Joe Pigott said it had been the “toughest decision” of his career after he decided not to sign a new contract with us.
Since joining the Dons back in January 2018, ‘Pigs’ has played a pivotal part in retaining our League One status. His debut strike versus Blackpool was certainly a sign of things to come and he scored 54 goals in all competitions for us.
Joe’s passionate message is published in full below:
This has been the toughest decision of my career and I’ve decided that I will be looking for a new challenge. Firstly, it’s been an absolute privilege to play for this club as it represents exactly what the game is about – the fans. To not play in front of a packed Plough Lane is something that upsets me. Your support to me since my debut against Blackpool has been amazing.
The rise this club has had since reforming has been remarkable and to help play a part in stabilising the club in League One has been a pleasure. It hasn’t been easy at times, but the spirit of the club always shined through in the end. Everyone at the club should be very excited for the future.
The memories I have, including Bradford away, will stay with me forever. There are too many people to thank specifically and to name one would be unfair. I will miss everyone working at the club dearly. I’m sad to be leaving my home, but excited for what the future holds. I’m sure we will cross paths soon. Will miss you all.
Love Pigs x
After joining us from Maidstone three-and-a-half years ago, Joe scored so many vital goals in our relegation battles, including 16 league goals in 2018/19, as the Dons stayed up against the odds. However, last season was his most prolific campaign since joining us as he scored 20 league goals to keep us up once again. He combined superbly in attack with Ollie Palmer, Ryan Longman, and Ayoub Assal to help us to four successive wins in April – the first time we had achieved the feat as a League One club.
His contribution will never be forgotten by all of us at the club and we wish Joe every success in his next challenge.
Mark Robinson praised Joe for making such a positive contribution since his appointment as Head Coach earlier this year.
"It is obviously disappointing to lose Joe, but I honestly believe it's been a very difficult decision for him to make after what he was a part of in the last four months. He asked for time, and it was not an instant decision. Fundamentally though he needs to do what he believes is right for him in the next stage of his football challenge. Joe has done brilliantly for our club and we would not be a League One club without his contribution.
“On a personal note, Joe was so key to what we achieved in the last four months of the season. He bought into the new methods we introduced and helped drive the culture we wanted to achieve.
"I remember Wigan away, which was our first game together. I was doing analysis on aspects of how I believed we could play at the hotel in the evening. I had always been told you should never do more than 15 minutes with first team players as they switch off! After at least half an hour I thought it might be best to stop, but Joe spoke out and said, "No Robbo, keep going, it's good.” For one of your senior pros to say that is so powerful to the rest of the group and it set the tone for everything we wanted to achieve in terms of a development environment. He has been absolutely brilliant on and off the pitch. He’s a real Dons legend and so popular with all the players and staff.”
Click on the link below to watch a video that includes Joe’s highlights in a Dons shirt.