After finally helping us out of the Ryman League in 2008, Jason led the charge into the non league’s top-flight, captaining Wimbledon to the Blue Square South title in 2009. Jason signed off his Dons career with a goal in the title-winning promotion party against St Albans, but it was his steely displays at the back and leadership skills that are remembered most by Wimbledon supporters. Jason is rightly revered by Dons fans for playing a vital part in our club’s rise through non league.
Danny Kedwell
‘Keds’ will forever be remembered for THAT penalty at Manchester. His spot-kick earned us our rightful place in the league – just nine years after starting again in 2002. Danny joined us in September 2008 from Grays Athletic with Terry Brown picking him out as an aggressive centre forward who could lift Wimbledon through the divisions – and he certainly wasn’t wrong! The goals flowed and there were so many memorable moments, but one of the highlights was when he scored the winner versus Crawley after they tried to sign him. The men from Sussex earned a reputation at the time for buying the best non league talent around, but Danny stayed loyal to the Dons – and silenced Steve Evans!
Jon Main
Jon became AFC Wimbledon’s then record signing in November 2007 just days after playing and scoring against them for his previous club Tonbridge Angels! A striker with electric pace, ‘Mainy’ was simply lethal in front of goal and he scored 33 goals in our title-winning 2008/09 season, breaking the Blue Square South scoring record. Jon’s late goal at Hampton & Richmond effectively sealed the title – and led to Dons supporters partying on the pitch at the Beveree! His solo goal a season earlier is still talked about to this day by Wimbledon supporters as Jon sealed victory in the play-off semi-final at a packed Kingsmeadow.
Barry Fuller
After arriving from Barnet in 2013, Barry’s tough-tackling displays quickly established him as a Dons favourite. His commitment to the cause simply couldn’t be questioned, powering up and down the right flank game after game. His contribution to promotion in 2016 summed up his value and dedication to the team. At 2-0 down in the second leg at Accrington, Wimbledon’s Wembley dreams appeared to be in tatters, but Barry produced a lung-bursting run down the right before somehow getting in a cross as the ball headed towards the touchline. Bayo Akinfenwa headed home and the Dons were on the way to Wembley, where play-off glory was sealed against Plymouth. Barry made over 200 league appearances for Wimbledon and his name was sung on regular occasions at home matches before he left the club in 2018.
Lyle Taylor
One look at Lyle’s CV when he arrived at Wimbledon in 2015 showed that he was a striker who had struggled to put down roots at one club. Having had 12 clubs in total before joining us, Lyle needed a club to show him plenty of love and to get the best out of his undoubted talent. The decision to sign him by Neal Ardley turned into a masterstroke. In his first season with the Dons Lyle scored 23 goals, including the all-important opening goal in the 2016 play-off at Wembley against Plymouth. He continued to score prolifically at League One level after promotion, and his goal in the club’s first league victory against Milton Keynes is still warmly remembered by Dons supporters.
What do you think of our selections above? Should one of your heroes have made the frame? If so, let us know on the club’s Twitter page using #Donslegends .