The popular Cherries skipper, and last seasons Player Of The Year, Tommy Elphick, speaks about the Cherries glamour tie against Real Madrid on July 21.
Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo, Elphick is quoted as saying: "It is a massive thing for the club and it is really exciting. I think AFC Bournemouth is still seen as a small team and a small club but if we can do well this season and pitch ourselves against some really top sides, then I am sure that will help grow our reputation. Pre-season matches like this are only going to benefit the club. It is the dream. When you grow up, you watch these players and you want to play against them and see how you fare. You always try to compare yourself with players at the highest level and it will be interesting to see how we compete. It is great preparation for the season because we are going to be facing a lot of different styles of play and different sorts of players. To be trying it out so early against these players is going to be an experience and, hopefully, something that is going to stand us in good stead for the season".