Kenny: 'Dons would have destroyed me'

13 April 2012

Kenny Cunnigham said today it would have been "soul-destroying" to have stayed at Wimbledon and claims the majority of Dons players supported the formation of rival club AFC Wimbledon.

The 31-year-old, preparing for his Premiership debut with Birmingham at Arsenal on Sunday, told Standard Sport: "I'm looking forward to playing in front of 30,000 crowds every week.

"People say professional pride should be enough, but the honest truth is the crowd makes a difference. We never had the crowd giving us a lift at Selhurst Park.

"It was a difficult place to play. The prospect for the Wimbledon lads playing there this season is soul-destroying. It's clear the vast majority of fans will support the new team."

Supporters boycotted last week's opener against Gillingham and only 15 made the trip on Tuesday to the match at Grimsby.

Republic of Ireland World Cup defender Cunningham, who played 300 games in eight years with the Dons, added: "The idea of AFC Wimbledon is taking the club back to its roots.

"I think that there are a lot of Wimbledon players who would sympathise with that.

"The sooner the Dons can get up to Milton Keynes the better. It looks black and white to me now.

"It's clear what will happen - the Wimbledon fans will support the new team so the best thing is if the relocation happens fast.

"AFC Wimbledon will try to reestablish themselves as a force and I wish them luck."

Wimbledon manager Stuart Murdoch said: "I was pleased with a point at Grimsby and we will go to Watford tomorrow with a bit more confidence. We are up and running now."

Meanwhile, former Wimbledon manager Terry Burton will be named as Watford's new first team coach on Monday.

Watford manager Ray Lewington approached Burton earlier in the summer, but the former Arsenal coach, although eager to join the management team, had just undergone a hip operation.

Burton has since been recuperating, but is now fit enough to begin his duties as first team coach.

Lewington said: "I'm delighted Terry is ready. He has the reputation of being one of the best coaches around and I will value his opinion."

WATFORD - Next three games:

Wimbledon (H); 24 Aug, Portsmouth (A); 26 Aug, Coventry (H) Last two games: L2-0, D0-0 WIMBLEDON - Next three games: Watford (A); 24 Aug, Brighton (H); 28 Aug, Nottm Forest (A) Last two games: L1-0, D0-0 Last season's corresponding fixtures: Wimbledon 3-0 Watford Watford 0-0 Wimbledon

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