AFC Bournemouth captain Tommy Elphick has revealed that the Cherries were given a club history lesson ahead of the match with Bolton Wanderers.
The Cherries squad went into the game knowing that due to both Middlesbrough and Norwich City’s slip ups over the weekend, that a victory at Dean Court would all but ensure a virtual promotion to the Premier League.
To inspire the players further, the players were shown a DVD of the clubs history, from when the club was formed, through the Ted MacDougall era, the original Great Escape under Mel Machin and the more recent history of administration, point deductions and transfer embargoes. All of which led to a remarkable rise from the possible reality of non league football and potential oblivion to the Premier League in six years.
Elphick told the Daily Echo…
‘…We also saw footage of when the club escaped from relegation in 2009 and of the promotions we have had recently. We all came out of the meeting feeling pretty emotional.
“After what had happened on Saturday with the other results going our way, we knew we had to grab the opportunity with both hands and just wanted to do it for the manager, the club and the people who have been involved for so long.
“It is such a great story and it really hits home about what it means to people when you see their faces and how many lives we have affected. It is such a remarkable achievement in such a tough league and we have got a lot to look forward to next season.”
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