AFC Wimbledon have Sir Alex Ferguson to thank at least in part for the arrival of one of their more recent Scottish imports.

Sean Kelly might have swapped Scottish football stickers in the school playground as a kid along with the rest of them, but Fergie’s United were his footballing first love and his first top was the away strip sported by David Beckham and the rest of the class of 92.

It sowed in his heart a yearning to ply his trade south of the border one day.

So, when Neal Ardley came calling it was a chance to tick a dream off his footballing bucket list.

“Growing up in Scotland, Scottish football was the main attraction as that is what you are watching and trading cards with as a kid,” he said.

“I’ve always supported Manchester United. I grew up with Sir Alex Ferguson and my first football shirt was one of those old yellow and green away kits.

“So, coming down south to play and experience English football is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

“I think if I had finished my career and never tried English football I would have always wondered what if.”

Another attraction for the now 23-year-old Glaswegian, who played 90 times for St Mirren at the top level north of the border, is the greater variety of clubs in League One compared to the somewhat parochial nature of the Scottish game.

“Down here there are 24 teams in some of the leagues whereas up north there are only really 12 so you are playing the same one four or five times a year if you get them in a cup as well, so it gets a bit monotonous,” the AFC Wimbledon man added.

“Four go down and four come up in League One as well which adds a bit of freshness and the playoffs also bring another level of excitement.”

Kelly will hope to add to his nine appearances so far this term in either Sunday’s televised FA Cup tie at Conference North outfit Curzon Ashton or in next Tuesday’s EFL trophy last 32 encounter at home to Brighton U23’s.