AFC Wimbledon new boy Mark Beard says it took him all of 10 minutes to decide he wanted to make a Kingsmeadow return.

The former Kingstonian utility man agreed terms with the Dons last week and went straight into the side that beat Debenham LC 5-1 in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday, thanks to a Tony Finn double and strikes from Antony Howard, Steve Ferguson and Daniel Webb.

After an unhappy period as player/assistant boss with Blue Square South side St Albans City, Beard revealed it took him no time at all to agree a move to the Dons.

He said: "I spoke to Terry Brown and it took me 10 minutes to decide I wanted to join the club. To be fair, I knew I wanted to join even before I spoke to the manager.

"I am 32 years old now but I am still very ambitious."

"It is a massive club with a huge fan base and I know everyone is desperate for promotion."

And Beard has revealed he was more than happy to escape his St Albans hell.

He said: "I left Stevenage after playing in the FA Trophy final at Wembley and was asked to join St Albans by Richie Hanlon. But he was sacked and I thought I should leave, too, out of loyalty - to be honest, I regret joining that club.

"If I knew what the club was like I would never have joined - they have got no ambition and no budget.

He added: "But now I am at a club that is completely different. Everything is in place for us to win promotion - it is a very professional club and that is one of the main reasons I wanted to join."

And Beard's transition from St Albans to Kingsmeadow will be made easier thanks to familiar faces and surroundings.

He said: "I used to play against Simon Bassey as a kid and I have played with or against Rob Quinn, Jason Goodliffe, Sam Hatton and Daniel Webb.

"And, of course, I will be used to playing at Kingsmeadow because of my time with Kingstonian. I am really looking forward to playing there in front of the Dons supporters."