Adebayo Akinfenwa is determined to give AFC Wimbledon’s film script a Hollywood ending by leading them into League One at Wembley.
The Dons moved a step closer to a sixth promotion in their 14-year existence on Saturday night when they beat Accrington Stanley 1-0 in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.
It was announced last month that best-selling author and supporter John Green is to make a film about the club’s incredible rise and Akinfenwa, usually known as ‘The Beast,’ can expect a starring role.
Coming off the bench with half an hour remaining on Saturday, he unsettled the Accrington defence and rattled the post before Tom Beere grabbed a stoppage-time winner to give them the edge going up to Lancashire on Wednesday.
Akinfenwa said: ‘It’s a beautiful story. It’s like a film – I hear they are doing a film. Sometimes you can’t write this stuff.
‘We are proud of what we have done this season, but we have only done half the job. We will enjoy this but it is only half-time – we’ve got to finish it on Wednesday.’
The 34-year-old striker is running out of opportunities for glory in what has been a journeyman career, which explains why he compares Wimbledon’s underdog tale to Leicester’s Premier League feats.
‘It will mean everything to get back to Wembley,’ he said. ‘I think this is a unique club and to get back to Wembley would be such a validation.
‘Leicester won the Premier League, it’s been such a unique season, so let’s dare to dream. We are dreaming at the moment, so hopefully we can go that one step further.
‘We don’t just want to get to Wembley, we want to go all the way. That’s what we have got, a beautiful team spirit.’
Wimbledon surprised many by getting into the play-offs and their progress has raised the intriguing possibility they will be facing arch-rivals MK Dons in League One next season.
It goes back to the relocation of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes in 2002, causing the large majority of the south London fanbase to form their own club.
Their rise through the divisions has been stunning, leading to the prospect of first league meetings with MK next season.
Akinfenwa added: ‘It’s a bit further down the road but even the prospect of that is something.
‘I have realised not only how much in their heart but in their soul our fans dislike MK. Playing in the same league is the stuff of dreams, but we have a few hurdles to go before that.’
