Dean Holdsworth | Kidnapped By Sam Hamman

Dean Holdsworth joins us this week, taking us inside the madness of the Crazy Gang and the sheer brilliance (and chaos) of eccentric owner Sam Hammam, who once famously “kidnapped” him to get a deal over the line.

Starting out at Watford alongside his brother David, Dean recalls their early days winding up the formidable youth team boss Tom Walley. But after struggling to break into the first team, his journey took an unexpected turn  including the bizarre moment he ended up in another club’s team photo… without ever signing for them.

Fast forward to the peak Crazy Gang years, and Holdsworth was flying, going toe-to-toe with the likes of Shearer, Ian Wright and Teddy Sheringham in the race for the Golden Boot.

Add in stories of chaotic pre-seasons, a team bus being burned down, a terrifying knife incident at Goodison Park, and plenty of classic Vinnie Jones antics, and Holdsworth brings to life what it truly meant to be part of Wimbledon’s most infamous era.

After it all, he reflects on his time at Bolton and his later role as chief executive, where he helped save the club from the brink of administration, only for things to turn sour in dramatic fashion.

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