Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang': Vinnie Jones & the Dons' Punk Rock Players of the '80s & '90s

· GiveMeSport

The story behind English football's notorious 'Crazy Gang', led by the likes of Vinnie Jones and John Fashanu, who shocked 'Culture Club' Liverpool

For a time, English football possessed one of the most riotous and brazen teams in the world: Wimbledon 's notorious 'Crazy Gang'.

Anti-establishment, unrelenting and terrifying, Wimbledon arrived from nowhere and became a team that nobody wanted to face and, at their peak, they managed to pull off one of the greatest upsets we've seen.

Here's the story of the rock 'n' roll outfit who left an indelible mark on English football culture — and one that is likely never to be repeated ever again.

The team's nickname was borrowed from a troupe of British music-hall comedians popular in the 1930s, but it became synonymous with the team for obvious reasons. Whether it was the practical jokes, intimidating nature or disregard for football's unwritten etiquette, they fully embodied the 'Crazy Gang' narrative.

However, their football achievements must be noted. Under Dave Bassett, the club rose from the Fourth Division to the FIrst in just four seasons, maintaining their unrelenting and intimidating style throughout the rise, which brought great success.

Away from football, the practical jokes became folklore. With stories emerging that included shoes being nailed to the floor, clothes burned and initiations that included being dragged across a snow-covered pitch, being tied to a roof of a car and driven down the A3 — even Dennis Wise had Ralgex (a topical pain relief) put in his pants on his first day.

All of this helped to create a siege mentality and sent a message to opposing teams who knew they were facing legitimately wild individuals, which the players revelled in, enjoying the misfits tag.

The absolute pinnacle of their time together came on May 14, 1988. Otherwise, known as the 1988 FA Cup final against Liverpool . The Reds featured living legends in the form of John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and Alan Hansen and were chasing their second double in three years — Wimbledon were rank outsiders given little hope.

What they did have was their desire and unwavering team attitude, which unsettled their opponents even before kick-off as Hansen later recalled the menacing noise coming from their end of the tunnel.

The only goal of the game came from Lawrie Sanchez, who glanced in a Wise free-kick, but goalkeeper Dave Beasant became the hero, later saving a penalty from John Aldridge. Beasant also made history in becoming the first keeper to save a penalty in a Wembley FA Cup final, and the first to lift the trophy as a winning captain.

As the final whistle sounded on a sunny afternoon in the capital, legendary BBC commentator John Motson delivered a line that has forever immortalised that day: "The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club."

In a single phrase, Motson had framed the contest as the ragtag south London misfits who managed an incredible upset against Liverpool's cultured and star-studded institution. The line now sits alongside other iconic phrases, such as "they think it's all over" which sits in the pantheon of British football commentary.

When Motson passed in 2023, it featured prominently among the highlights of his 50-year career, and rightly so given how incredible a victory it was.

The Wimbledon team was a true collection of vivid characters that wouldn't be out of place in a fictional story. Some are more famous than others, mainly due to their exploits post-Wimbledon.

Take the most famous of them all, Vinnie Jones. The midfield enforcer who gave us one of the all-time great football images when he grabbed Paul Gascoigne 's crown jewels. He was the ultimate football hard man. Later, he enjoyed spells at Leeds United and Chelsea before venturing into Hollywood, where he became a true household name.

Wise went onto enjoy a strong career at Chelsea and, with England, striker John Fashanu totaled 100+ goals for the club before moving to Aston Villa and Beasant moved to both Newcastle United and Chelsea.

- Vinnie Jones - Midfield Enforcer - Leeds, Chelsea; later Hollywood actor - John Fashanu - Striker / 'leader' - Aston Villa; 100+ Dons goals - Dennis Wise - Midfielder - Chelsea, England - Dave Beasant - Goalkeeper/captain - Newcastle, Chelsea - Lawrie Sanchez - Midfielder - Scored the 1988 winner - Terry Phelan - Full-back - Manchester City - Wally Downes - Midfielder - Original prankster-in-chief - Alan Cork - Striker - Long-serving forward

Managed first by Bassett, then Bobby Gould, and later Joe Kinnear, the Dons never won another major honour. As time passed, Plough Lane could not sustain itself as a top-flight club, and years after the fairytale success, it all unraveled. Yet, for one sunny, bright afternoon at Wembley, the punks beat football royalty — and football will never forget.

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