Neal Ardley says last night’s decision to allow AFC Wimbledon to return to Merton can be described in just one word: “huge”.

Merton Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour the Dons’ plans to build a new stadium on Plough Lane.

The yes vote sparked tears and cries of delight in the council chamber as the reality that the Dons are coming home sank in.

There were also outpourings of gratitude to Dons chief executive Erik Samuelson, who made an impassioned speech to the committee, for his role in the historic evening.

That appreciation extended to first team boss Ardley.

Wimbledon Times:

Erik Samuelson

He said: “All I can say is, it’s huge. I speak to Erik all the time and I know what it means to him and the club, and just how big a step this is.

“There is a long way to go, a lot of details to cover before that first brick is laid, but it is great news.”

He added: “I find it very humbling. I know what Erik, Ivor [Heller] and all the volunteers have put into this, I know what it means to them.

“That’s the only way I can describe how I feel – it is so humbling to know just how hard these guys have worked.

Cheers and hugging as AFC Wimbledon have Plough Lane stadium plans unanimously approved by Merton Council

“How I feel personally cannot compare to how they feel this morning.”

Ardley was also quick to recognise that the hard work behind the scenes goes beyond the impending return to Merton.

“When the original club folded, it affected so many people’s lives, and for them to even get AFC Wimbledon up and running was a huge achievement,” he said.

“Since then, they have made so many right decisions at every stage, from the managers they have appointed – and I am not talking about me – all the way to down to little decisions.

“All those good and right decisions have got them to the point where they can say, we are going home.”