ONCE upon a time... The ongoing AFC Bournemouth takeover saga has already included a number of intriguing - and often far-fetched - twists and turns.

It has had its audience enthralled and on the edge of their seats as it has lurched from one incredulous scene to the next, with the scriptwriters working overtime.

The unlikely duo of Jeff Mostyn and Steve Sly have continued to fill the role of the pantomime horse, Mostyn the head and front legs, Sly bringing up the rear.

"He's behind you!" came the cry as intermediary Marc Jackson entered stage left to join the Mostyn/Sly consortium.

"Oh no he isn't!" retorted Mostyn after their alliance with Jackson had collapsed due to contractual reasons.

"No, he's actually behind us," thought EU-UK Limited before their short-lived interest also bit the dust as Jackson exited, somewhat theatrically, stage right.

And then came the perceived white knight in shining armour, the mystery investor whose consortium astutely had the backing of the AFC Bournemouth supporters' trust.

As the interval loomed large, Mostyn and Sly were again cast as the evil wizards. Boo, hiss.

By all accounts, the unnamed interested party was worth millions and was just what Cherries fans had been waiting for.

But it proved another false dawn for the long-suffering Dean Court faithful and again there was no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

And while other possible suitors have also purportedly been waiting in the wings, they were curiously conspicuous by their absence in the club's hour of need.

Although events may have captivated the Bournemouth public, this parochial story line is hardly blockbuster material and the plot would require a dramatic final act to get them through the box office.

And who else but King Harold Redknapp of Sandbanks to provide a more sensational twist? Fee! Fi! Fo! Fum!

Picture the scene.

The jubilant Portsmouth manager climbs the steps to the Royal Box at Wembley to collect the FA Cup. Victory over Cardiff caps the finest season in Pompey's history and earns Redknapp legendary status at Fratton Park.

Then, as he holds court with the press, Redknapp reveals his plans for the future. Stunned and open-mouthed, hardened hacks are gobsmacked.

Having taken Pompey as far as he can, Redknapp announces his decision to return to his first love and the club that helped him make his name.

Pompey fans are reduced to tears as their leader quits at the top, while Cherries supporters line the streets of Holdenhurst Road to greet the second coming of the club's prodigal son on an open-top bus.

Reunited with his close friend Kevin Bond, it is both the dream ticket and the missing link.

Harry provides the vital funds to help Mostyn complete the takeover and then assumes the role of director of football. The deal is clinched when Harry meets Jeffery.

A frantic summer rebuilding process sees Cherries assemble a squad which takes League Two by storm.

A 15-point deficit is wiped out by mid-September before Redknapp and Bond parade the championship trophy ahead of a sell-out Dean Court clash against Morecambe at the end of March.

...And they all lived happily ever after.