As a footballer, Damien Francis lived the life every kid dreams of, playing for the club down the road he had supported all his life – Wimbledon.

Growing up in Wandsworth, Francis would walk to home games on Plough Lane and was a ball boy before being spotted aged nine, signing a professional deal at 17 and making 117 appearances for the first team before leaving aged 24.

Sadly, his career was halted early by a knee ligament injury five years later but the 34-year-old, now turning his hand to being a football agent, still holds a fondness for Wimbledon and now AFC Wimbledon – a team he wishes he had had the chance to turn out for.

“Playing for the club you are a fan of is every kid’s dream and it was my dream - my dream came true,” he said.

“I was a ball boy at Plough Lane, a fan and then a player at the club and went all the way through the ranks.

“Now there is AFC Wimbledon and they have done amazing to get to where they are. It's a huge achievement and I am very proud of everyone involved in that.

“I probably would have played for them myself if I didn't have to retire early. I would definitely have liked to have had a stint there if I could have had the chance.

“It is an amazing club and long may it continue - I have been out of the country for a long time so haven't been able to go but this season I am going to go a lot more.”

Francis’s dream come true turned sour in 2001 when the club he loved went into turmoil. Wimbledon’s owners proposed a move to Milton Keynes that was fiercely contested by fans for the next nine months but inexplicably granted by the Football Association.

“It hurt when that happened,” he added.

“It was very difficult as players because every day was different. We didn't know what we were turning up to.

“Players were not getting any salary at one point but you tried to help the club - I took a pay cut and signed a new contract on lower money.

“Of course, you emphasise with the fans. They are the ones that are needed for the club and have a passion for it.

“Myself as a fan and as a player I saw it from both sides and it was difficult.”

Having left Wimbledon for Norwich City in 2003, Francis played for Wigan Athletic and Watford before retiring, a lifestyle change that took a lot of adjusting to.

But he spent some time coaching in Suriname in South America before returning to England, where he has now begun working with agent Sky Andrew.

“When I came back, I always had in my mind to start an agency or get into the agency world,” said Francis.

“I went through ups and downs in my career and I want to relate that to players and help them.

“The reason why I am working with Sky is that he is a straight guy in the industry.

“As much as agents have a bad name, he is not one that does - he matches with my ethos.

“Players do need looking after and protecting as there is so much to deal with - a good agent is definitely needed.”