Twitter spat was the last straw for Cardiff City loanee

Neal Ardley - "Ben Wilson had to go"

AFC Wimbledon: Twitter spat was the last straw for Cardiff City loanee, says Ardley.

15th Jan 2016

Former Dons keeper Ben Wilson was “bang out of order” for his Twitter spat with fans and he had to go, boss Neal Ardley has admitted.

However, the finger of blame was not pointed solely at Wilson, whose loan spell from Cardiff City came to an end after his clanger cost the Dons all the points against Stevenage in December.

After the game, fans went to Twitter to berate the 23-year-old’s form, to which Wilson responded: “You’re still paying to watch every week and helping towards my wage, I’m laughing and you’re losing out”.

Ardley acknowledged that Wilson had been provoked into the retort and while fans were wrong to pick on the keeper, he said the club could not ignore the spat.

He said: “What we cannot do as a club is stand by that sort of thing going on and we’d come to a point where there was no option but to send him back.

“Fans can do and say what they want to players, but players have got to do things the right way and part of being a footballer is unfortunately taking what comes your way.

“Ben was bang out of order and the club did the right thing and that is stand by the fans, no matter how wrong the fans have been in the first place.”

He added: “The players get training from the FA on social media at the start of the season.

“They get warned over how things can go in a different direction if they are not careful, but I think it was a stupid episode, and hopefully everyone has learnt from it.

“I don’t go on social media because I can imagine what would be said to me every time we lost a game.”

Ardley also admitted that Wilson’s dire form meant his days in a Dons shirt were numbered even before the social media furore.

The keeper, brought in to fill in for the injured James Shea, made nine appearances conceding 10 goals, including a mistake against Forest Green Rovers that cost the Dons their place in the FA Cup.


“Ben had got to the point as a player where he did not deserve his place in the team,” Ardley said.

“He had made far too many errors on the pitch and you always try to stick by people, but there comes a point when players behind them are asking ‘How many chances is he going to get before I get my chance’ – and we’d come to a point where that was the case.”

http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/spor ... y/?ref=mac

What a tw*t! (Wilson)

Well Wilson has shown his true colours. As long as fans turn up and fund his wages he's laughing. What a wanker.

What a tw*t! (Wilson)

I'd watch what you're saying, he might come on here and give you some shit.

Fair enough from Neal Ardley and Wimbledon, but he (Wilson) should now be judged on his ability/performances for Cardiff City FC and allowed to move on

Any further incidents of a similar nature would only confirm his 'character' and undoubtedly lead to the exit door!

It reminds me of the Office sketch where Brent is dressed as Austin Powers on stage and a reveller calls him a wanker, his reply was "your the wanker mate if anyone is, i'm just taking your money"

What a tw*t! (Wilson)

I'd watch what you're saying, he might come on here and give you some shit.

Haha I'd welcome it but I think he's probably learnt his lesson!

I don't think Wilson has done too much wrong, don't dish it out if you can't take it back.

Ardley is correct he was provoked, if they can dish out the abuse to him then he's fully allowed to dish it back. Good on the lad.

I don't think Wilson has done too much wrong, don't dish it out if you can't take it back.

Ardley is correct he was provoked, if they can dish out the abuse to him then he's fully allowed to dish it back. Good on the lad.

No, when your a highly paid professional your paid to act like one. That comes with being a professional in any job, you have to act in a certain way as not to bring yourself or what your representing into disrepute. What he said I'd expect from a 15 year old Internet warrior. Footballers get abuse on a regular basis, it's part of what they have to deal with

Fair enough from Neal Ardley and Wimbledon, but he (Wilson) should now be judged on his ability/performances for Cardiff City FC and allowed to move on

Any further incidents of a similar nature would only confirm his 'character' and undoubtedly lead to the exit door!

Agree.

Fair enough from Neal Ardley and Wimbledon, but he (Wilson) should now be judged on his ability/performances for Cardiff City FC and allowed to move on

Any further incidents of a similar nature would only confirm his 'character' and undoubtedly lead to the exit door!

He's 23 so he's hardly an immature youngster! It's disgraceful behaviour and he's already shown what type of 'character' he is.

He's a character who will never have the mentality or professionalism to succeed for us and I don't want people like him at our football club.

I would terminate his contract immediately!

Ben is a decent young lad. He made a mistake and he knows he did.

You lot must be perfect........


He is a Cardiff City player so I understand why some of you drongos want to berate him.

I don't think Wilson has done too much wrong, don't dish it out if you can't take it back.

Ardley is correct he was provoked, if they can dish out the abuse to him then he's fully allowed to dish it back. Good on the lad.

No, when your a highly paid professional your paid to act like one. That comes with being a professional in any job, you have to act in a certain way as not to bring yourself or what your representing into disrepute. What he said I'd expect from a 15 year old Internet warrior. Footballers get abuse on a regular basis, it's part of what they have to deal with

its just a job though ? Surely if anyone got oppressed they get the right to dish it back whatever job they got.if your big enough to give your big enough to take

I don't think Wilson has done too much wrong, don't dish it out if you can't take it back.

Ardley is correct he was provoked, if they can dish out the abuse to him then he's fully allowed to dish it back. Good on the lad.

No, when your a highly paid professional your paid to act like one. That comes with being a professional in any job, you have to act in a certain way as not to bring yourself or what your representing into disrepute. What he said I'd expect from a 15 year old Internet warrior. Footballers get abuse on a regular basis, it's part of what they have to deal with

Can see where you are coming from but totally disagree.. if you dish it out then he has every right to throw it back.