Dave Beasant is backing AFC Wimbledon’s bid to get into the Football League – but reckons they may have to wait a little longer.

It will help to ease the anguish Beasant feels about the fact his greatest achievement came with a club that no longer exists.

His finest moment came when he became the first man to save an FA Cup final penalty, playing for Wimbledon against Liverpool in 1988, and he also was the first keeper to captain the winners and lift the trophy at Wembley.

“When I talk about the highlight of my career there are young kids who ask who you play for,” speaking at FA Cup sponsors’ Eon’s Great Saves Experience at Westfield Shopping Centre.

“I say Wimbledon and they don’t know who they are because they don’t exist any more. That was the main achievement of my career so that is disappointing.

“The good thing to come out of it is that the name of Wimbledon is being resurrected through AFC Wimbledon and they are doing well and could get into the Football League.

“There will never be another Wimbledon going from non-league through to the Premiership and winning the FA Cup because of the finances in the game these days.

“There cup final will be getting into the Football League when that day comes.”

But Beasant, who played 340 games for Wimbledon and appeared for England twice during a 25-year career, thinks Dons may have to wait a little longer to get out of the Blue Square Premier.

“They are just off the play-offs, but I think it is going to be difficult for them this season because there are some good teams in that division,” he added.

“There are teams with more resources than AFC Wimbledon but the great thing they going for them is the great fan base.”

Beasant himself has had portrait photos taken by photographer Tom Stoddart, along with other keeping legends Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence and Jim Montgomery, as part of an exhibition which forms part of Eon’s Between The Sticks Campaign.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, he was in Westfield Shopping Centre along with the FA Cup to spread the goalkeeping gospel and, even at the age of 50, still made some saves he was proud of.

Beasant was a goalkeeping coach with Fulham before linking up with the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain, which aims to give young players released by Premiership and Championship academies a second chance at making the grade.

He believes that experience could stand him in good stead for another coaching role in the professional game.

“I enjoyed working for a top-flight side on the coaching side but that was mainly in goalkeeping and, since I have been in Spain I have been working with outfield players as well,” he said.

“If a coaching or management job comes up that I find appealing I wouldn’t rule out a return.

“I’m working along top coaches such as Glenn Hoddle, Graham Rix and Nigel Spackman so it is great experience.”