Buxton - My role in title race

Saturday marks the fifth anniversary of Bournemouth's Championship trophy lift at the Valley, while over on the others side of the capital, Buxton was inadvertently helping his former side's quest for silverware, his Sheffield Wednesday side foiling Watford at the last.

Buxton joined the Cherries on loan from Portsmouth in January 2003 and made 17 appearances as Sean O’Driscoll’s team qualified for the League Two play-offs.

But the Isle of Wight-born defender was ineligible to feature in the final seven games of the season as league rules restricted his stay to a maximum of three months.

Buxton was left to kick his heels as the Cherries reclaimed their place in League One at the first attempt after recording a 5-2 win over Lincoln in the play-off final at the Millennium Stadium.

Another successful loan spell at Dean Court followed in 2003/04 before Buxton reunited with his former Portsmouth boss Tony Pulis at Stoke City in December 2004.

He spent four years in the Potteries before signing for Sheffield Wednesday in January 2009, enjoying the most fruitful days of his playing career during his time with the Owls.

Buxton played a starring role in their 2011/12 League One promotion-winning campaign and, on their return to the Championship, he was voted player of the season and played his part in the Owls cementing their place in the Championship over the next three seasons.

In two of his final three appearances for Wednesday in 2014/15, Buxton played a part in the destiny of the title as Eddie Howe’s Cherries pipped Slavisa Jokanovic’s Watford on a dramatic last day.

Buxton had an eventful game when the Owls visited Vitality Stadium in the Cherries’ penultimate home game, a stoppage-time penalty preventing Howe’s team from returning to the summit.

On a sweltering April afternoon, Buxton supplied the cross for Kieran Lee to head the visitors into a 36th-minute lead before he was beaten in the air by Yann Kermorgant for the Cherries’ leveller.

Although Matt Ritchie’s stunning 25-yarder appeared to have won the day for the hosts, who had Simon Francis sent off for a second booking, late drama saw Wednesday equalise.

Referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot after Adam Smith had felled Atdhe Nuhiu, with Chris Maguire making no mistake as honours finished even in a pulsating contest.

A fortnight later, Buxton was again involved as one of the closest title races in history went down to the wire, the Cherries prevailing after rivals Watford had been pegged back by Wednesday.

Having triumphed 3-0 against Charlton, Howe’s team looked destined to finish as runners-up with the Hornets leading 1-0 heading into injury time at Vicarage Road.

But Nuhiu’s late equaliser ensured the champagne corks would start popping at The Valley, the Cherries eventually finishing a point clear of Watford to claim their first title since 1987.

Buxton, who went on to play for Rotherham and Bolton before hanging up his boots in 2017, recalled the events of both games.

He said: “I remember Bournemouth and Watford both had a lot riding on those two games.

“When you’re mid-table and are playing a team fighting to go up, you want to do well against them and show you’re good enough to mix it with them.

“That was what it was all about in both games. We wanted to prove we were a decent team who could challenge anyone.

“You have to enjoy every game, that’s what you’re in it for. Even if you can’t get promoted or relegated, players always give everything.

“Against Bournemouth, I whipped in a cross for Kieran Lee to score and then got beaten by Yann Kermorgant at a corner.

“I also remember challenging Callum Wilson and thinking maybe it should have been a penalty but I got away with it – fortunately there was no VAR!

“I remember Eddie Howe saying to one of our coaches that he didn’t think I had that whipped cross in me so I wasn’t happy about that!

“Their players were very good technically playing in between the lines but they also had pace in behind which made it really difficult for defenders.

“When we played Watford, I thought their players were quite nervous. They weren’t quite at the level they usually were. I got the sense they didn’t play their best football against us.

“After we had scored, we were on the break and I’m pretty certain we would have scored again because their goalkeeper had come up for a corner.

“But some of their fans had run on the pitch and I think the referee blew the whistle a bit early. As there were people on the pitch, he didn’t really have much of a choice.

“I think we would have nicked a win against them had it not been for that. It was nice to see Bournemouth win the Championship and stay in the Premier League for as long as they have.”

Discussing his two loan spells with the Cherries, Buxton said: “I thought the rule about only being able to stay for three months was ridiculous. It didn’t really help young players like myself so that was disappointing in my first spell.

“It was great to see them go up in the play-offs but disappointing for me to miss the last few games.

“A lot of the playing staff then are now on the coaching staff, people like Jason Tindall, Steve Fletcher, Warren Cummings, Gareth Stewart, Neil Moss and Steve Purches.

“It is a lot different now to how it was. They didn’t have a stand behind one goal and the training ground was at a school. But as a young lad going in, you could tell they had a good bond.

“A few years later, they had a turbulent time and almost went out of the league. If someone had said they would be playing in the Premier League a few years later, you wouldn’t have believed them.

“It needs a lot of things to come together but it has been phenomenal. They have been fortunate to have had Eddie managing them with all his experience of the club.

“The fit between the coaching staff and relationship with the fans has stood them in good stead. A lot of hard work has gone into the club and they have had the finances in place. When it all comes together, you’ve got a chance but it’s still a massive achievement.”

Buxton is now a human experience consultant and coach, based in Manchester and working for Lit Within which specialises in healthcare, educational, brand and management consulting.

“I work privately with players, managers and coaches on performance and well-being,” said Buxton.

“At Lit Within, we work with companies who need to improve the performance and well-being of their staff.

“I wouldn’t call myself a life coach but, in essence, I guess you could say that. I’m an HX consultant and coach and it’s based on a particular type of consultancy and coaching.

“I started training while I was at Sheffield Wednesday about seven years ago. I did my training in London and had a couple of fantastic mentors who were coaches within sport and business so was well on the way while I was still playing. It’s different to playing but I enjoy it equally.”

This feature originally appeared in the Watford edition of the club's MATCHDAY programme in January.