Post by QPR Report on Dec 29, 2009 19:43:13 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/afc_wimbledon/8434217.stm?
Legendary former Wimbledon boss Batsford dies aged 77
Batsford was in charge of the club's remarkable rise during the 1970s
Allen Batsford, the manager who led Wimbledon from non-league to the Football League in the 1970s, has died at the age of 77.
Batsford took over at Wimbledon in 1974 and led them to three straight Southern League titles and election to the League in 1977, replacing Workington.
Under his guidance Wimbledon also had a remarkable FA Cup run in 1974-75.
In round three they won at Division One side Burnley, and in round four took reigning champions Leeds to a replay.
Batsford resigned as Wimbledon manager midway through their first season in the old Division Four, being succeeded by Dario Gradi, and after that he went on to be youth team coach at Millwall.
606: DEBATE
His achievements and those of his players became the stuff of legend
Trebor_75
After the demise of Wimbledon FC and the club's relocation to Milton Keynes, Batsford continued to have strong links with the newly-formed AFC Wimbledon.
He was introduced to the crowd on the pitch before their recent FA Cup tie against Millwall at Kingsmeadow in November.
"What he did with us was incredible," former Wimbledon goalkeeper Dickie Guy, who saved a penalty against Leeds' Peter Lorimer in that memorable cup run, told the Croydon Guardian.
"As soon as he came to the club he changed everything and made it a lot more professional.
"He was very thorough and single-minded and knew what he wanted to do.
"He organised us so well and was so focused he got that across to the players.
"I was always one that liked to mess about a little bit but I had a great deal of respect for him and he got us working hard and gave us belief in ourselves.
"We have got a great history in the cup and that's all down to Allen.
"He was a nice man, a great friend and a good manager."
Legendary former Wimbledon boss Batsford dies aged 77
Batsford was in charge of the club's remarkable rise during the 1970s
Allen Batsford, the manager who led Wimbledon from non-league to the Football League in the 1970s, has died at the age of 77.
Batsford took over at Wimbledon in 1974 and led them to three straight Southern League titles and election to the League in 1977, replacing Workington.
Under his guidance Wimbledon also had a remarkable FA Cup run in 1974-75.
In round three they won at Division One side Burnley, and in round four took reigning champions Leeds to a replay.
Batsford resigned as Wimbledon manager midway through their first season in the old Division Four, being succeeded by Dario Gradi, and after that he went on to be youth team coach at Millwall.
606: DEBATE
His achievements and those of his players became the stuff of legend
Trebor_75
After the demise of Wimbledon FC and the club's relocation to Milton Keynes, Batsford continued to have strong links with the newly-formed AFC Wimbledon.
He was introduced to the crowd on the pitch before their recent FA Cup tie against Millwall at Kingsmeadow in November.
"What he did with us was incredible," former Wimbledon goalkeeper Dickie Guy, who saved a penalty against Leeds' Peter Lorimer in that memorable cup run, told the Croydon Guardian.
"As soon as he came to the club he changed everything and made it a lot more professional.
"He was very thorough and single-minded and knew what he wanted to do.
"He organised us so well and was so focused he got that across to the players.
"I was always one that liked to mess about a little bit but I had a great deal of respect for him and he got us working hard and gave us belief in ourselves.
"We have got a great history in the cup and that's all down to Allen.
"He was a nice man, a great friend and a good manager."
