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20 years ago day... Alan Cork recalls Wimbledon's FA Cup triumph
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| Unlikely hero: Wimbledon legend Alan Cork with the FA Cup |
Twenty years ago today Wimbledon FC recorded one of Britain's biggest ever sporting upsets, beating Liverpool 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley, writes Nick Rennie.
A non-league club just 11 years earlier, although Wimbledon had made their way to the top flight, they were given no chance against a club that had won the European Cup four times during hat period.
One of their unlikeliest heroes was Alan Cork, who is now out of work and living in Rutland.
In the week that Portsmouth and Cardiff City form probably the most romantic FA Cup final pairing since Wimbledon's amazing triumph, Cork recalls that the Dons' preparations for their big day were anything but conventional.
"We had a good drink the night before," he said.
"We were in the bar until they chucked us out at 11.45pm and none of us got much sleep."
Wimbledon showed precious little respect for their opponents, who included Alan Hansen, Peter Beardsley and John Barnes.
Lawrie Sanchez headed in the winner eight minutes before half-time and Liverpool striker John Aldridge had a second-half penalty saved by Dave Beasant.
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| Hod-carrier: Vinnie Jones on his way from labourer to Hollywood star |
"We always used to shout in the tunnel as we went out and on that day Vinne and Fash were screaming," recalled Cork.
"I remember the roar of 98,000 people as we came out. It was a weird feeling, though, because once we kicked off it felt like just another game of football.
"When Sanchez scored the goal I was just inches away from making contact with the ball when Wisey knocked over the free kick.
"It was a great day because my mum and dad were there and Princess Di presented us with the cup.
"It was strange at the end, though, because it was deathly quiet in our changing room. All hell broke out later on when we started celebrating.
"I was only on £400 a week and we never got a bonus for winning the cup."
Cork, now 48, moved to Rutland when he was assistant manager to Mickey Adams at Leicester City.
He is keen to get back into the game, with his 18-year-old son, Jack, a professional with Chelsea, who spent last season on loan at Scunthorpe United.
Alan's own career started in Derby County reserves and he joined Wimbledon with the club in old Division Four in 1977.
A unique team spirit was formed in a team that played physical, direct football involving long balls pumped forward for strapping forwards.
They became known as The Crazy Gang and the top teams hated playing them at their ramshackle Plough Lane ground.
"We used to go out drinking a lot during the week as a team," recalled Cork.
"Our manager Harry Bassett used to say you can go out and do whatever you like as long as you can train in the morning'.
"We were all fit lads, though. We would go off on eight or nine-mile runs, which footballers don't do these days.
"We used to burn each other's clothes and cut them up for a laugh.
"Some of us used to disappear behind the bushes and have a bit of a play fight.
"We would end up with cuts and bruises but it was great for team spirit."
The most celebrated member of The Crazy Gang was probably Vinnie Jones, now a Hollywood film star.
He gave up his job as a builder's labourer to play for Wimbledon.
"When he was a young lad Vinnie couldn't say no to a fight," Cork recalled.
"He often used to come in with black eyes but he had a great career for an average player."
That cup-winning team broke up within 12 months as a succession of players were snapped up by bigger clubs.
Cork almost made it to a second FA Cup final in 1993, scoring in the Wembley semi-final for Sheffield United, but his team lost 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday. His playing career ended at Fulham shortly afterwards.
He moved into management and had stints at Swansea, Brighton, Fulham, Cardiff, Leicester and Coventry, but he will always be remembered for his achievements with The Crazy Gang.
However, he was less than impressed to see his achievements associated with Milton Keynes Dons, following their move away from Merton.
"The BBC did a series on club cult heroes and I was picked as the one for Milton Keynes Dons, which doesn't feel right because I never played for them," he added.
"Every player likes to go back to watch his old club and it is just a shame I can't go back to Wimbledon."
7:19am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Sean, SW19 on 9:05am Wed 14 May 08
Aah but Alan can come back to Wimbledon and watch us in the Conf South next year as many of his teammates have. Corkie wil always be welcome and will see many of those who saw us lift the Cup 20 years ago today in a day I shall never forget
Aah but Alan can come back to Wimbledon and watch us in the Conf South next year as many of his teammates have. Corkie wil always be welcome and will see many of those who saw us lift the Cup 20 years ago today in a day I shall never forget
Posted by: Tony, London on 9:31am Wed 14 May 08
Corkie has already been back to AFC Wimbledon. He played in a charity match and scored a headed blinder from a Robbie Earle cross
Corkie has already been back to AFC Wimbledon. He played in a charity match and scored a headed blinder from a Robbie Earle cross
Posted by: PaulL, Staines on 10:45am Wed 14 May 08
When I was 17 I stood next to Corkie in the Gents at Nelsons before a game. I was so nervous I couldn't even pee.
Talk about hero worship - how sad is that?
Corkie, I'll buy you a pint next time you're down Kingsmeadow.
When I was 17 I stood next to Corkie in the Gents at Nelsons before a game. I was so nervous I couldn't even pee.
Talk about hero worship - how sad is that?
Corkie, I'll buy you a pint next time you're down Kingsmeadow.
Posted by: Dan4EverDons, KT21 on 12:40pm Wed 14 May 08
He's got no hair, but we don't care,
Alan, Alan Cork...
Putting to one side the '88 cup final rhetoric, what about that fantastic hat-trick on his comeback from the broken leg?
Four against Torquay in a 6-1 thumping?
The winner at Anfield in 86 when we'd taken a fearful pounding but held out and he nicked one from a corner?
The winner against Stoke in the promotion push to the old Div 1?
Corkie was a scorer of important goals, an instinctive poacher, and a genius with his head. His record of 145 goals in 15 years with the Dons speaks volumes, and in a time when the phrase 'former Dons legend' is bounded about rather too easily at Kingsmeadow, he is a genuine Don's star.
Corkie - thanks for so many great memories - you will never be forgotten -
He's got no hair, but we don't care,
Alan, Alan Cork...
Putting to one side the '88 cup final rhetoric, what about that fantastic hat-trick on his comeback from the broken leg?
Four against Torquay in a 6-1 thumping?
The winner at Anfield in 86 when we'd taken a fearful pounding but held out and he nicked one from a corner?
The winner against Stoke in the promotion push to the old Div 1?
Corkie was a scorer of important goals, an instinctive poacher, and a genius with his head. His record of 145 goals in 15 years with the Dons speaks volumes, and in a time when the phrase 'former Dons legend' is bounded about rather too easily at Kingsmeadow, he is a genuine Don's star.
Corkie - thanks for so many great memories - you will never be forgotten -
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