Midfielder left “a little bit gutted” about AFC Wimbledon career ending

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Dean Parrett admits he is a “little bit gutted” about his AFC Wimbledon career being over – after agreeing a deal last week to join League One rivals Gillingham.

The Dons had offered a new contract to the midfielder, 26, who signed from Stevenage in 2016.

But Parrett will be a Gills player from July 1.

“I’m a little bit gutted about it because I’ve had a lot of support from the fans and the players – I’ve made some great friends,” said the former Tottenham youth product. “We could not come to an agreement and obviously you look elsewhere.

“It is time for a new chapter, a new challenge which is exciting at Gillingham.”

Parrett scored the decisive goal – a penalty – in a 3-2 win at Walsall in April which clinched Wimbledon’s safety.

He spent three months out with a groin injury suffered in October which required surgery.

“I’ll always keep the memory of that goal – it was a great feeling for everybody,” said Parrett. “There was a bit of pressure on it for me and it worked out to be the one which probably kept us up.

“My time at the club was a little bit stop-start, there were ups and downs. I thought I did well in the first season, I scored six goals and got 12 assists.

“Last season was a bit more of a down because I missed quite a lot with injury. But I gave everything for the club while I was there. I can walk away knowing I did that, hopefully it is enough.

“It was a fantastic feeling to come back into the team and help it to stay up. The fact we did it with a game to go was a really good feeling and the club deserved it.”

Photo: PAUL EDWARDS