Prior to the recent break from football, Dean Lewington hit 650 league starts for MK Dons and the evergreen captain hopes there’s many more to come.
Lewington has played 757 games in total for MK Dons since the Club’s inaugural game back in August 2004, and remains as reliable as ever – the left-back has made more appearances than anyone this term, and has played a key role in the recent resurgence under boss Russell Martin.
Speaking to former teammate Dean Bowditch on MKFM earlier this month, Lewington discussed his recent milestone and his plans for the future.
“When you look back, it’s a lot of games and a lot of years,” he said in an interview which can be listened to on the MKFM website.
“I always look at the Ex-Files page in the programme, which brings back memories of a player or a team that I hadn’t necessary thought about for a while. That’s what those games represent – different points in my life and players and teams that I’ve come across.
“I just love playing football and I’ve been able to do that pretty much every Saturday for the best part of 16 years. Touch wood, injuries have always been very kind to me and I’ve never really had anything that’s kept me out for a serious amount of time.
“I’ve always looked forward to pre-seasons and looking forward to coming into training on Monday. Over the last few years, I’ve had managers who have offered me days off here and there because of my age but I just want to come in and work.”
He added: “Who knows [what will happen in the future]. I’m taking things as they come and I don’t have any targets. Definitely not another 750 games, though!
“I just want to be judged like everyone else – am I good enough, regardless of age? If the answer is yes, then I’d like to keep on going.
“I feel great, I feel good, physically. My physical stats are just as good as they’ve always been. As long as I’ve got something to offer and they want to offer it to me, I’m happy to keep going.”
During his 16 seasons with MK Dons, Lewington has shared a dressing room with over 240 players – but who, would he say, is the best?
“It would be close between Dele Alli and Keith Andrews,” Lewington said.
“Dele was naturally phenomenal in terms of talent and he was everything we’ve seen him do since.
“Keith was a really good player too, and a much better player than what he’s gotten credit for. In the two years that he was here, he scored a ton of goals from midfield and he went on to have a really good career.
“He was also the biggest driver of standards and a real force of nature that I’ve ever had. We used to nickname him Gerry Adams because he was always so angry! He just wouldn’t accept any excuses or a lack of anything. He was a main catalyst behind things going in the right direction for this Club.”
He added: “I’d say Dele just pips him on natural ability and flair but Keith is a very close second.”
