WARREN Cummings insisted it had been an "easy" decision to hang up his boots.

The former Cherries star, who played more than 300 games for the club between 2000 and 2012, made a 10-minute cameo during Saturday's 2-1 testimonial defeat to Italian giants AC Milan.

Cummings, who served AFC Wimbledon, Crawley, Poole Town and Havant & Waterlooville after leaving Dean Court in 2012, told the Echo: "I realised my body wasn't what it was and because of that, the enjoyment was starting to go because I wasn't contributing enough.

"I was playing on legacy rather than being deserving of a team place. I just thought 'enough is enough' and I was mentally ready for it.

"I have had a great career and I have enjoyed every second of it and I won't be one of those people who looks back and is bitter about not playing any more. I've had a great time and now I will do something else."

Cummings watched a Suso goal and Mbaye Niang penalty cancel out Lys Mousset's stunning long-range effort during a frantic three-minute period in the second half, while Jack Wilshere made his Cherries debut and Tyrone Mings returned from his injury nightmare.

Cummings said: "It was brilliant. I really enjoyed the day, although it was stressful getting to this stage with the organisational side of the game, but once the day came, I absolutely loved every minute of it.

"Watching the game was brilliant, but when I came on, I really didn't want it to end.

"I'm proud to have played a part in the club's history and proud of the people I've had around me in those teams. We are a piece in the jigsaw, but the club is in the Premier League now and it's time to move on from everything that has gone before."