Narada has been handed a free transfer, and will leave the club after the play off final.
28 May
Warren Cummings picked up an ankle injury in training prior to the Play Off final, an investigation revealed no serious damage although it was apparently touch and go as to whether he could play. Both he and James Hayter have had hernia operations and should be ready in time for pre-season. Jason Tindall is progressing well after the operation on his damaged left ankle ligaments.
29 May
Peter Phillips is confident that the “vast majority” of the 8 out of contract players will stay at Dean Court; Tindall Maher, (Steve) Fletcher, O’Connor, Thomas, Stewart, Feeney and Young. Although having said that if the right offer comes along it would be difficult to turn it away. Now where have we heard that before! The £30k from the Millennium gate is said to be equivalent to about half an average home gate and will be rapidly eaten into for bonus payments and the like.
30 May
O’Connor and Maher have both committed themselves to the Cherries for a further twelve months.
31 May
Carl Fletcher has signed a one-year extension to his current deal and will stay at AFCB until June 2005. However, the agreement to support this extension sees Playershare running seriously short of funds.
Former Cherry David Town has moved on, and is now nearer home, at Havant & Waterlooville.
Shaun Teale is being touted as new Manager at Northwich Victoria now the present incumbent Jimmy Quinn is being lined up at Shrewsbury Town.
John Bailey has joined Lymington & New Milton, who are trying to entice Russell Beardsmore back into the local scene as a player coach.
3 June
Scott McDonald’s move to AFCB could lie in the hands of the Australian Soccer Federation. The under-20 captain is set to be involved in the world Youth Championships and also qualifying matches for the Olympic games, so could well miss the winter months here.
A number of friendly fixtures have been announced…
8 July at Hamworthy recreation (Magna Road),
15 July home to West Ham United,
19 July home to Portsmouth,
22 July at Bashley,
28 July home to reading and
2 August home to Leicester City.
Ian Cox has joined Gillingham.
4 June
Steve Claridge has been appointed as player Manager at Weymouth. Harry Redknapp has agreed that Lewis Buxton can spend the next season at Dean Court, but has ruled out a permanent move.
The Premiership new boys have also had a £750k bid for Matt Holland accepted, and are waiting for the player to agree terms. This is certainly a cut-price bargain offer considering the midfielder was worth £4m around a year ago! If the deal goes through AFCB will miss out on a (much-needed) windfall that would have arrived for anything over £800k.