No one with any grasp of the saga that will hopefully start and end with football being played in Plough Lane, could have expected AFC Wimbledon’s move back home to be simple.

Some of the forces that saw Wimbledon exiled at first place are still very much at large as the club’s plans are being scrutinised and scrutinised again by those with a vested interest.

Indeed, it is an irony that the housing development that stands on the former football ground has probably added to the barriers.

The residents of Bassett House, Batsford House, Cork House, Lawrie House, Reed House and Standard House probably know little about the heroes after which their homes were named.

But many won’t be enamoured at the possibility of their homes becoming worth less because of the football ground being built next door.

What Wimbledon, or any football club relocating has to contend with, is the stigma still attached to football fans.

Rioting hordes undoubtedly tainted the game in the latter part of the 20th Century, but the four or five thousand people making their way to a League Two game will be less threatening than being out in Wimbledon or Kingston after 11pm on a Friday night.

Which is why some of the reaction of a very small minority of Wimbledon fans towards journalists and those asking questions about the scheme is concerning.

Of course, local residents with a NIMBY approach are frustrating.

The fact Wandsworth Council and the MP for Tooting have suddenly started picking holes in the scheme is frustrating.

The more questions and obstacles that get put in the way the longer the process is going to take is frustrating.

But if the final scheme is one that brings the local community on board rather than providing obstacles long into the future then those frustrations now are a price worth paying.

AFC Wimbledon have made, unbelievable strides towards returning home. It is through charm and reasoned argument that the vision will be realised.