A few weeks ago I wrote about Alan Bennett’s departure. I didn’t take it well.

Since then AFC Wimbledon have lost two more veterans— David Connolly (one of only a few who played for both incarnations of Wimbledon) and Andy Frampton, one of the veritable heroes of the Neal Ardley era.

Unsurprisingly, I am also not taking this well.

That said, Connolly’s story is enviable in a very Hollywood sort of way.

He spent a successful two seasons at Wimbledon FC (playing alongside Ardley, his future gaffer), had a long and successful career in English football, and ended up at reborn Wimbledon to finish.

His late gamewinner at home to Luton ended up being the last great moment of his career. If it were me, I’d probably want to hang it up after scoring that goal too.

Your Local Guardian:

Retired: David Connolly

Not many players get to end on that kind of high note.

And speaking of high notes, Frampton got to retire with his hometown club.

He was only here for two seasons, but during his time he was an absolute rock for the team, both on the back line and in the dressing room.

At a moment where the club is undergoing a lot of change and facing new challenges, Frampton was a dependable, stabilising presence.

That his one real regret was not being able to fight through injury and stay on a little while longer speaks to his commitment and love of the club that became, at the last, his home.

No one stays with a club forever. No matter how important or how dependable they are, everyone you love that plays for your team will eventually leave.

Knowing this requires some degree of resilience.

But knowing how and when to say goodbye, and actually doing it, are two different things.