AFC Bournemouth
Former AFC Bournemouth defender Rio Ferdinand has been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame this afternoon.
The 44-year-old is best known for a trophy laden spell at Manchester United, where he won six Premier League titles in 455 appearances.
He also turned out for Leeds United and West Ham United in the top flight and he enjoyed a formative loan spell at the Cherries in 1996/97, playing 11 times.
Ferdinand was elected to the Hall of Fame following an online public vote and input from the Premier League Awards Panel, having been put on a shortlist of 15 players.
The retired defender admitted a “perfect” loan spell at the Cherries laid the foundations for him to become one of England’s finest footballers.
Speaking to afcb.co.uk previously, Ferdinand said: “I always look back with fond memories on my time here.
“Mel Machin was fantastic for me and gave me a ridiculous amount of confidence. He allowed me to flourish and to understand what it was like to play men’s football and what it meant to fans on a Saturday.
“It took everything back to reality and really stripped it back. I would wash my own kit on a Monday and we would train in the local park.
“Things like that really kept you grounded and made you think "I appreciate where I am but I know I don’t want to have to play at this level”.
“That wasn’t being disrespectful because it was hard. It made me realise where I was and I knew I was lucky. I knew I needed to work hard to remain there or go on to better things so it was perfect in all aspects for me.”
Ferdinand debuted in a 1-1 draw against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road where Ian Cox, who now works for the club’s Community Sports Trust, was on target for the visitors.
He helped the Cherries register three wins and five draws during his ten league games and returned to West Ham with Machin’s team six places higher than when he had arrived.
“Ian Cox, Jason Brissett and John Bailey were the three players who looked after me the most,” added Ferdinand. “And Russell Beardsmore as well.
“Coxy was a great fella and a great player. It was no surprise to see him go on to play higher, he was brilliant and as quick as you like.
“He really helped me through the Blackpool game. Udo Onwere was one of the Blackpool subs and is now my lawyer which is crazy!
“I remember that game for a number of different reasons. It was my first introduction to proper men’s football and I loved it. I loved every minute of my stay.
“The manager showed great confidence by putting me in straight away. At the time, I was low on confidence and wasn’t playing particularly well in the reserves for West Ham.
“He saw something in me and gave me the chance and it immediately instilled confidence in me.
“Fortunately, I played quite well in my first game and the manager started called me ‘Class’. It was quite embarrassing in front of the team. He didn’t call me Rio, he used to say “hey, Class, how you doing?” For a young player coming into senior football, that was amazing.”
