A Big Thank You From Kevin Bond - Gaffer desperate to repay fans' overwhelming generosity

If Cherries should fall into League Two on Saturday it won't be through lack of trying. The players have not only taken a 50% wage deferral to help the club through administration, but the team have embarked on a six game winning run to keep the survival dream alive going into the final match.

The supporters have responded. And how! Over 1,450 away tickets have been sold for the match, 500 more than any away game this season. And don't forget the club has taken 5% of of each ticket sale providing valuable revenue to keep the club moving until its future is resolved.

The management and players have been spurred on by the fans' reaction and Manager Kevin Bond says everyone will be doing their utmost to make the weekend a memorable one.

Not only will Cherries fans be traveling in numbers, but they've been enabled to do so by a string of businesses subsidising cheap coach travel. The businesses have included Bournemouth Buzz, Parkcrest Construction, Bond & Co Estate Agents, S1 Sport, Begbies Traynor, Spire Technology, Schofields & St. Christophers Car Sales. Local Radio station 2CR FM have also got right behind the initiative.

At the start of the week Bond's men faced having to travel the 350 miles to Carlisle on the morning of the match. Thanks to Wayne Linter, Richard Osbourne, their business associates and VPs, the team's coach travel and hotel bill has been paid for. As this article is being written, the team are already on their way.

In thanking the fans for their tremendous support Kevin Bond said, "Some of our supporters have put their hands in their pockets which is a fantastic gesture. It's helped us be able to stay away on the Friday night and that's brilliant for us. We'll be doing the best we can to repay them with a result.

"They (supporters coach sponsors) don't have to do it, but they recognise the difference a bit of support can make and enabling as many fans as possible to make the trip. We'll have a lot of people behind one of the goals which is always appreciated by the players and they always comment on it when we go away from home.

"They know how difficult it is and the sacrifices people make. The early starts to get to games and the especially early start on Saturday. We're very grateful to the supporters and very grateful that somebody has helped with the cost of it."