Wimbledon Legend John Fashanu signs up with the real Dons

John Fashanu has pledged his loyalty to the fans’-owned club AFC Wimbledon by signing up to the Wimbledon Old Players' Association (WOPA), which officially launched today.

WOPA is being set up by the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) as part of its campaign to reclaim the history of Wimbledon Football Club for AFC Wimbledon and/or the community of Wimbledon. WISA is being assisted by Nine Consultancy.

Membership of WOPA is open to all former Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon players and managers. Among the sixty founder members are Alan Kimble, Dave Beasant, Dean Holdsworth, Hans Segers, Efan Ekoku, Glyn Hodges, Gary Peters, Andy Thorn, Roger Joseph, Peter Fear, Mick Smith, Dickie Guy, Allen Batsford, Roger Connell, Ian Cooke, Roy Law, Steve Galliers, Gavin Bolger, Glenn “Trigger” Mulcaire, Keith Ward and Kevin Cooper.

Fashanu, an England international who played for the Dons for ten years in the late 80s and early 90s, said: “I am proud to join up with the Wimbledon Old Players’ Association.

“It’s going to be great to be back as part of the Wimbledon family. As an ex-Wimbledon player, I know all about the heroics of the likes of Roy Law and Dickie Guy in the old days, as well as what the new boys have been doing at AFC Wimbledon.

“I have nothing but respect for the achievements of AFC Wimbledon. Over the last three years, they have proved that they are the real Wimbledon.

“Their fans are the fans I played in front of. They have real respect for the history of the Wimbledon I played for, for its achievements, and what it meant to me – and I am looking forward to reacquainting myself with them.”

Simon Wheeler, chair of WISA, said: “We have had a staggering response from former players of Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon.

“The enthusiasm that so many former Wimbledon heroes have for AFC Wimbledon firmly demonstrates that the history and honours of Wimbledon FC live on at AFC Wimbledon and within the community of Wimbledon.”

One of WOPA’s functions will be to provide the players for the new AFC Wimbledon Masters team, and Fashanu is looking forward to playing his part. He said: “As soon as I heard about the AFC Wimbledon Masters team, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I’ve spoken to Jonah (Vinnie Jones) and Wisey (Dennis Wise) about it as well, and they are also up for it.”

The AFC Wimbledon Masters team is in advanced talks with Sky Sports about taking part in the 2006 London Masters. The Ajax Masters team is expected to provide the opposition for an end-of-season showpiece in May at Kingsmeadow.

The Masters team is being organised by ex-AFC Wimbledon player and managing director of Nine Consultancy, Glenn “Trigger” Mulcaire and AFC Wimbledon director, Ivor Heller.

WOPA will enable ex-players to get in touch with one another, and keep them in touch with events happening throughout the community.



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For Further Information Please Contact:

WOPA: Niall Couper: niallcouper@yahoo.co.uk
WOPA/WISA History Campaign: Simon Wheeler: chair@wisa.org.uk

Editors Notes:

WISA are an independent organisation, representing the views of Wimbledon fans since 1995.

Nine Consultancy is a crisis management consultancy run by Glenn Mulcaire, the scorer of AFC Wimbledon’s first goal in July 2002.