Andy Thorn knows a thing or two about the FA Cup, having marshalled our defence to a famous 1-0 victory over Liverpool on that day back in 1988.
A tournament that Andy describes as ‘massive’, it’s something that has been part of his life from being a boy to a man and it’s for that reason that he is looking forward to this season’s edition of the famous competition.
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In his own words, Andy sums up the feelings of euphoria in 1988 and brings us up to speed with how he is enjoying his new role as our Chief Scout.
“Incredible to live it”
When people say it’s not the biggest competition now they forget that inside every football person there is a desire to win the FA Cup. It’s a massive tournament regardless of what people say. It gives everybody a buzz, no matter who you are.
I still have memories of when I was a kid, getting up in the morning early doors to watch the teams at the hotel and then on the coach to the game, followed by the match. It was incredible to actually do that and live that myself as a player.
I felt nervous ahead of the final but that was a good sign. I think if you’re not nervous before a game, you’re not really focusing. You have to be on edge to make sure you gets things right. A couple of halves of lager the night before helped me to sleep well!
The truth is we fancied our chances. We were so well organised that we knew the players we had in our team would reach the levels we needed. We overcame so many obstacles in the lead up to the final. We played a league game in the week leading up to it – if me or Wisey (Dennis Wise) had got booked, we’d have been suspended. It was for that reason that Gouldy (Bobby Gould) didn’t take us.
The training leading up to the final was the best training I had during my time at Wimbledon. Everyone knew their jobs. We knew what to do which meant nothing really fazed us.
There was a rumour going around at one stage that we wouldn’t even get out of our own penalty area but that never materialised! If we put in that performance against Liverpool nowadays it would be all over the papers. Defensively we were outstanding. I don’t think we ever got credit for being that good.
There was a period in the second-half when they cranked up the pressure on us but we still felt comfortable. We stayed in our spots and defended our space. We kept squeezing and catching them offside. It was then that I began to think “this is our day!”
Then they got that penalty – which was never a penalty! When Lurch (Dave Beasant) saved it, that feeling of “we’re going to do it” came back again. I always fancied him from the penalty because he’d worked on it so much in the build-up. I worked for Aldo (John Aldridge) later on in my career and he always said “I can’t believe he saved that penalty!”
People were so worried that we were going to do something or say something when we went up to the Royal Box. Gouldy was having a panic! In the end it was fine, it was an amazing experience. The whole day went so quickly. The first thing I remember about it was walking out the tunnel, looking to the far end at the scoreboard and seeing the heat haze cast over it. It was 100 degrees on that pitch.
The next minute it’s kick-off, then it’s half-time before you know it. You had to play on instinct to ensure you were in the right place at the right time. It was a phenomenal occasion to play in. To win it and meet Lady Di (Diana Spencer) is what dreams are made of!
People also forget that in the three years that followed we finished sixth in the first division. It was unbelievable, nowadays you’re playing in Europe if you do that! It could have been AC Milan vs the Super Dons!
We produced so many players from our academy, there was one game where everyone on the pitch was a graduate. They’re the type of things you hang on to. I look at our team now and I see that identity of the Club.
I’m still in touch with Lurch and Gibbo (Terry Gibson) a lot. I see Terry Phelan, Vinnie (Jones) and Wisey every now and then. When you see anyone from that group it’s like no time has passed whatsoever. You feel like you’re 21 again. You realise you’re not the next morning when you wake up!
“It’s a bit special for me”
It’s something that I was looking forward to getting my teeth into. As soon as it was agreed we were knuckling down with our work, there was no holiday or break. We had to in order to bring in the number of players that we needed.
There’s been a lot of rewards for the hardwork that has gone in. The nicest thing for me is that a Wimbledon fan said to me the other day that this is the best squad we’ve had for years. That makes the job a bit special for me. The next challenge for us is to add to the squad again.
I think we’ve started the season well. I know we’ve had a blip of late but if we keep going and adding to the squad, we will achieve whatever we want to achieve. I’m enjoying working with Craig Cope, he has a really good work ethic, everybody at the Club sees what he does.
The feeling around the place is that there could be something going on here. That’s not a case of putting pressure on the Club, it’s just that I think the players and staff we have are good enough to achieve it. They’ve already proved they are, now we have to take the next step.
We’ve identified targets ahead of January and planned for many situations that could play out. We all know the challenges of a January Window and the changing landscape but we are hopeful we can deliver a positive window.
