Millwall striker desperate for AFC Wimbledon to turn around League One fortunes

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Tom Elliott is rooting for Neal Ardley to turn around AFC Wimbledon’s League One fortunes.

The Dons manager is under serious pressure after a miserable run has put the South London club right in the thick of a relegation scrap.

Wimbledon head to Haringey Borough in the FA Cup tomorrow night.

Elliott was a leading light for the Dons and his form led to Millwall snapping up the big striker when his contract expired just under 18 months ago.

“I’m always looking out for AFC Wimbledon scores,” he said. “I’ve still got a few good friends there as well.

“I’ve been surprised [by their results] because they have got a good team there.

“Ards was the one who signed me – he sold me the dream. He said: ‘We’re getting promoted – and that season we got promoted’. When I signed I could see the passion in his eyes, his drive.

“He was a great manager for me. He helped me be here in the Championship, he helped me develop. All the staff there did – Simon Bassey, Neil Cox and Alan Reeves. I’d never have a bad word to say about them.

“I hope they can pick up. They’ve got a good enough team to do it.

“I’d probably say AFC was one of the best teams I played in in terms of the chemistry he put together. The season we got promoted, everyone would have died for each other.

“It is disappointing to see them down there but I have got so much faith they will come back out of it and get the boys going. They’ve just got to get one result and it can change their season.”

See tomorrow’s South London Press for more from Elliott on Millwall’s game at Norwich City on Saturday.

IMAGE BY BRIAN TONKS