FORMER Cherries heroes Eddie Howe and Steve Lovell are mourning the death of their mother Annie.

Howe, 34, now manager at Burnley FC, was absent from his team’s game Saturday after the sudden news.

Annie raised two sons to play for AFC Bournemouth. Howe played with the club from 1992-2002 and from 2004-07, and was also its manager from 2009 until he left to take up the post at Burnley last year.

Steve Lovell, 31, who is engaged to pop singer Amy MacDonald, played with AFC Bournemouth from 1998-99 and 2010-11. Both sons grew up in Verwood.

Burnley FC announced the death of its manager’s mother. Players wore black arm bands and observed two minutes’ silence before Saturday’s match.

Captain Chris McCann said the news was a “massive blow” and added: “Our thoughts are with the gaffer at this time.”