Feeney OUT & Machin OUT

Last updated : 30 August 2002 By Andy Burton
After Warren Feeney was carried off during the Swansea City match on Saturday, the Club have announced that Warren is going to be sidelined from the first team for 2-3 months having sustained severe ankle ligament damage.

This is severe blow for Sean O'Driscoll, who was dealt a 6-match ultimatum by new Chairman Peter Phillips, as Sean and Peter strive for success on the field.

The Exiles wish Warren a speedy recovery to the first team who will miss is pace and goal scoring ability.

Further news, Mel Machin announced his retirement from AFC Bournemouth after many years service. Mel first arrived at Dean Court way back in December 1970 after signing from Gillingham for £9,000 by John Bond. He instantly made the first team as part of the exciting team John Bond created at Dean Court during the early 1970's. In his 3 year spell, he made 110 appearances, scoring on 7 occassions before moving to Norwich City (along with most of Bond's Bournemouth signings, for the princely sum of £62,000.

Returning to Dean Court with the first team in a complete mess, Mel took charge as manager for the York City match, when a raw side made too many mistakes to loose 1-4 on September 3rd, 1994, and was to inspire the now famous Great Escape from certain relegation. Then in 1998, Mel was the first, and only Bournemouth manager, to lead the first tem out on to the hallowed Wembley turf to face Grimsby Town, only to see the Club defeated on the Golden Goal rule.

His last match in charge was just over two years ago, when he took charge of the opening day encounter between Bristol Rovers and AFC Bournemouth - the only game in which Chukki Eribenne has scored - and moved 'up stairs' to fulfill the role of Director Of Football. Mel remains a Director of the Club.

The AFC Bournemouth Exiles Club would like to thank Mel for all of his years of service, and wishes him well in retirement.