AS a referee, Danny McDermid rarely got applause at AFC Bournemouth but he got an ovation on Saturday thanks to his army uniform.

He returned from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan only a week before the game and was one of 10 servicemen introduced to 8,000-strong crowd before the match against Charlton.

He last refereed at Dean Court when the Cherries played Dagenham and Redbridge earlier in the season.

Logistics expert Major McDermid and the other servicemen enjoyed a complimentary meal and free tickets – and he received a glass ‘thank you’ plaque.

The Aldershot resident told the Echo: “The plaque was a beautiful surprise.

“So many people said thanks today that it’s been humbling – I don’t think I would have got the same response in my referee’s uniform!”

The 10 servicemen included two Poole-based Royal Marine Reserves who completed six-month tours last autumn.

Lance Corporal Martin Whittle, 38, an IT worker from Ringwood, said: “It felt a bit uncomfortable because we are not used to this kind of thing but it’s nice to find out people appreciate what we do.”

Marine JJ Breen, 28, from Bos-combe, who is studying chiropractics, was deployed with 45 Commando. There were also six members of the Poole and Dorchester-based C-Company of the TA battalion 6 Rifles.

Lance Corporal Andy Stoddart, 32, from Tuckton in Bournemouth, said: “The moment when the crowd applauded us made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.”

Lance Corporal Connor Minshall, 19, from Weymouth was deployed with 1 Rifles last summer, doing one or two patrols a day with the ever present threat of Improvised Explosive Devices.

He said: “It has been nice to get a bit of public recognition because we only usually get that with the odd freedom parade.”

Cherries fan and Poole mum Gayle Hope organised the event with Cherries director Dave Roberts, with help from Dave Allison at the football league and Rob Ellis at the Army FA.