AFC Bournemouth winger Marc Pugh was due to spend his remaining days as a Cherries player on loan in the Championship with Hull City, however, an injury forced his return to Dean Court, giving him a chance to say goodbye to a club that he has played and scored for in England’s top three divisions.
The 32-year-old was given a guard of honour by the current AFC Bournemouth squad shortly before the game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Thank you so much to @afcbournemouth for the opportunity to have such an incredible send off today. So grateful to have been a part of such an incredible journey over the last 9 years – had the time of my life. 🍒 ⚽️❤️ pic.twitter.com/z065NKZfRp
— Marc Pugh (@MarcPugh7) May 4, 2019
Dean Court announcer Mike Botto introduced Marc Pugh as an AFC Bournemouth legend and that is indeed how he will be remembered by the AFC Bournemouth supporters.
Pugh joined the Cherries from Hereford in 2010, due to being under the age of 24, his transfer fee was settled by a Football Association tribunal.
Pugh rejected a contract offer from Hereford after the winger enjoyed his best season in the Football League to-date, scoring thirteen goals in League Two during the 2009/10 season, including three against AFC Bournemouth.
In August 2010 the Football Association set a fee of an initial £60,000, with an additional £40,000 in staged appearance related payments.
At the time then vice chairman Jeff Mostyn believed the fee was ‘quite excessive’.
Having scored in League One and the Championship for the Cherries, Pugh scored the opening goal of the game against Bolton Wanderers that secured AFC Bournemouth’s promotion to the Premier League.
Pugh went on to score against West Ham United in the Cherries first ever top-flight victory, which means that Pugh has scored in the top five divisions of English football.
Thanks for the memories, Pughie ❤🖤 pic.twitter.com/QaWg4s4U2M
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 3, 2019
Overall Pugh has made 312 appearances in all competitions for AFC Bournemouth, scoring 56 goals. He was a key member of both the 2013 League One promotion winning side and the 2015 Championship title-winning squad.
During AFC Bournemouth’s four seasons in the Premier League, Pugh made 67 appearances in the top flight of English football.
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe told afcb.co.uk…
“Marc has been an incredible servant to AFC Bournemouth over the last nine years, He has epitomised the club’s journey through the Football League to where we are today and has not only been a great player on the pitch but a key figure off it, too.
“He has always displayed incredible professionalism in any situation and he set the standards in terms of teamwork.
“He is someone who has been the perfect role model for younger players to look at and follow.
“I would finally like to say thank you to Marc on behalf of everyone connected with AFC Bournemouth.”
"When i think about what we've achieved as a football club, it's been the best nine years of my life." @MarcPugh7 says he was overwhelmed by the reception he received today
Listen to Pugh on @BBCRadioSolent 🔊👉 https://t.co/hejQwyCh8a #afcb 🍒 pic.twitter.com/uNeHe5b4bI
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) May 4, 2019
Your say…
Silent AFCB wrote…
Will be the first name mentioned in the squad that achieved the unachievable by myself and many others I suspect. Club legend. Sad to see him go, but it’s impossible to expect anything else from a top professional that wants to play games. – Join the conversation, click here.
AFCB Vital sponsors of Cherry Bear and Supporters Travel
