Johnnie Jackson explains how AFC Wimbledon landed Joe Lewis on a permanent deal from Stockport

Johnnie Jackson has admitted Joe Lewis was set to be recalled by Stockport before AFC Wimbledon tabled a bid for the centre-back.

Lewis was originally on a season-long loan from Stockport and looked primed for his stint at Plough Lane to be cut short early due to the injury crisis at the back for Dave Challinor’s side.

He formed a partnership at the back with Ryan Johnson and was a key part of Wimbledon’s early season success.

The Dons splashed out a six-figure sum to land the 24-year-old on a long-term contract from the League Two table-toppers.

Fellow Stockport loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was recalled.

“It looked like he was going to be recalled along with Conor,” Jackson told the South London Press.

“But he was really enjoying his football here and playing – it was something he wanted to continue.

“When we broached the idea to Stockport of signing him, they were open to it.

“It made sense for us – we didn’t want to lose Joe. We didn’t want to lose Conor either, but Joe has built such a good centre-back partnership with Johno [Ryan Johnson] and was a big part of what we were doing.

“His age and experience is still a valuable asset for us as a club to turn him into our own player.

“It was worth exploring that.

“The lad was desperate to stay and Stockport were open to it. We managed to get a deal done in the end.”

The Dons were around the play-off places heading into the January transfer window last season when loanees Paris Maghoma, Ryley Towler and Nathan Young-Coombes were all recalled by their parent clubs.

Ayoub Assal was also sold to Qatari side Al-Wakrah for a club-record fee of the phoenix era.

“It all felt like it happened all at once like it did last year,” admitted Jackson.

“Ali and Omar went away and then a couple of days later, I got a phone call to say that Joe and Conor might both be going back. 

“You’re thinking: ‘Wow, that’s four of your starters there, who have been playing regularly, gone overnight.’

“It was exactly what happened last year. To get the Joe one done softened the blow of losing Conor.

“We love Conor and wish he could have stayed with us, but it wasn’t to be and that’s the problem when you’re loaning. There isn’t any way around it. All clubs are going to protect their interest.

“People ask: ‘Is there not a way of structuring the deal [differently]’, but you’re not going to get the players then. Parent clubs will send them somewhere so they’re protected.

“That is the problem with doing the loans, but a club like us has to rely on them. There isn’t any way around it – it’s just a frustrating situation. 

“You just hope you can keep the players for the season as we have with Alex Bass and now making Joe permanent.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD