IT was the hat-trick that Steve Robinson could well have done without.

The former Cherries star, who tonight returns to Dean Court with Luton, is now something of an expert when it comes to football finance.

But despite experiencing no fewer than three major crises during his career, Robinson has no plans to become an insolvency practitioner.

The 33-year-old's first taste of meltdown came during his six-year stay on the South Coast when Cherries were put into receivership in 1997.

And having already gone through administration with Luton once, Robinson again got that sinking feeling just two months ago.

Speaking to the Daily Echo last night, he said: "I was on my way back from international duty with Northern Ireland. We had just played Spain and I was buzzing.

"I got a phone call from the Luton manager to tell me the club had gone into administration. He said he wasn't sure what it meant, but as I'd experienced it before, I knew it was going to mean trouble.

"I got back to find us bottom of the league following the 10-point deduction and there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the club because nobody really knew what was happening.

"It wasn't until pay day that it really hit everybody because there were no wages. We took a 100 per cent deferral for six weeks and then got 50 per cent of our December wages.

"We're about eight weeks down on money and it has been a tough time for everybody, especially over Christmas."

Despite their problems, Robinson says administration "galvanised" the players, with the Hatters suffering just one defeat during a 10-match run between the end of November and the start of January.

The sequence included a memorable 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the FA Cup, with defeat in the replay at Anfield seven days ago sandwiched between league reverses against Swansea and Orient.

Robinson added: "You try to put it out of your mind and playing a game probably helps because you're not worrying about whether you're going to get paid or whether you might still have a job.

"It's difficult because you don't want to get injured because you could be out of a job completely if the club goes under so people can't help but think about that when they're going in for tackles.

"A couple of the lads were sold and the loan players had to go back but I don't think it was as bad as some people made out.

"All the boys stuck together and we went on a good run. We got a bit lucky with the Liverpool tie and that should see us through the next couple of months."

Robinson, Cherries' 12th all-time leading goalscorer, bagged 60 goals in 286 appearances for the club between October 1994 and May 2000 when he moved to Preston for £375,000.

The Ulsterman was on the books during the dark days of receivership in 1997 - a period he remembers only too well: "We were due to go to Bristol City and Mel Machin gave us a choice as to whether or not we played.

"We hadn't been paid for a long time but we all chose to play, mainly for Mel, the club and the supporters. Nobody wanted to see the club go under so we all stuck together.

"The rest is history. We went to Wembley the following season and Mel went on to build a really good team. They were great times."

Robinson added: "It's a shame to see Bournemouth struggling because I thought they were going places.

"They had a new stadium and are a decent team but it's always going to be a selling club unless they get a buyer in who can fund the losses.

"I hope somebody comes in to sort them out."