What emotional obligations do players have to their teams and the fans?

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while and I’m not sure I’ve come up with an answer.

I appreciate it when players have a strong connection to Wimbledon and the fans, especially when it persists after they leave.

Consider Danny Kedwell, Jack Midson or Seb Brown— they still have a deep affection for AFC Wimbledon.

Even former players who find themselves in opposition kit— like Sammy Moore— took time out to, say, wish us well during the stadium hearing last week.

It’s heartening when that happens. It challenges the cynics that say that club loyalty is a sham.

AFC Wimbledon: Ben Wilson returns to Cardiff City after Twitter row with fans

But of course the expectation of that kind of loyalty is problematic. For most footballers, it’s just a job.

There’s nothing wrong with that. And certainly I don’t think fans should expect every player to kiss the badge, or bear resentment when they find success and belonging with another team.

I guess we’re lucky that we have a club where so many people find a home and not just a paycheck.

That something about wearing our blue and yellow sticks with people, stays with them even after they leave. It suggests that maybe AFC Wimbledon is different.

Which, I think, is what made the Ben Wilson incident such a surprise.

To be clear, his comments were troubling, as was his apparent lack of interest in taking responsibility for either his words or his recent performances.

And if that is why the club sent him back to Cardiff, it’s a decision I completely support.

I think what rustled so many fans with this incident is that we’re so used to players having such affection for the club that seeing a player not respect the club or the fans feels discordant.

If there’s any lesson to take from Wilson’s outburst, it’s that we shouldn’t take the Kedwells and Browns for granted.