I Won't Cheer Goal

Last updated : 15 December 2006 By Stray Shots Team

The striker returns to the Recreation Ground with AFC Wimbledon on Saturday for an FA Trophy first round clash.

D'Sane, 26, joined Aldershot from Woking in 2002 after a brief spell at Southend and fired them to the Ryman Premier Division title.

He scored 27 goals in 57 appearances over a four-year period to help establish them in the Conference.

But D'Sane's career suffered a setback when he was was hit by a knee injury and was released last year after failing to recover.

The former Crystal Palace trainee has good memories from his time with the Shots and cannot wait to be reunited with their fans.

He scored for the Dons in a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat against them in August and insists he won't rub it in if he finds the net again.

"I hope to get a good reception on Saturday from the fans," said D'Sane. "They were fine with me in the pre-season match, but an FA Trophy tie is more important, so who knows?

"Everyone at AFC Wimbledon is looking forward to this game as it's the biggest cup competition in non-league.

"If I scored the winning goal, I wouldn't celebrate because the fans were so good to me and I respect that.

"I was there for four years and have lots of fond memories.We had a great team at the time and got into the Conference play-off final in my second season.

"I made a lot of friends and the supporters were great. It's similar to AFC Wimbledon where the fans are passionate and the club has a big profile in the media."

D'Sane also had the honour of captaining the England non-league side and scored eight goals in 14 internationals.

"I got in the England non-league team when Aldershot were in the old Ryman Premier Division," said D'Sane, who by day works with foster kids.

"That was a real honour for me. I got eight goals in 14 and it was brilliant to play games in Europe."

But things started to go badly when D'Sane began to get aches in his knee and he was later diagnosed with tendonitis.

After more than a year out, Aldershot manager Terry Brown let the striker go last year due to doubts about his fitness.

D'Sane said: "I was getting aches and pains in my knee and thought nothing of it. But they got worse and had an operation. It took me 18 months to get over it.

"When I left Aldershot I became fed up with football. Iwas down and had to take a break to get my head round it all.

"I thought I'd try out part-time football and went along to Wealdstone and Lewes until the end of last season.

"A few clubs were interested in me but Dave Anderson gave me the chance to get my career back on track in the summer."

Dons boss Anderson jumped at the chance to sign a proven Conference goalscorer and D'Sane was delighted to come onboard.

He didn't take long to get on the goal trail again and is the Dons' leading scorer,hitting the net 11 times.

"Dave's been good to me and I've settled in really well at AFC," said the Epsom-born forward. "I'm enjoying my football again, have made new friends and the fans here have been excellent.

"Things have gone a lot better than I thought and it's been good to get my reputation back after being out of football for so long. Everyone at AFC Wimbledon has been brilliant.

"I'm enjoying things at a big club and playing in front of a big crowd. I hope I can score the goals to get them promoted."

With thanks to the South London Press
Source:
http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk