Dons ace Luke's promotion delight

8:18am Friday 16th May 2008

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Luke Garrard is relishing the prospect of strutting his stuff in the Blue Square South with AFC Wimbledon next season.

Garrard, the longest-serving outfield player on the books at Kingsmeadow, made 36 starts as Dons booked their place in the higher level with a 2-1 victory over Staines Town.

And the former Swindon Town midfielder is delighted to be stepping up a grade.

Garrard said: "We set ourselves a target of promotion, so it is a case of job done.

"We did not do ourselves any favours with our form against the lower teams.

"We didn't pick up enough points against the bottom four and that could have cost us.

"But that is in the past now.

"I played in the Conference South for Bishops Stortford, so I know a bit of what it's about.

"The pitches are better, the stadiums are nicer and the football is of a higher quality.

"It will be a whole new ball game for us. I can't wait."

Garrard was called in by manager Terry Brown for talks as the Dons boss wielded the axe on his squad following promotion.

But, unlike eight team-mates shown the door, Garrard was rewarded with a new contract.

And the former Tottenham trainee was relieved to have his future secured.

He added: "You have to have belief in your own ability but I was still a bit nervous.

"You just have to be positive and then good things happen.

"If you are too negative, things are likely to go wrong, but now my future is finalised here and I can look forward."