From non-league obscurity to conquering the kings of English football — the story of Wimbledon FC from 1984 to 1988 is one of the greatest, wildest, and most unbelievable rises in football history.

In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, Graham and Jamie are joined by London football expert Stuart Burgess to deep-dive into the era that turned a ragtag group of misfits into FA Cup legends. Together, they revisit the extraordinary ascent of Wimbledon FC, a club whose direct football, intimidating culture, and unshakeable belief helped them smash through the English football pyramid and shock the world.

We explore the characters who defined the Crazy Gang — Vinnie Jones, John Fashanu, Lawrie Sanchez, Dennis Wise, Dave Beasant — and the leadership of Dave Bassett, whose tactical clarity and uncompromising philosophy forged one of the most iconic identities in British football. Stuart brings rich insight into Wimbledon’s South London roots, the personalities behind the rise, and the cultural chaos that made this team impossible to ignore.

And of course, we relive the unforgettable 1988 FA Cup Final: Lawrie Sanchez’s header, Beasant’s historic penalty save, and the day Wimbledon toppled the mighty Liverpool to write one of the greatest underdog chapters the Cup has ever seen.

Along the way, we unpack:

• How a tiny club stormed the First Division in record time
• Why the Crazy Gang’s mentality became their greatest weapon
• The behind-the-scenes influence of Ron Noades and Sam Hammam
• Don Howe’s tactical fingerprints on the Cup Final
• The long-term legacy of Wimbledon — and the birth of AFC Wimbledon

Where does Wimbledon 1984–88 rank among the greatest teams of all time?
We debate it, defend it, and place this unforgettable side into the Greatness Index.

🎧 Listen now for one of football’s most extraordinary stories — brutal, brilliant, chaotic, and completely unrepeatable.

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