Let’s go back in time. When an unknown South-West London club had quietly worked their way through the Isthmian Leagues, winning eight league titles along the way. Finally, after winning three consecutive Southern League championships, they were finally elected to the football league for the 1977/78 season. That club was Wimbledon Football Club – the Crazy Gang.

Wimbledon’s meteoric rise is a true rags-to-riches story. One that is likely never to be repeated. A proper footballing fairy-tale.

The Rise of Wimbledon FC

Following their introduction to the league in 1977 Wimbledon would bounce between the old Fourth Division and the Third Division for the next five years. Even back then, the club was not afraid of controversy. The club’s then-owner, Ron Noades, had been in talks to relocate it to a new town, none other than Milton Keynes. Noades ultimately exited the club, taking manager Dario Gradi with him in the process to Crystal Palace. As a result, Assistant Manager Dave Bassett was promoted to manager, which proved to be a wise decision. What then followed became one of football’s most dramatic rises. In the 1982/83 season, the Dons won the Fourth Division and were promoted to Division Three as League champions. The success didn’t stop there, as they were promoted again the following season after finishing runners-up, and Wimbledon found themselves in the Second Division.

People predicted a long season, including their own supporters, but they finished a creditable 12th place.

More was in store for “The Wombles”. Wimbledon FC would be playing in Division One in the English league the following season after achieving the incredible feat of promotion to the top division. When you consider that they had only been elected to the football league nine years before, this was an incredible accomplishment. The football was never pretty, but Wimbledon played to their strengths by hitting the ball long and scoring goals with the strength of their strikers. It was now time for the big boys to face the team that many pundits predicted would drop straight back to Division Two.

The Birth Of “The Crazy Gang”

Around this time, the term “crazy gang” was born. The club was given this moniker by the English media due to their antics on and off the field. Off the field, the players were strong-willed. Mainly because they had to deal with so many pranks during training. But it was this that brought the team together. On the field, the team spirit was incredible, with a never-say-die attitude.

The Ghetto blaster would blast garage music from the locker room, driving the opposition insane. It must have been like having a noisy neighbour and being powerless to stop it. There was no way to escape the madness of The Crazy Gang.

Wimbledon may have played route one football, but it worked. The team’s collective strength was enormous. Vinnie Jones, Wally Downes, Alan Cork, Lawrie Sanchez, John Fashanu, Carlton Fairweather, Dennis Wise, Nigel Winterburn, and Dave Beasant are among those who have played a prominent role for the club. They weren’t household names yet, but it wouldn’t be long before they were on everyone’s lips. At the end of their first season in the Premier League, manager Dave Bassett left for Sheffield United, and in came Bobby Gould and assistant manager Don Howe, both of whom proved to be inspired appointments.

Cup Final Success

Their most successful season was 1987/88. The Dons finished seventh in Division 1 and had an FA Cup final against the giants of 1980s English football, Liverpool, to look forward to.

Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool team included players such as John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge, and Bruce Grobbelaar, to name a few. Liverpool was the clear favourite due to their plethora of international talent. But when did Wimbledon pay attention to that?

Bobby Gould had purposefully set the clocks back in the locker room, forcing the Liverpool players to wait in the tunnel. When they decided to leave the dressing room, the tag ‘Crazy Gang’ came to life, and if Liverpool thought this small South-West London team would be overwhelmed by the occasion, they were mistaken. The players came out screaming and screaming like men possessed, which the Reds players had never seen before.

Wimbledon would not go quietly after Vinnie Jones took out Steve McMahon early in the game. Wimbledon then amazingly just before half time took the lead. Dennis Wise’s free-kick was floated into the Liverpool area where Lawrie Sanchez was on hand to flick a header into the far corner past Bruce Grobbelaar. Liverpool piled on the pressure at the start of the second half.

Beasant Creates Cup Final History

Then, 15 minutes into the second half, Liverpool was awarded a penalty. Normal service would presumably resume now. John Aldridge faced up against Wimbledon keeper Dave Beasant. Aldridge began his run up and placed the ball to Beasant’s left. The big goalkeeper guessed correctly and threw out his hand, and for the first time in an FA Cup final, a penalty was saved.

Wimbledon held on until the final whistle when there was complete chaos in the stands. The ‘Crazy Gang’ had done it; they had won the FA Cup against the best team in English football, against all odds.

Following the final whistle, BBC commentator John Motson delivered his famous line.

“The Crazy Gang have beaten the culture club”.

Wimbledon continued to defy the experts by competing with the top teams in Division 1. Finishing in the middle of the table year after year against all the odds.

The Fall Of Wimbledon FC

As the 1997/98 season began, they began to show signs of decline. The club found itself fighting in the Premiership’s lower tiers. Sadly, the 1999/2000 season ended in disaster as they were relegated from the top flight. As the crowds dwindled over time, the unavoidable occurred in 2003. Wimbledon FC went into administration, assets were sold, and the club had little chance of remaining in the league. They finished bottom of the Championship and were renamed Milton Keynes Dons the following season after being brought out of administration.

Wimbledon Football Club had been upsetting the football world for years. They might have taken an unconventional approach to everything they did. However, for a short while, they were a benchmark club for all those with lofty aspirations.

There will never be another club like Wimbledon Football Club – “The Crazy Gang”.