Terry Brown has lavished praise on departing full-back Luke Garrard after the 24-year-old elected to quit the Dons this week to join Ryman Premier side Boreham Wood.

Garrard has struggled to create an impact this season, spending three months on loan at Boreham Wood as he battled back from a cruciate ligament injury.

And after a Wimbledon career that took in 121 first-team appearances, and six goals, since his March 2006 arrival, Brown has wished the defender all the best in his future endeavours.

He said: “In a way the timing has been unfortunate as we have not been able to make as a big a fuss of him as we wanted to.

“Luke has been an integral part of the success this club has had, even before I arrived at Wimbledon.

“He was our longest serving player and a great person to have around the dressing room.

“I can only say good things about him and that goes for everyone else at the club.”

Garrard’s last appearance for the Dons was a midfield performance in the Surrey Senior Cup win over Camberley Town last week.

And Brown reckons the former Tottenham and Swindon Town man still has plenty to offer to the game.

He added: “I feel Luke should still be playing at this level but that is his decision to drop down a few leagues and I respect that.

“All I would like to do now is thank him for everything he did for this club.

“He was absolutely brilliant and I wish him all the luck in the world. ”