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Quickly Kevin; will he score? The 90s Football Show
Quickly Kevin; will he score? The 90s Football Show

Dave Beasant Part 2 (QK Reloaded)

April 28, 2026 • 59m

Summary

⏱️ 12 min read

Overview

Former Wimbledon and England goalkeeper Dave Besant shares fascinating stories from his career, including the legendary 1988 FA Cup final victory over Liverpool, life with the Crazy Gang, and his journey through English football. The conversation covers everything from pre-match pints to Princess Diana, penalty saves to salad cream injuries, offering an intimate look at football's most colourful era.

The Crazy Gang Culture

Dave describes the unique culture of Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang', including brutal initiation rituals, constant practical jokes, and an atmosphere that bonded the team unlike any other. The approach was unconventional but created a team spirit that helped them punch above their weight. He explains how this culture worked in that era but couldn't exist in modern football.

  • New players had to get in a wicker skip (rubbish bin) and were thrown around while senior players urinated on them
  • The team's unconventional methods and team spirit helped them succeed despite limited resources
  • After winning the cup final, other clubs started picking apart Wimbledon's team, wanting 'a bit of that' in their dressing rooms
  • Every club Dave joined afterwards had at least one player who would have fitted perfectly at Wimbledon

The Night Before the FA Cup Final

In a move that perfectly encapsulates Wimbledon's unconventional approach, manager Bobby Gould took the entire squad to a pub on Wimbledon Common the night before the 1988 FA Cup final. This pub had historical significance as Wimbledon's former dressing room from their non-league days. The team walked in to find it packed with their own fans, creating an unforgettable atmosphere that helped calm nerves rather than build them.

  • Bobby Gould asked the players what they normally do the night before a game, and they said 'have a pint'
  • The whole squad went to a pub on Wimbledon Common that turned out to be Wimbledon's old dressing room from when they played non-league football
  • Walking into the pub full of Wimbledon fans was 'like walking into the OK Corral'
  • Being together in a different environment stopped players from overthinking and using negative energy
" It was like walking into the OK Corral because as the doors are open there's all these well I said there's quite a lot of Wimbledon fans singing and having a few beers and we walk in that was just like "

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