CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell saw Cherries complete the latest stage of his grand plan for the club and then paid tribute to co-owner Maxim Demin.

Mitchell has overseen a remarkable transformation in the club’s fortunes – both on and off the pitch – since taking a controlling interest in June 2009.

He joined forces with Demin in October 2011 and an injection of funds from the Russian businessman has helped Cherries realise their Championship dream.

The Dean Court board was strengthened in November following the appointments of Mikhail Ponomarev and Alexey Panferov, both close associates of Demin.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “Maxim has been tremendously important and has helped me no end. His investment has been fantastic and his partners have been great.

“But more than the money and the input, I think being a friend from Russia, who has supported me without knowing 100 per cent my ambition, he has been so trustworthy and such a great person. Everybody connected with the club owes him a great debt of gratitude.”

Mitchell said Demin had decided against attending Saturday’s match against Carlisle as he was superstitious and had not wanted to jeopardise their winning streak. Mitchell said he had been in regular contact with Demin during the game and said he was “very happy”.

Cherries’ indifferent start to the season under former boss Paul Groves saw Mitchell come under verbal attack from supporters before the club moved to re-appoint Eddie Howe as manager. Following the final whistle on Saturday, chants of “There’s only one Eddie Mitchell” reverberated around Dean Court.

“As a chairman, I don’t think you can win either way,” said Mitchell. “That is part and parcel of the job and I have learned quickly that is the situation. I win by seeing the enjoyment on the faces of supporters and by knowing what Kings Park has been like in the past and how we are striving to improve it. I feel I have been rewarded for my efforts 10 times over.”

Mitchell, who was keen to praise Groves and Shaun Brooks for their efforts, added: “We have got to try to maintain our Championship status. If we can continue to build the support and the club, there is no reason why we can’t be in the Championship for a long period of time.”

Asked when work would commence on a new fourth stand, Mitchell replied: “We would like to get on with it and that is what we are aiming to do.

“We have got a lot of work to do and I am looking forward to it.”