John Bond Passes Away

In the early 1970's AFC Bournemouth, or Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic as they were then known, gave the managerial reigns to a rookie manager in the form of John Bond. In his short 3-year reign the Cherris were rarely out of the headlines, being linked with the signing various big names of the day.

With John Bond at the helm, the Cherries climbed out of the old Fourth Division, thanks in part to Ted MacDougall's goals in the 1970/71 season, with the 2nd season in charge seeing the Cherries miss out on promotion to the 2nd tier by 3 points (no play-offs back then). Promotion to the 2nd tier of English football didn't come until 1986/87 when Harry Redknapp was in charge.

After Bond left for Norwich City, taking most of the successful squad with him, the Cherries went down hill, eventually slipping back in to the basement league a yaer later.

A statement on the Clubs Official Web Site reads: "It is with regret that we report the passing of former Bournemouth manager John Bond. John Bond became manager in 1970 as the Cherries faced life in Division Four for the first time and totally transformed the side. In his first season, he led Bournemouth & Boscombe to second place, the first time the club had ever been promoted. He left Bournemouth in November 1973 to take over at Norwich, leaving the club with many memories of such great times. AFC Bournemouth would like to offer their condolences to the family and friends of John Bond".

Saturday's match against Walsall will be preceeded with a minutes applause.

Here's John's record as a manager: