INTERVIEW
AROUND THE GROUNDS
DEAN LEWINGTON
The Crazy Gang’s last man standing on his remarkable longevity, MK retirement and the split that shook football
Interview Dean Jones
• EFL
• NON-LEAGUE
• SCOTLAND
You recently retired aged 40 after playing over 900 games. Why now?
I’d been thinking about it for close to two years and had become quite comfortable with calling it a day. But as soon as I actually announced it, I kind of immediately regretted it! You start questioning, should I do it or not? I know it’s the right call now, but it’s just the unknown and not doing something you love anymore. I’m going to miss playing. There’s a slight sadness to it, definitely.
You made your debut for Wimbledon in April 2003, at 18, against Sheffield Wednesday. How did you prepare?
I just remember how different it all felt. You go from playing reserve football in front of about 50 people to walking out into an atmosphere with cameras and interviews — the level jumps massively. My first start was against Bradford and after about 10 minutes, I was thinking, ‘I can’t play in this — it’s too quick’, and you can’t catch your breath. But, like anything, you get through it, you adapt.