By Georgia Garnett
GARY Elkins believes there will never be another ‘Crazy Gang’ to match Wimbledon in the Premier League.
Elkins spent six years in South West London from 1990 to 1996 when Wimbledon were in the top flight.
In his time at Plough Lane and then Selhurst Park – when the Dons ground-shared with Crystal Palace – Elkins made 110 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
He also spent time at Fulham, Exeter City, Swindon Town and AFC Wallingford in his playing career.
Elkins enjoyed a return to the ‘new’ Plough Lane recently, as he spent the day in hospitality talking to fans and board members at the Dons’ League Two game against Walsall.
“They’re very passionate fans, full of pride, considering that they built the side from the Combined Counties League years ago to where they are now,” Elkins told South London.
“They used to sing a song with my name years ago and I think quite a few people remembered that, so joining them it’s nice to reflect back on that. It made it a really nice experience.”
Elkins described his most memorable moment with Wimbledon as his debut match against Chelsea in 1990.
Dennis Wise had just moved from Wimbledon to Chelsea for a then-club record fee of £1.6 million for the Blues, while Elkins arrived from the Cottagers for a nominal fee of £25,000.
The Dons defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home, and Elkins got man of the match after marking Wise.
“The press picked up on it and said it made a mockery of the transfer system with Wise costing what he did compared to what I cost,” Elkins said. “I think subsequently I ended up getting a big contact – and I got a mention in Dennis’ autobiography.”
Wimbledon revelled in their upstart reputation.
“I think everything really, the whole aspect of the Crazy Gang, being in the Premier League and going to all the top sides like United, Arsenal and Liverpool,” he said.
“I think being the underdog and not expected to do well and the sort of team spirit that we had then on and off the pitch, it was really good to be part of it.
“We have a great camaraderie and team spirit that still exists today – we still meet up every Christmas, all the boys from back in the era and go for a beer or two.”
Elkins now works as a PE instructor in the prison service.
Unsure of what to do post-football, he played some charity games at a nearby prison and the job came about from there.
Elkins also founded SaveYu, a training provider that delivers first aid and mental health courses to children and adults.
Both he and his partner Gemma had experienced issues of choking with their children, which was “quite a scary thing to see and happen”.
He added: “We just wanted to go out and teach people to try and save a life, so we ended up setting up SaveYu.”
Elkins remembers his time at Wimbledon fondly.
He said: “Football is different nowadays in terms of the people involved, the people behind the scenes, that type of thing.
“I think Wimbledon was a very unique experience in the Premier League that I don’t think will ever be replicated.
“I think in the time that I was there, I don’t think we finished outside the top ten and we were the real underdogs, completely different to what it would be today.
“My time back then was really enjoyable – the best time for me in terms of football.”
