Cherries Head of Youth Joe Roach has been rewarded with a new three year contract at AFC Bournemouth.

Four of last season's graduates successfully became professionals outlining the importance of the programme and influence of Roach and his coaching staff.

Sam Vokes broke into the first team within months of becoming an Under 18 player while trio Ryan Pryce, Joe Partington and Josh McQuoid all made the grade in the summer.

Starting from scratch in the summer of 2001, the youth team made steady progress in its first few years. Despite calls in some quarters to scrap the system a second time, Roach defied the critics and continued to develop the youth team programme at AFC Bournemouth.

By 2004 Roach had established a strong link with Brockenhurst College; a unique education opportunity and a youth system to begin rivalling the likes of Southampton and Portsmouth.

The scholarship scheme at AFC Bournemouth is now one of the best in the South West of England. In agreeing a new three year deal, Roach now has freedom to further develop the programme.

Roach said, "Last year was monumental in terms of elevation progression. People need to remember it's a development programme. Be it the players involved or the programme itself, it needs time to develop and I'm delighted to have been handed this opportunity.

"You've got to build up the system to make it a viable option for players to come here. That takes time and we're bearing the fruit of that."

"It would have been easy for me to have moved on, but there are 145 young players at this football club that the staff and I have worked very hard with. Hopefully now we can move forward and further develop players within this scheme.

"I've been fully committed to the job for the last seven years and due to the unique nature of the programme we run I've felt it important to try and take it to a firm platform. That was only going to happen with financial support which now looks more certain.

"Having met with Jeff and his new team, it's been an exciting and invigorating few days. The way forward looks extremely bright.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jeff, Steve and the team who have worked hard to move things forward. It's great that they are committed to working with the young players at this football club."

Cherries Chairman, Jeff Mostyn commented, "It's been a real pleasure to have worked with Joe over the last eighteen months. I see him as a valuable part of the team moving this football club forward. His hard work has not gone unnoticed and it's a fantastic that we're able to reward him with a new deal."

Roach plucked midfielder Joe Partington from Portsmouth and gave a second chance to a player who has since become a professional at AFC Bournemouth.

In paying tribute to Roach's impact on the new wave of pros, Partington said, "He's done a lot for us in the last few years and we might not be here now if it wasn't for him. He doesn't get enough credit for what he does and he's a major part of AFC Bournemouth."