MK Dons defender Dean Lewington is set to break the EFL record for most appearances for a single club on Boxing Day.
The Dons host Colchester on Boxing Day in what will be Lewington’s 771st appearance for the club if he does play a part. That being said, the figures do include appearances for Wimbledon prior to the club moving to Milton Keynes in 2004, numbers which the EFL has counted towards his tally.
Nonetheless it is an incredible accolade for Lewington who despite now being 39, is still showing just how valuable he is to the club.
Lewington has started four of the Dons last five League Two games, and looks set to appear in their Boxing Day clash with Colchester. If the defender plays any part in the League Two matchup, then he will break an EFL record which has stood for over 43 years.
Since 1980, Swindon legend John Trollope has held the record for most EFL appearances making an astonishing 770 appearances, a number which Lewington matched on Saturday. With 25 games still left to be played this season, Lewington looks like he’ll easily surpass Trollope’s number, which could now be impossible to match given the high player turnover in today’s game.
MK Dons have been in great form of late and have climbed up to 9th in the League Two table after going on a nine-match unbeaten run. They have what is a relatively easy Boxing Day fixture at home to 22nd placed Colchester where they’ll want to extend that run.
However Colchester would pick up their first victory since the start of November on Friday after beating Salford 2-1. MK Dons should however pose them far more of a threat as they look to move into the play-off positions.
Lewington has played a big part in that having come back into the side, and in an interview with BBC Three Counties Radio, the defender stated that he wants to continue having a big impact at the club.
“I love playing football, I love playing for MK Dons, I love where the club is going, the style of the team. The records keep coming and that’s great, but I think more importantly the club is going in the right direction and is back in a positive place again.
“The struggle is always the fun bit, games like today and the bits in between that everyone sees are the real fun, and that’s what I love and that’s why I keep doing it.”
“It’s nice. It’s obviously a pretty cool achievement. I suppose it is quite unusual, especially nowadays, but it’s been a great journey with highs and lows like everything.”
Writer’s View
Lewington now looks sure to break Trollope’s record and it is highly unlikely that his will ever be beaten. Since he has came back into the side, the Dons are yet to lose and are playing some great football at the minute.
There are question marks to what the defender will do after this season but it is highly likely he’ll remain with the club in some capacity due to everything that he has given them.
Senior Editor
