When Dave Went Up
The Inside Story of Wimbledon's 1988 FA Cup Win
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Pitch Publishing Ltd
Published:22nd May '23
£19.99
Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.
When Dave Went Up is the fairy-tale story of Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup win over Liverpool, and how a small team overcame the giants of English football. More than just a recollection of the final itself, the book takes us through the tournament round by round, from the third round to the semi-final, and everything in between. We all know that Lawrie Sanchez got the winning goal, but did you know he was in the wrong place for the free kick? The story shows what great team spirit and sheer hard work can achieve. With tales from the key players in the side, the staff, the fans, plus some of the opposition, this is the definitive account of how Wimbledon FC won the FA Cup. Along the way you'll discover how the Dons fell in love with the competition, with background info on their run in the 1974/75 season, when Dickie Guy become a household name overnight after saving a penalty against Leeds United. If you don't know about the Dons' connection with the famous old cup, you certainly will after reading this fascinating book.
"Gary Jordan has put together another excellent football book… Jordan, who edits the Wimbledon matchday programme, has done it again! Rating: 9/10."
-- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"When Dave Went Up looks not just at the final but the whole cup run which saw The Dons make it to Wembley thanks to wins over West Bromwich Albion, Mansfield Town, Newcastle United, Watford and Luton Town, a run where they found the net 13 times. The book also looks back on Wimbledon’s history in the world’s oldest cup competition with focus on the famous 1974/75 run by the then-Southern League team who succumbed by a solitary goal in a fourth round replay against the mighty Leeds United. When Dave Went Up is a must for any Wimbledon fan, a group who have seen their side suffer any number of problems since those heady days, and also for anyone who loves a good underdog story (and who doesn’t?)."
* Read the League *"One of the book's strengths is its ability to transport readers to the vibrant atmosphere of the matches. The author's detailed descriptions of key moments, heart-stopping goals, and the electrifying atmosphere of Wembley Stadium during the final make the readers feel as if they are right there, witnessing history unfold before their eyes... When Dave Went Up is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of Wimbledon and their remarkable FA Cup triumph. It showcases the power of determination, and the enduring belief in one's abilities. Even if readers are not familiar with the team or the era, the book's universal themes and the sheer excitement of the story will captivate and inspire them."
* The Football Library *"It's a book that has been lovingly put together and the end result is something that Dons fans, and neutrals too, can really enjoy… What I particularly enjoyed were the stories of some of the key players in that Dons side – Beasant, Sanchez, Clive Goodyear and Terry Gibson. There are plenty of anecdotes and tales that will raise a smile. Rating: 9 out of 10."
-- John Lyons * Late TackISBN: 9781801504430
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
320 pages