Alex Woodyard urges AFC Wimbledon’s youngsters to stay and play every week
Alex Woodyard has urged his fellow AFC Wimbledon team-mates and youngsters to stay at the club to continue their development and help progress the football club.
Woodyard, who was made the club captain by Mark Robinson in February 2020, is one of the more experienced players in the side at 28, with the likes of Jack Rudoni (20), Ayoub Assal (19), Luke McCormick (22) and Anthony Hartigan (21) all core members of the squad.
Woodyard has played every minute in League One this season for the Dons.
Speaking on the potential of the young players around him in the squad, Woodyard told the South London Press: “For most of these young guys, they can be what they want to be if they keep with the application that they’re giving. How often do you get as many young players getting the opportunity to play every week?
“It’s important that they carry on improving in this environment because it doesn’t happen elsewhere. In the majority of teams in League One, maybe one or two youngsters might be playing but, with us, the core of the side is under the age of 23.
“For those boys, they just need to keep improving. Of course, when you’re young, and you’re playing well, you get interest from other clubs, but it’s important they continue to thrive in this environment.
“You know what football is like – sometimes you can make that move, and it doesn’t quite work out. For me, they just need to keep improving because all of them have the potential to go onto a higher level, but why can’t that be with Wimbledon?
“We can keep these young players for a long period of time, and if they’re improving every day, we can take this football club to the next level.
“It’s enjoyable playing with these young players and watching them progress.”
See tomorrow’s South London Press for a full interview with Woodyard.