When the Football Association approved Wimbledon’s move 56 miles north to Milton Keynes on May 28 2002, one supporter arrived at Plough Lane with a small coffin under his arm.

He propped the box upright before draping over a Union Jack with ‘Wimbledon’ emblazoned across it, scrawled in black marker pen. There was no hope.

And yet, what a second coming they’ve had. The formation of MK Dons is for many emblematic of an avaricious attitude within English football that manifests itself in a variety of unedifying ways, whether in the exploitation of supporters, the increasing corporate influence at leading clubs or – most unsavoury of all – the willingness of some to seek personal financial gain by bending the regulations.

Recent newspaper allegations have exposed some of the lurid machinations in the modern game and so it was refreshing to see AFC Wimbledon’s 14-year, fan-led struggle receive arguably its most symbolic validation yet.

Sunday’s 3-1 win at Oxford United was AFC Wimbledon’s maiden victory against the U’s in two attempts but of far greater significance, it moved them above MK Dons in the League One table for the first time in their history.

It is difficult to overstate the pride felt by those who formed the club out of an overwhelming sense of injustice at Wimbledon’s hijacking in the name of what they call ‘Franchise FC’ and have tirelessly fought their way up the football pyramid ever since.

Six promotions in 14 years and the heady heights of 10th in football’s third tier is a remarkable transformation for a team who were thrashed 4-0 in their first official game against Sutton United in 2002.

One senior official at the club described their reaction to the result that day. “We were absolutely chuffed to death with it,” he said, reflecting more on the sheer force of will that had enabled a group of supporters with no experience in football governance somehow giving birth to a new club whose first gate exceeded 4,000.

AFC Wimbledon’s exponential growth stands as a testament to the survival of fan power in football’s corporate age. Fan ownership can not only exist but thrive. It was a betrayal of 113 years of history which allowed Wimbledon’s old ground at Plough Lane to be sold to Safeway for £8million before Norwegian investors took control for a further £28m and uprooted the club to Milton Keynes.

A team whose soul was its biggest strength had it traded as a commodity with no regard for the local community. Stadium: mk was a key element of a proposed development in Milton Keynes but rather than finance a local non-League team to climb the domestic ladder and grow into a new arena – just as AFC Wimbledon went on to do – a short cut was found despite near universal opposition.

The lack of respect for local fans is an issue across the game and there will be supporters of many clubs up and down the country who will take hope from AFC Wimbledon’s success; mismanagement has created a host of fallen giants in the Championship and beyond with Charlton and Leeds United perhaps most prominent among them.

Every great story of heroism needs a dastardly villain and MK Dons are depicted thus, even though there have since been genuine attempts to forge a meaningful two-way relationship with the locals; the galling aspect for most supporters is the forced nature of that fan/club relationship and the awkward juxtaposition of a state-of-the-art venue and absence of history.

MK Dons play an attacking brand of football and have sought to develop young talent where possible – every Englishman can be grateful for Dele Alli’s emergence, having joined the club roughly three years after its formation – and as recently as January, Pete Winkelman reprised his role as the apologetic architect insisting AFC Wimbledon’s progress had “made my bad move right.”

In Pictures: AFC Wimbledon celebrate promotion after beating Plymouth Argyle 15 show all In Pictures: AFC Wimbledon celebrate promotion after beating Plymouth Argyle 1/15 Well Don, Wimbledon! AFC Wimbledon players hold the League Two Play-Off trophy aloft. 2016 Getty Images 2/15 Ardley believe it Neal Ardley, manager of Wimbledon celebrates after their victory. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 3/15 On the up Wimbledon players celebrate after the full-time whistle. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 4/15 Winners at Wombley Dons celebrate Lyle Taylor's winning goal. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 5/15 Icing on the cake Akinfenwa coolly converts from the penalty spot. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images 6/15 Lyle Taylor runs to manager Neil Ardley after putting Wimbledon ahead. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 7/15 Taylor made Lyle Taylor caused problems for Plymouth in the opening stages. 2016 Getty Images 8/15 Team bonding The Wimbledon players huddle before kick-off. Getty Images 9/15 Wembley Way The fans arrive for the final. 2016 Getty Images 10/15 Wave your flag Plymouth fans were in fine voice in the build-up. 2016 Getty Images 11/15 Final face Plenty of fans dressed to impress. 2016 Getty Images 12/15 Hairy moment One young fan showed no nerves. 2016 Getty Images 13/15 Early battle Lyle Tayor of Wimbledon tackles with Curtis Nelson. 2016 Getty Images 14/15 Midfield battle Andy Barcham looks to get the ball off Jake Jervis. Getty Images 15/15 Dons crowding them out Paul Robinson beats Jervis to the ball. Getty Images 1/15 Well Don, Wimbledon! AFC Wimbledon players hold the League Two Play-Off trophy aloft. 2016 Getty Images 2/15 Ardley believe it Neal Ardley, manager of Wimbledon celebrates after their victory. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 3/15 On the up Wimbledon players celebrate after the full-time whistle. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 4/15 Winners at Wombley Dons celebrate Lyle Taylor's winning goal. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 5/15 Icing on the cake Akinfenwa coolly converts from the penalty spot. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images 6/15 Lyle Taylor runs to manager Neil Ardley after putting Wimbledon ahead. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 7/15 Taylor made Lyle Taylor caused problems for Plymouth in the opening stages. 2016 Getty Images 8/15 Team bonding The Wimbledon players huddle before kick-off. Getty Images 9/15 Wembley Way The fans arrive for the final. 2016 Getty Images 10/15 Wave your flag Plymouth fans were in fine voice in the build-up. 2016 Getty Images 11/15 Final face Plenty of fans dressed to impress. 2016 Getty Images 12/15 Hairy moment One young fan showed no nerves. 2016 Getty Images 13/15 Early battle Lyle Tayor of Wimbledon tackles with Curtis Nelson. 2016 Getty Images 14/15 Midfield battle Andy Barcham looks to get the ball off Jake Jervis. Getty Images 15/15 Dons crowding them out Paul Robinson beats Jervis to the ball. Getty Images

Yet their role as aggressors with capitalist intent ensures AFC Wimbledon’s more altruistic journey captures the public imagination to a far greater extent. The story has captivated Hollywood with a screenplay currently in production and last week Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced there would be no planning barrier to the club building a new stadium 200 yards from their former home on Plough Lane.

They are due to return to Merton some time in 2019. No coffins will be necessary.