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Last week, Alan Dudman wrote BetFair’s betting review of League 1. In his comments he wrote the following regarding Saturday’s game between Franchise FC and Leicester City: 

“With a crowd expected of nearly 19,000 on Saturday, it is a far cry from gates of 2,000 at Selhurst Park. Congratulations to chairman Pete Winkleman and his long term vision for the club (or new franchise), which was widely criticised at the time, but now 100 per cent justified.”

The article saw a flood of sarcastic and irate comments, mainly from AFC Wimbledon supporters calling the reporter to see the mistakes of his ways. He has now posted the following response on the same page:

“Firstly I would like to say thank you for all the comments above posted, and hopefully you will accept my apology regarding the said article.

I am not one to patronise clubs outside the top flight, nor one to patronise fans, if it seemed that way then I am sorry. I can fully understand why some of the words written would have caused anger and outrage.

Firstly the comment about remembering gates of 2000 at Selhurst, let’s deal with that. I take on board what Charlie has said regarding the average dipping after the intention to move was announced, as well as the point made by W Giemes, so thank you. To respond to that, I did actually cover Wimbledon for two seasons or so, and remember many a game when the ground was sparse, in fact the comment is based on an old League Cup game against Wigan, and I recall a crowd of less than 2,000. Ok, this is wholly inaccurate and unfair to base two seasons of attendances on such a small sample size, so for that I apologise, and hopefully the apology would be accepted.

Also I hope the fans of AFC Wimbledon will accept my apology concerning the use of ’100 per cent justified’. I take on board everything that has been said there. This comment was based on me seeing a young exciting team, a very exciting new manager playing football the correct way, a flourishing Acedemy and a new stadium. I realise the MK Dons football club is a seperate entity to Wimbledon FC and AFC Wimbledon, and not for one moment am I in the camp of ripping the heart and soul out of a club. I should not have used 100 per cent justified, as what is justified to some will certainly not be to others. Some friends of mine have actually played at AFC Wimbledon and raved about the atmosphere there, so perhaps I should come down to see for myself what is happening there, although I fully understand if I wasn’t welcome.

I actually have fond memories of Wimbledon FC. As I said before, I covered them when I worked for clubcall and the club could not have been more helpful. They had a terrific group of young players under Terry Burton and used to really enjoy watching games there. I also have fond memories of the club as a kid. My uncle did actually play for the club in the non-league days with Dickie Guy and remember the good times when my Dad used to take me to the old Plough Lane.

As for a comment made by David G about me knowing little or nothing about football. Well it is not about knowing or not knowing but all about opinion, and that is why football is so important as we can all spend four or five hours in a pub talking about it. I love my football, I played to a reasonably high level which was ended due to injury, I covered many games from the Premiership to the old Ryman League and will watch any game from the top flight to one of my local non league sides. I admit some of the comments were not at all positive about the old Wimbledon, nor indeed the relatively new AFC. Again I can only apologise, I am not one to cause offence but I can see why I have.

I think everyone can be guilty of lack of empathy with clubs and fans, I certainly have been here. I know words can be said flippantly in responses such as these, but I genuinely apologise for such a negative article towards your club. I am a football lover as I hope you all are, I am neither offensive nor confrontational so I hope the apology can be accepted and I thank you for the comments posted.

Alan Dudman

 

Alan Dudman | 02 March 2009″

Okay, the headline is shit, but I wasn’t feeling clever…

Dons fan and author (like the two statements are ever relevant! Dons fan and keen twitcher, etc,) Andy Brassell gets the interview treatment on EPL talk. yes, the Premier League is known in ESPN speak as the EPL. get used to it..

“Well, I don’t exactly wish MK Dons well, that’s for sure. And of course I felt a great sense of loss when the move became concrete with the FA appeal decision, shamelessly buried in the midst of England’s 2002 World Cup campaign by the spineless people who allowed the decision to pass contrary to their own laws.”

 http://www.epltalk.com/interview-andy-brassell/4625

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