A few years ago, it seemed to be customary to sign a player on a 12-month deal, with the annual round of contract negotiations. Now the tide has turned with Eddie Mitchell keen to sign players on longer term deals, as we've seen with the likes of Mark Molesley, Danny Ings, Harry Arter and Joe Partington.
Mitchell is quoted in the Bournemouth Evening Echo as saying: "We have got a bunch of lads capable of playing at the top of this division and I want to keep them – that is the thinking behind it. We want to build the club and the team and I want to give Bradders the support I can. I want our boys to know they have got a place here and they have got a job to do. They are capable of doing it".