Ex-QPR Jermaine Darlington Talks about his Career

-
Jermaine Darlington -The new Darling Don Nov 17 2006
South London Press/By Gordon Law
JERMAINE Darlington made AFC Wimbledon history - and didn't even know it.
Darlington, 32, became the first person to play a competitive match for both Wi mbledon and AFC Wimbledon after turning out for AFC against Harrow on Saturday.
The former QPR and Watford left-back was released by Cardiff City at the end of last season and is looking forward to playing football again with the South London side.
He admits playing in front of the fans gave him a great buzz and can't wait to work with Dave Anderson after the pair were at Aylesbury seven years ago.
"I knew I was one of the first players to play for both Wimbledons, but not the first," said Darlington.
On the pitch, I didn't really think about it. But after the game, seeing the fans' response, you realise how much it means to them. That gives you a good buzz. Being an ex-Wimbledon player showed they liked me. As a lot of players aren't liked, it makes you feel good inside."
Darlington is fit again after a troublesome groin injury and paid tribute to Anderson for letting him come on board.
"I had a few lower league clubs come in for me but Icouldn't commit to them because of my groin injury," he said.
"Dave offered me to come down to AFC, get treatment on it and offered me a chance of playing again. I had no recurrence from it on Saturday and it was nice to get a good response from the crowd.
"You should keep playing as long as you can because it's only a short career.But your body does tell you when it's had enough and some players don't want to let go.
"Hopefully this is the start of a new beginning for me. If it wasn't for the injury,then Icould have played at a good level for two or three years.
"Coming to AFC works out well because at this stage in my career,I want to go in a different direction. Because I am part-time, I can spent time property developing.
"Playing non-league football in the early days has taught me the value of money.I valued my pro career and want to invest for the future."
The last time Anderson saw Darlington was when he drove out of the Aylesbury car park in a clapped-out Ford Escort.
When he turned up for training at AFC Wimbledon, Darlington arrived in a top-of-the-range motor.
But since being rejected by Alan Curbishley as a youngster at Charlton, Darlington has never forgotten his non-league roots and has appreciated his career as a pro player.
"It was always my dream to make it as a pro but it didn't work out for me at Charlton,"he said.
"I wanted to get back into the pro game and was floating around non-league for a few years.
"I was at Aylesbury with Bob Dowie as manager and Dave his assistant when QPR snapped me up in 1999. I was out of the game for a while and it's hard to bounce back. I didn't think about it too much because I was young at the time. I was fortunate to get back into the pro game and it made me appreciate it more."
QPR gave him that chance and splashed out £25,000 for his services. After two years and 79 appearances with the west London club, Darlington made a £250,000 switch to Wimbledon where he spent three years.
Soon after, Wimbledon made the ill-fated move to Milton Keynes amid mass demonstrations by the supporters. Darlington admits he didn't agree with the decision, but says there was not much he could do about it at the time.
"Wimbledon is the longest club I served at and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there," he said. "I liked to have stayed longer,but couldn't because of various circumstances.
"It's difficult being a pro footballer but it's your team-mates and the fans that make things easy for you. In my first season there, we had a very good side and we were unfortunate not to make the play-offs.
"We played some good football back then. After that, things started to go downhill and the politics started. Being a player on a contract, you have to go with what went on with the Milton Keynes move, even if you don't agree with it. You can't go against the club.
"But it was a shame what happened. In a few years if AFC make it into the league,then it might work out best for them.
And Darlington is confident the Dons can win promotion to the Conference South. He said: "From what I have seen, we have some very good players and I haven't seen any team to match us.Dave has always instilled a good team spirit and once we start putting away our chances,then I see no reason why we can't go up."
Report