Dave Bassett

Dave Bassett is the man praised for Wimbledon’s meteoric rise through the Football League, a run that culminated in FA Cup final success in 1988 at Wembley as ‘The Crazy Gang’ defeated Liverpool 1-0. After a playing career that largely revolved around the non-league game, Bassett took charge of Wimbledon in January 1981, and within four months was toasting the Plough Lane outfit’s promotion to the third tier. Elevation to the old Second Division arrived in 1984, and two years later the modest south London club were upsetting the apple cart again in gaining promotion to top level, where they would remain for more than 15 years. That FA Cup success proved to be the pinnacle for Bassett, although he went on to win two promotions at Sheffield United and another at Nottingham Forest. He also managed Watford, Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Leicester City. He has subsequently has consultancy and assistant manager roles at Watford, Southampton, Leeds and Sheffield United.