One of AFC Wimbledon’s heroes from their last play-off final victory has put the club’s continuing rise up the football ladder into very simple terms.

Ricky Wellard was part of the Dons side that beat Luton Town at the City of Manchester stadium in the 2011 National Conference play-off final to seal their return to the Football League.

The 28-year-old, who would leave the club a year later having made 65 appearances, still has a soft spot for the Dons, and admitted he is likely to be in the Wembley crowd cheering them on in the League Two final against Plymouth Argyle come bank holiday Monday.

In some ways, the trip to Wembley marks the culmination of a journey from the humblest of venues to the grand-daddy of arenas – a journey Wellard spent three years travelling.

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He said: “What the club has achieved in such a short period of time is unbelievable.

“Put simply, to come from holding training sessions on the local common to playing in a League Two play-off final at Wembley is incredible.

“It is an amazing journey and one I don’t think will ever be matched – certainly not in the time.”

He added: “To think they could be playing that team from down the road in the same league.

“I know fans have mixed feelings about it, but it is unbelievable if you stop and think about it.”

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Wellard’s play-off final ended on 67 minutes when he was substituted for James Mullay, and so he had to watch from the dug-out as the Dons went through extra-time to reach penalties.

But when Danny Kedwell scored the vital final penalty to start the Dons celebrations – both on and off the pitch – Wellard knew he was living a career highlight.

He said: “It was the highlight of my career, and if I could go back and relive those moments I would try to take more of it in – it was a great celebration and a great day.

“One of the things that sticks in my mind was the fans’ reaction and seeing grown men cry – it made you realise how much it means to the fans.”

He added: “Today’s players don’t need any advice from me, but I would say enjoy the moment, because they don’t come along very often.

“You can play football for 15 years and you may never get the chance to play at Wembley in front of a large crowd. Enjoy the moment and take it all in.”