It's taken Danny Kedwell more than a decade longer than he might have hoped but he’ll finally play in the Football League for Gillingham this weekend.

The striker (pictured), who joined the Gills at the start of July from AFC Wimbledon in a deal believed to be worth £100,000, will lead the line at Priestfield on Saturday.

Kedwell’s debut comes just over 10 years since he was on trial at the club and he is happily counting down the hours.

He said: "I’m excited. I was still pinching myself in pre-season games that I was running out wearing a Gillingham shirt.

"I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time and now I need to do the business.

"It will hit home when I wake up on Saturday morning and then again when I get to the ground.

"I’m looking forward to it and I’d love to get that first goal on Saturday. It’s the one I really want, to score in the Football League and to do it for Gillingham would be something special."

Ironically, Kedwell was on trial during Andy Hessenthaler’s previous spell as manager.

"When I was younger it didn’t go too well for me here and I did think maybe my chance had gone," admitted Kedwell, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday.

"But I’ve worked hard and I’m happy the gaffer has brought me back to where I’ve always wanted to play."

Kedwell spent the next few years moving around the lower reaches of non-league football, including spells with Chatham and Lordswood, before then Welling manager Adrian Pennock – a former Gills defender – snapped him up in 2005.

A total of 49 goals in two seasons prompted Grays to pay a tribunal-fixed £12,000 although he lasted little over a year in Essex when AFC Wimbledon snapped him up for £10,000.

He helped fire them to promotion to the Conference Premier and then scored the winning spot-kick in the play-off final penalty shoot-out to send the Dons into the Football League.

"I went off the rails a bit after I left Gills but Ady rescued me and got me back on track," said Kedwell. "That’s when the penny dropped.

"He said I should be playing much higher. He gave me an opportunity and I’ve pushed on ever since."

See Friday's Medway Messenger newspaper for a comprehensive pre-season preview, including interviews with Ross Flitney and Matt Fish and the 2011/12 team picture.

Do you think Kedwell will be among League 2's leading scorers this season? Comment below.