Jolley aiming to keep Dons place (From Your Local Guardian)

Jolley aiming to keep Dons place

2:35pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

Christian Jolley admits he will do whatever it takes to keep his place in AFC Wimbledon’s starting line-up after making a lightning start to his career with the Dons.

The former Kingstonian star already has one goal to his credit this season, and played the full 90 minutes in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Kettering Town.

And Jolley reveals he has no plans to ease up.

He said: “I did not expect to be playing so much, but injuries and illness have given me a chance and I have grabbed it.

“It is unbelievable to be playing at this level so fast, but I aim to make the most of it.

“It has been a shock for me - to go from Ryman Premier to Blue Square Premier is quite a jump.

“I am still floating on air a little bit and it still feels surreal.

“The main difference I have noticed is that for the guys here, this is their job.

“Obviously I have been used to part-time football, but now you get so much time to focus on aspects of your game and I am improving week by week.”

Sam Hatton and Danny Kedwell got the goals as the Dons made it five wins from seven at Kettering.

And Jolley says the size of the crowds is still taking some getting used to.

He added: “Everyone at this level has a massive passion for football, from the players through to the fans.

“The big thing you notice at this level is the following that the away sides have, and it creates a totally different atmosphere.

“That is especially the case with Wimbledon, and it makes a massive difference when you are talking about thousands instead of hundreds.”

The forward did not have to worry too much about packing his bags in the summer, as the switch from Kingstonian to the Dons simply meant Jolley stayed at Kingsmeadow.

And he admits to retaining a soft spot for his former side.

Jolley added: “Of course I keep an eye on Kingstonian and I have a lot of friends there that I am still in touch with.

“I was going to go to the game against Croydon at the weekend but obviously that has been called off.

“Using the same facilities has made the switch very easy and I still bump into some of the players.

“There are a few of the AFC lads that have an interest in Ks and when we come off the pitch somebody is always telling me how they got on.”