He’s here, he’s there, he’s every… you know the rest! Sammy Moore spent five years with the Dons between 2010 and 2015 – a period of his career he describes as the “best”.
Ahead of our London derby against Leyton Orient we caught up with the popular 35-year-old to talk memories, management and more as he revealed all about his time on the south and east sides of the capital.
You first came to us as a trialist. What were your first impressions of the club?
My Dad rang Terry Brown up and asked if I could come in. I knew a lot of players that were already at the club, such as (Danny) Kedwell, Mainy (Jon Main) and Luke Moore. As soon as I arrived I knew it was a family club and that it was one stacked with history.
I played well in a friendly that was at Corinthian-Casuals’ ground and from that point onwards Browny told me that they wanted to offer me a short-term deal. I was naturally buzzing and knew that I had to work hard to earn a longer deal.
I knew that I wanted to be at it for many years. I was invited in with open arms and got on with everyone really well. Straight away I knew it was the right club for me to continue developing in my career. Everyone shared the same passion and ambition as me.
What’s your best memories of the promotion season?
I was lucky to be part of that team and to do it in the season I joined was even better. We were together on and off the pitch. You could see the desire to win every game. We weren’t the most technically gifted team but we were a good unit and we had the team spirit required to be successful.
I wish I was still playing football for Wimbledon now. It’s a club that gives you so much and for that reason you knew you wanted to give everything for the badge. Everyone bought into the Wimbledon way and the tradition.
Luton were arguably a better side than us on paper but on that day there was only going to be one winner. We had a belief that it was our destiny to win the final.
You scored some crackers over the years. What’s was your favourite goal?
The one that sits in my mind was the one away at Wycombe. It was always a good ground for me scoring wise. It was after Simon Bassey had taken caretaker charge after Browny had left. I hit a volley and I remember seeing Terry in the stand at the game.
It summed it up that he loved the club so much that he was willing to still watch us and cheer us on. Along with that I still think I’ve got the record for the quickest goal, I scored away against Mansfield in about 11 seconds. Every goal meant so much to me because I knew the people behind the club.
How did it feel to win the Player of the Year award?
It was an amazing season for me personally. I had a few clubs which came in for me but after negotiating with Browny, Cashy (Stuart Cash) and Erik (Samuelson), I knew that there was only one place I wanted to be.
Everything I needed off the field, they did for me. They couldn’t do more for me and my family if they tried. Every time I put that shirt on it was to win games of football for Wimbledon.
What was it like to leave Wimbledon?
It came at a time when my wife was at every game and then my Mum passed away. I remember we played Dagenham away and I got told after the game that she’d been taken to hospital. She died two days later. It was hard to cope with things off the field.
I didn’t really want to leave but Neal Ardley had different plans, which is something I had to respect. It was gutting because I gave my heart and soul to the club for five years but that’s football. I feel I left the club in a better situation than when I came in.
It’s the first result I look out for. It’s the best club I’ve been at and I played my best football there. My family were made to feel loved and that’s something I’ll never forget. There’s no other club in the country like it and until you play for it, you won’t understand that.
Looking from afar I want them to do well because it’s in my blood. I hope the good times keep coming because the fans deserve it. They’re the most passionate fans I’ve ever played for.
You spent two years at Leyton Orient. Did you enjoy it?
They’re a big club for their level. My career with them started well under Ian Hendon and Andy Hessenthaler. We were top half after eight games after winning six of them and I was enjoying my football.
There were then a few problems off the field with the chairman that the club had at the time. He was getting involved in team affairs and then after a new manager came in we weren’t getting paid. It went on for three months, so being a home owner it became very worrying.
It was frustrating but it’s a good club with good people. It’s good to see that they are back on the right track now. The fans deserve some happiness.
How have you found the step into management?
I wanted to go in a new direction after playing and I saw it as the next natural step in my career. It’s been successful so far, I’ve been at a few clubs and learnt plenty.
I feel at home now with Faversham Town. We’ve got huge ambitions to move up through the leagues. Having been at Wimbledon I know what promotion looks like and I also have some really good contacts that I can tap into.
You took Isaac Ogundere on loan whilst you were at Potters Bar. What was it like to work with him?
Michael Hamilton trusted us to develop Isaac when he came to Potters Bar. He was excellent for me, he enjoyed his football – I just told him to go and express himself.
I like to think that we played a part in making him the player that he is now. It’s great to have seen him move on leaps and bounds this season. He’s a good lad and he’s got the mentality to succeed at that level.
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