Returning hero John Fashanu paid tribute to the work of our fans for resurrecting the club, and said the next time he’s in town he’s bringing Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise with him!
Fash was back at Plough Lane with his family on Saturday to see for himself our new home - the Cherry Red Records Stadium - for the first time and he was given a warm welcome by our supporters.
“The supporters are what makes a team,” said Fash. “I was talking to Vinnie Jones and Dennis Wise before I came here, and I said to Jonesy – we are a team! Still, today, we are a team. The fans, the supporters – they put their money down and said, 'we can control this.' Why? Because they knew they could do better. The testimony to it is here. They’ve been absolutely amazing!
“I’m just so happy and I feel so proud, and when I get home I’ll call Wisey and Jonesy and tell them we’re all coming back here.
“I’m out in the federal capital of Nigeria, Abuja, and every day I’m reading something about AFC Wimbledon. The lovely thing is it’s getting noticed! People aren’t talking to me about going to Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester United anymore – they’re saying Wimbledon!
“To you supporters reading this, just take note that we’re seeing everything you’re doing and appreciate everything you’re doing to make this club great again."
“A team called Wimbledon was my life, so coming back here is amazing. We love each other. This is where, as far as I'm concerned, Harry Bassett started with John Fashanu. I saw the good, I saw the bad and a very little ugly, and this is my home, but the home has got bigger! It’s awesome! I travelled for hours on a plane from Nigeria, but I’m home, I feel at home, and I'm loving it.”
Fash paid a visit to our museum at the stadium – The Greatest Story – part of which is dedicated to the achievement of that special day in 1988, when he and the rest of the Crazy Gang beat the mighty Liverpool 1-0 to lift the FA Cup.
While former team-mate Vinnie Jones was happy to share his winners’ medal with us, Fash is keeping a firm hold on his treasured possession!
“My medal is where it should be,” said Fash. “In my house, locked up! If anyone is thinking I’m sharing it – no, I’m not Jonesy! Sorry!
“We battled and it was a real battle. There are scars today, still on our bodies, but at the end of the day we came away from it with a great victory. We beat the mighty Reds when nobody thought we could. Here it is everywhere, and it shows. When I came in the museum for the first time I said – 'Wow!' This is it – what a win!”
Pictures: Stephen Flynn (Pro Sports Images).
You can see the full interview with John Fashanu below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.