A Dons legend made a return to Milton Keynes this week.
Gareth Edds, who made 147 appearances for the Club and is fondly remembered by supporters for the goal he scored on the final day of the 2004/05 to ensure League 1 survival, was back at stadiummk on Tuesday to watch his former team in action.
Edds was presented to the crowd and watched the game from the Directors’ Box alongside chairman Pete Winkelman.
“Walking out and seeing the fans was great,” Edds told REDDOT. “felt like I wanted to put my boots on and I even asked Joe (Aylett, head groundsman) if I could put one in the net again!
“I’ve been desperate to come back because I haven’t been here for a long time. This is a place I’ve got fond memories of, so it was nice to be back at the stadium and get the chance to see everyone.”
Edds was presented to the crowd and watched the game from the Directors’ Box alongside chairman Pete Winkelman.
“Walking out and seeing the fans was great,” Edds told REDDOT. “felt like I wanted to put my boots on and I even asked Joe (Aylett, head groundsman) if I could put one in the net again!
“I’ve been desperate to come back because I haven’t been here for a long time. This is a place I’ve got fond memories of, so it was nice to be back at the stadium and get the chance to see everyone.”
“It will be a great experience for them, learning a new culture, as we learned by going to Barcelona in the summer. Before being a footballer, you are a person and by becoming a better person you, in turn, become a better player.”
“They played the game with us yesterday and the guys did very well. Gareth has a very good team and all the boys are very coachable. I’m sure during their trip they will learn a lot, both tactically and socially.
“I thought it was a very good experience,” Rubio told mkdons.com. “It was a great to see a legend like Gareth Edds and see how much he still loves the club.
Edds’ group went head-to-head with the Dons’ Under-14s on Tuesday before taking part in a Dons training session at the Woughton on the Green dome under the guidance of Edds, head of academy coaching Eduardo Rubio and lead foundation coach Lewis Higgs.
“I’m really appreciative to the Club for allowing us to all this stuff here. It’s been fantastic. I wanted the kids to see what I experienced. They had a look around the stadium and Karl (Robinson) came out to see them. They got to go on the grass too, which they enjoyed.”
“I run my own soccer academy in Australia and I thought I’d bring the boys over let them see what I experienced. We’ll be doing stadium tours, taking part in training and also playing some games. They’ve had a great time so far.
Edds, now residing in Australia, has returned to the UK with members of his soccer school, which he set up after retiring from the game.
