We were delighted to welcome Barry Fuller and his family to their first game at our new stadium on Saturday.
Of course, Barry is still revered by Wimbledon fans after captaining the Dons to promotion back in 2016, via a play-off final victory over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley.
In the build up to Saturday's fixture, Chris Thorpe caught up with our ex-skipper to discuss his homecoming, the ‘Wolfpack’, WhatsApp groups and more.
Barry (pictured right with Haydon and Anthony Wordsworth) was presented on the pitch before the game, along with our former midfielder.
Read the full transcript from the interview and listen to the interview below.
Q: Barry, I suppose it’s a case of welcome home. You must be so pleased to be here after all this time?
A: I’m really excited to be here, I think it’s been a long time coming. It’s difficult to get to games when you’re still playing. I was looking at the fixtures to work out when I could get a game in, so when I saw this and realised that I didn’t have a game myself I thought it was perfect. I contacted Ivor and luckily, he could fit me in. I’m excited to bring me and the family back.
Q: I bet they’re as buzzing as you to come down?
A: Yeah, they’ve followed me everywhere I’ve been in my career, but when we were here it felt like they were at home every week. They were well looked after by everyone and they could just do what they wanted when they were at the club - it was lovely.
Q: When you were playing for us, the plan was to get back here. It must bring it all back to you now to remember all the effort that so many people put in. To now see it in the flesh, it must be quite powerful for you?
A: I think all of the players over the years have played their part to get the club here. I wasn’t fortunate enough to play at this stadium, but you still know that everyone has been part of it, regardless of what level or timescale you were here. We’re here, we’re back, and it’s great to see the football club in such a fantastic stadium, which is fully deserved.
Q: We had two of your ex-teammates down recently for the Charlton game - Lyle Taylor and Dannie Bulman. Do you still keep in touch with those guys?
A: We still have a WhatsApp group. We always have a bit of banter, and we always plan to have a catch-up at the end of the season. We always reminisce about the times we had at the club and as a team and hopefully we can meet up in the summer.
Q: You’re still playing yourself - at Dorking Wanderers. There are a few ex-Wimbledon boys there with you too?
A: Yes, there’s Dan Gallagher, Luke Moore, Jason Prior and Ed Harris. So, there’s a few down there. Callum Kennedy, I think he’s coming to the game today as well.
Q: Do you afford yourself a look back at the final at Wembley?
A: It was on Sky only a few weeks ago. I always sit there and watch it when it’s on. The excitement of leading the team out and getting the result was amazing. And now to see the club still being in League One and filling out the stadium is what dreams were made of. We’ve achieved the dream for everyone.
Q: We’ve got Darius Charles on our coaching staff now. He brings that ‘Wolfpack’ spirit that you guys had. When you’re a player and you’re playing in these high-profile games, do you get a different feeling before the match?
A: Of course. That buzz and excitement you have for any football game is there. But when you understand the circumstances surrounding a fixture like today, not much has to be said to be honest. It speaks for itself. If these types of games don’t get you up for it, you’re probably in the wrong game to be honest. The manager at the time didn’t have to say a lot when we played this team. You had to make sure that in your head, you were ready to go to war.