Football legends return home 20 years after FA cup win
Legendary stars of Wimbledon FC Dave Beasant, Roy Law and Lawrie Sanchez were welcomed by Merton Council today (Wednesday, 27 February) to officially open the new permanent exhibition of memorabilia from the team’s glory days.
Adding even more magic and excitement to the opening event, the Football Association kindly loaned Merton Council the FA Cup for the occasion.
Forty-four years after Roy Law held the FA Amateur Cup and 20 years after Dave Beasant lifted the FA Cup following Wimbledon’s 1988 win against Liverpool, fans are now able to see the club treasures back on home turf. Specially-designed glass display cases in Morden Library will house many items including a miniature FA Cup from 1988, the football from the first game played by Wimbledon FC following the club’s 1977 promotion to the Football League, archive photography, and match programmes.
Merton Council Leader Councillor David Williams said: “We are delighted to see all these fabulous pieces of memorabilia that Wimbledon FC worked so hard to achieve on permanent display where they should be - here in Merton. It will be a privilege for us to meet the stars of those great years, and for them formally to open the exhibition for everyone to enjoy has been truly be a wonderful experience.”
At the opening, Dave Beasant, the only man in history to save an FA Cup Final penalty at Wembley and the Captain of the triumphant Wimbledon team said: 'It was a magnificent day for all the lads, for all the Wimbledon fans and all the people of Merton. I'm just proud to be a part of it.
'I fancied my chances with the John Aldridge penalty. I had faced seventeen that season, so I'd had plenty of practice and I just went and guessed right.
'When I was presented with the FA Cup, by Diana, Princess of Wales, I was so very proud of the team and effort put in by manager Bobby Gould and former England coach, Don Howe.
'Nothing prepared me for the next day. We went on an open top bus tour through Wimbledon and over 25, 000 people turned out, with banners, flags, bugles and horns. The bus stopped outside the Town Hall and we appeared, with the precious FA Cup, on the balcony, to a welcome I'll never forget.
'That's why I'm delighted that the Cup memorabilia, the FA replica Cup and all the history and honours of Wimbledon Football Club have been returned, at last, to their rightful home, Wimbledon. Merton Council has kindly given this history pride of place in the Civic Centre and I'm proud to launch the Exhibition with Lawrie Sanchez and Roy Law.
'I'm aware that there are still websites claiming that I played for Milton Keynes. This is just not true. None of us played for Milton Keynes and we are proud to remain Wimbledon, through and through.'
Scorer of the winning goal at Wembley in 1988 Lawrie Sanchez said: 'I am delighted that the honours have, at last, been returned to their rightful home, in Merton. Throughout the club history players fought for them, supported by loyal fans and continually 'over-achieved'. The rise from the Isthmian League, winning the FA Amateur Cup, into Southern League and on to the Football League is true football history. The unique distinction of winning the Amateur Cup and FA Cup can never be equalled. Now those honours are on show for the people of Merton and the fans of Wimbledon to enjoy.'
Captain of the team when they won the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley in 1963 against Sutton, Roy Law said: 'I'm really looking forward to seeing our honours back in Merton. The cup win was a triumph for teamwork and the true spirit of Wimbledon Football Club.'
Chair of Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association Simon Wheeler said: 'The Trophies and honours earned by Wimbledon players representing our community will be on display where they should be and we are sure that they will provide an opportunity for current and future generations of Wimbledon supporters to marvel in our past glories.
'WISA would like to thank all parties who have helped to make this a reality. It took WISA over five years to reclaim the honours and we are extremely grateful to Merton Council for giving them a fantastic new home.'
President of AFC Wimbledon Dickie Guy said: 'I am extremely pleased, on behalf of all the fans of Wimbledon, everybody who works at the club and the people of Merton, to welcome the return of our history and honours. So many players have been involved in the glorious achievements of this club, as Wimbledon FC and now, as AFC Wimbledon that it is difficult to stress the importance of any one team.
If I had to point to the most influential periods, I suppose I'd like to mention the 1947 team that reached the Wembley Final of the Amateur Cup, the 1963 side that won the trophy under Roy Law's captaincy, the mid-seventies team that won the Southern League three years running and gained us entry into the Football League and of course, the 1988 team, led by Dave Beasant that completed the unique double, by winning the F.A. Cup. No other club has achieved this and as President, I am especially pleased to see those honours back where they belong, for all fans to enjoy.
We need to thank the members of WISA (Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association) and the FSF (Football Supporters Federation) for their tireless efforts in securing the return of this wonderful collection.'
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Note to editors
In total, there are 412 pieces of memorabilia. In order to exhibit them all, the council will rotate the items on display which will be open to the public to view from Thursday 28 February.
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