AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth are delighted to announce the return of former captain Tommy Elphick who has joined the club’s coaching staff.
Elphick, who skippered the Cherries to two promotions, will be assisting development squad manager Shaun Cooper.
The defender was crowned supporters’ player of the year after leading the club to the Championship title and a place in the Premier League in 2014/15.
Elphick made 145 appearances for the Cherries after joining from Brighton in August 2012 and last month announced his retirement from playing.
He told afcb.co.uk: “I’m thrilled to be back at a club which has very fond memories for me. I loved my time as a player and can’t wait to get started as a coach.
“I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Neill Blake and Richard Hughes for identifying me as someone they want to invest in and nurture into becoming a coach. I’m really grateful for the opportunity.
“I’m also looking forward to working with my former teammate Simon Francis who is also starting on his own new journey with the football club.
“I’m delighted to be back at a club where I feel comfortable and where my stock always remained relatively high after I had left. I always had a great relationship with everybody around the club and the supporters.
“This position will give me a great platform to hopefully become a good coach and an asset to the club off the pitch in the future.
“I am starting an apprenticeship in the coaching world and am really looking forward to working with Shaun Cooper and Alan Connell, two very conscientious guys who have been responsible for bringing through a host of players.
“I know they are both very highly thought of and I am looking forward to learning from them and being by their side.
“They played under some great managers and have both found their way in coaching. You only have to see the players who have progressed to the first-team squad to see what a tremendous job is being done by the academy staff.
“Within the role, hopefully there will be an opportunity to watch the gaffer, Matt Wells, Gary O’Neil and Steve Fletcher and learn as much as I can from them as well.”
Elphick, who made more than 400 appearances during a career spanning 16 years, already holds his UEFA B coaching licence and is currently working towards obtaining his UEFA A licence.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told afcb.co.uk: “We are delighted to welcome Tommy back to the club and are looking forward to working with him again.
“As a player, he was an influential member of the squad which embarked on a memorable journey from League One to the Premier League.
“As captain, he always led by example, he gave his all on the pitch and was an inspiration to the players around him.
“Those qualities and traits will serve him well as he embarks on the next stage of his career and he has all the attributes to become an outstanding coach.
“I know he will become an asset to what is already a very successful and thriving area of the club and we wish him well in his new role.”
