AFC Bournemouth
Neil Moss and Stephen Purches have had a long and hugely-successful association with AFC Bournemouth, both as players and coaches.
Their contribution to the team – on and off the pitch at Vitality Stadium – has been pivotal to the club’s achievements in recent years.
Together with Simon Weatherstone and Steve Hard, they were part of Eddie Howe’s backroom staff as the Cherries memorably won promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
And their efforts helped the club remain in the top flight for five years, an accomplishment which would have been unthinkable when Moss, Purches and Hard first arrived on the scene.
Born, raised and schooled locally, aspiring young goalkeeper Moss progressed through the ranks at Dean Court, making his debut as a 17-year-old.
And but for the club’s perilous financial position in the early 1990s, he almost certainly would have doubled, if not trebled, the 211 appearances he made for the Cherries.
A lifelong Cherries supporter, Moss reluctantly joined neighbours Southampton in December 1993, his move ensuring the club would meet its monthly wage bill.
His return in 2002 coincided with an upturn in the team’s fortunes, Moss starring as the Cherries won promotion via the Division Three play-offs.
Following his retirement, Moss was appointed goalkeeping coach in June 2009, Howe bringing back his former team-mate when the Cherries were in League Two.
In his first season, Moss helped hone the talents of Shwan Jalal, who kept 19 clean sheets in 44 games as Howe’s team defied the odds to win promotion to League One.
He also developed a host of the club’s younger goalkeepers and worked with experienced internationals David James, Artur Boruc and Asmir Begovic.
Moss also had a major role in Aaron Ramsdale’s progression, his expert tuition helping the 23-year-old become a Premier League regular and member of the current England squad.
Purches joined an illustrious group of players to have been rewarded for their endeavours with a testimonial, the Cherries hosting his former club West Ham in 2013.
His association with the club stretches back more than 20 years, Purches signing in 2000 after impressing during a trial spell the previous season.
A dependable and diligent performer, Purches experienced the highs and lows of a play-off near miss, a relegation and a promotion in his first three seasons at the club.
He operated across defence and midfield, his versatility proving a real asset, especially during times when the purse strings were tight and delving into the transfer market was not an option.
While Moss was minding the net at the Millennium Stadium in 2003, Purches was scoring one of the finest team goals the venue has witnessed in the Cherries’ 5-2 win over the Imps.
Following three years with Leyton Orient, he returned in 2010 and took his appearance tally to 320 before a double fracture of his right leg forced him to hang up his boots in 2014.
He faced the adversity with the fortitude he displayed throughout his playing career before taking his first steps in coaching with the club’s development squad and under-21s.
Having helped nurture the talents of some of the club’s rising stars, Purches was promoted to the position of first-team coach in February 2017 and received the prestigious UEFA Pro Licence in 2018 before becoming assistant manager 12 months ago.
Physiotherapist Hard arrived at Dean Court in 2006, serving conscientiously six managers through contrasting periods in the club’s recent history.
During the early days, he operated as a one-man medical team and had to be extremely resourceful as he nursed players back to fitness.
Financial constraints and transfer embargoes impacted heavily on a small squad with Hard’s expertise proving crucial as the club struggled to keep the wolf from the door.
One of the unsung heroes of the Greatest Escape of 2008/09, Hard continued to work his medical magic as the club prospered and rose through the leagues.
Ensuring players returned from injury in tip-top condition, he became part of a blossoming department, something which would have been a pipe dream when he first joined.
Nicknamed Tinners, Weatherstone’s affiliation with the club started when he was appointed first-team coach in January 2014.
A popular member of the backroom staff, his infectious character and positive attitude contributed greatly to a progressive working environment.
Recently decorated with the UEFA Pro Licence, Weatherstone has been part of an experienced coaching team which is highly respected and regarded by players and staff alike.
