Alongside the departure of AFC Bournemouth vice-captain Andrew Surman came the news that the Cherries had also released AFC Bournemouth captain Simon Francis.
Francis was out of contract this summer, but had previously signed a short COVID-19 extension to remain with the club ahead of the Premier League’s “Project restart”.
Francis, however, didn’t feature and hasn’t played since the 3-0 away defeat to Burnley in February 2020.
Itβs been an absolute privilege to play with franno and Surs! Two club legends that gave everything for the club. I wish them all the best in the future and they will be missed a lot on and off the pitch! π pic.twitter.com/jvpKhxpMug
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) August 16, 2020
Francis joined AFC Bournemouth initially on loan in November 2011, almost nine years ago.
As part of the loan agreement, Francis made the move to Dean Court on a permanent basis in July 2012 for a fee of just Β£25,000.
Including his loan spell, Francis went on to make 324 appearances in all competitions, playing under former managers Lee Bradbury, Paul Groves and Eddie Howe.
As a right-back, he won promotion from League One in 2013 and won the Championship in 2015. Rising through three-tiers of English football with just one club.
During the 2015/16 season, he began to adapt his game to a more central role and also took the captaincy over from Tommy Elphick.
He made 136 appearances in the Premier League, only missing 10 league games during the Cherries first three seasons in the top flight of English football.
ποΈ Eight-and-a-half ππππππππ£πͺ years
π’ 324 appearances
πͺ 124 as #PL captainWhat a great person we've had at this club. All the best Franno β€οΈ π€ pic.twitter.com/uJKG9uJcJQ
— AFC Bournemouth π (@afcbournemouth) August 17, 2020
In an interview with BBC Radio Solent the 35-year-old revealed that he felt the news was coming.
π£οΈ ''I did feel that it was the outcome that was going to happen''
Club Captain Simon Francis has been reflecting on the news that he's been released #afcb π pic.twitter.com/RZrg5bokZf
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) August 17, 2020
Simon Francis had been offered a role as part of new AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall’s backroom team, however Francis is currently keeping his options open and considering whether or not the time is right to retire from professional football.
π£οΈ ''I've spoken to the club and there would be something for me off the field in terms of a job''
Club Captain Simon Francis has been released as a player but is likely to return in another role at some stage #afcb π pic.twitter.com/aRWIATmFW2
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) August 17, 2020
Should Francis have been offered a new deal?
Yes
No
Don't Know
Your say…
Red_till_im_ded wrote…
Doors close and doors open. Fantastic servants to the club who deserve the highest of praise for their efforts over the years but time to move on and give others the opportunity to write their names on history. A strong move by the club and as already mentioned the end of an era. Eddie’s era and Eddie is no longer here. Time for JT to create his own legacy.
yesyescherry
brave move but iβm backing JT on this, who obviously wants a young hungry squad, fewer players in the treatment room and the likes of steve cook and gosling to be the more experienced leaders next season
as has been said, just a shame we couldnβt have seen them off and shown our appreciation for everything theyβve done for the club
thegazzyb
Brave but understandable decision, JTβs new dawn and all that. I also think they might both prefer to be playing regularly rather than being bit part players at most next season with us. Both will always be AFCB legends for being part of THAT squad and both would be welcomed back here in some capacity when their playing days are over. Heartfelt thanks to both of them for all they gave us and they leave with my best wishes for the future. The fact that Daniels still has a chance to prove his worth post injury pleases me. I think he has a decent chance of a contract extension and it would be well deserved after all he has been through lately. Iβd love to see him bombing down the wing for one last season ! – Join the conversation, click here.
