When AFC Wimbledon’s first game in the Football League begins on Saturday, it will represent the end of a very long journey, but for chief executive Erik Samuelson it is the start of an even more exciting one.

Nine years ago, Wimbledon fans saw their club renamed, rebranded and rehoused and went from facing the likes of Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion and Wolves every week, to having to start from scratch in the Combined Counties League against Cove, Hartley Whitney and AFC Wallingford.

The idea they could get back in the professional divisions seemed a dream more than a reality but, five promotions later, here they are, preparing to face Bristol Rovers and establish themselves back in the big time.

There will no doubt be some tears among the sell-out crowd but Samuelson has no intention of stopping here, with a new stadium and promotion on the agenda.

“It is mission accomplished but not finished, we have lots more to do,” he said.

“We have a new stadium to find, we have got to establish ourselves and then look toward League One.

“For the next four or five years, I think we will be constrained by our ground and therefore it is essential we put a lot of effort into finishing a new ground now.

“We met Merton Council a couple of weeks ago, ran through four potential options with them and have narrowed it down to three, each of which needs more work.

“We will go back in three months time with the intention of saying that’s the one and then start motoring on that one.

“It will probably take seven to nine years to do it from today but it would still be nice to find it and know we are going to it.

“Kingston Council we are talking to as well but they know we have to talk to Merton first, Wimbledon should be in Wimbledon, no insult intended to Kingston.”

Despite looking to the future, Samuelson admits there will be emotion when the stands are full and the whistle blows on Saturday.

“As a fan I will feel immense pride,” he said.

“A serious number of fans that were watching that day in 2002 have played an active part in the growth and development of the club and they can all take immense pride in what they have done and their contribution.

“For me, it is how pleased I am that we have done this the right way, we were forced to start where we did, we have worked our way through the pyramid, we have proved it can be done and we have proved a bunch of fans who knew nothing about football can build a proper football league club.

“Now we need to keep it like that.”

Will you be at Kingsmeadow on Saturday to see the Dons back in the Football League? Leave your comment below, call 020 8722 6360 or email: gmoody@london.newsquest.co.uk.