A Brief Tribute To A Dependable Utility Man

Jake Leberl has left AFC Wimbledon.

He may have only been on the playing strength for a couple of seasons, but the very fact that he is a Wimbledon fan by inclination, makes him deserving of his own headline notarising his departure.

It seems a liitle strange for someone to talk of retiring at the tender age of 32, but if you can't go full time and you have parental responsibilities pending, what would be your motivation for playing anywhere below Blue Square level, having gotten used to performing in front of 4000 strong crowds?

Of all the potential lower league suitors for his signature, probably only a return to Dover could get anywhere near giving Jake the same sort of buzz he has been experiencing since signing from Dagenham in 2007.

Starting off at that notable football talent factory, Crewe Alexandra, Jake also enjoyed two years with Margate but arguably his finest hour was with Dagenham and Redbridge where he was a contributory factor in their Conference Title win.

The outrageous highs and lows of football were in evidence once again this week when he was deemed surplus to requirements at Kingsmeadow.It's a shame for Jake that he didn't fit into Terry Brown's demographic.

He attained a reasonable level of popularity amongst the Dons diehards, notwithstanding one match losing performance away at Worcester last season. Seemingly comfortable in defence or midfield, he might have been a decent squad player for some time to come, had we not gone and got promoted again.

If ever they install a Hall Of Fame at Kingsmeadow, Jake should surely command an entry. How many fans can say they have actually played for the club they support? On a future slow news day, perhaps we will pay further tribute by reviewing each of the five goals scored by Jake whilst sporting the yellow and blue!