The popular wing-back is out of contract at the end of the season

An emotional Joe Tomlinson could have played his final game at Stadium MK as he paid tribute to MK Dons fans on Saturday.

The 25-year-old is a popular figure amongst the supporters, and helped lead the celebrations on the pitch after Dons secured automatic promotion with their 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.

Making only ten league starts this term, Tomlinson is out of contract at the end of the season and could depart Milton Keynes. Speaking after Saturday’s game, the wing-back appeared to be bidding farewell.

He said: “I’ll never forget these fans and I’ll never forget how they have treated me and my family through the tough times, they have been nothing but amazing to me. In the first-half when one of the Tranmere lads was injured, they were singing my name, it’s stuff I’ll never forget.

“My family have absolutely loved it here, I’ve loved it here. To do this for the fans, with the pitch invasion, it’s something I’ll never forget, my kid will never forget, my wife will never forget.

“It has been a difficult season for me but being able to play in the last couple of games has been special, walking out with my daughter too because I was starting, it’s little moments like that which make it all worth it, all the hard work over the years. I’m super blessed.”

With one game still remaining this season, Dons know victory at Highbury Stadium next Saturday against Fleetwood Town will secure the club their first league title since 2008.

And after three seasons at the club, Tomlinson, who won the Community Ambassador prize at the End of Season Award, says he wants to finish this one on a high.

He said: “This is why I came to this club. I’m so glad that we were able to do it for the fans, for the club. It’s such an amazing club and it shouldn’t have been in this league.

“The reason I came here was to feel this moment. And there were tough times: the play-offs, last year, so hopefully now we can go on and win the league and make it even more amazing.

“Last year was tough for everyone, and I’m so sorry to the fans for it because it was so bad. But if we had to go through that to get to this, that’s what we want. I’m so glad it has happened.

“I’m so happy for the club, for the manager and the owner it’s amazing, for my team-mates, it’s a special day and we want to go and win the league next week.”