TODAY marks 30 years since Steve Fletcher began his journey with Cherries after signing from Hartlepool in 1992 – a partnership that continues to this day, with the legendary striker now a coach in Scott Parker’s set up.

There have been many faces in that time, including former Cherries captain Russell Beardsmore, who joined the club a year after Fletcher moved to the south coast.

Beardsmore, who like Fletcher, finished his career at the Vitality Stadium, also continued his association with Cherries after his playing days, working for the club’s community trust.

Now involved with the Manchester United Foundation, Beardsmore was somewhat shocked when reminded how long ago it was when Fletcher’s association with Cherries began.

He told the Daily Echo: “I came through in his second year for the club, when I signed under Tony Pulis.

“I spent nine years with him and I know him still now.

“Really good servant for the club, Steve, really good personality and I didn’t realise it was as long as that.

“When you say it like that, wow.

“I don’t get back to the club as much as I’d like to, I was fortunate that before the lockdown I went up for the day and watched training under Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall, spent the day and had lunch with my son and that.”

One of the more memorable matches Beardsmore recalls featuring alongside Fletcher was the Football League Trophy final against Grimsby in 1998.

Beardsmore led Cherries out at Old Wembley, coming off at half-time in extra time, whilst Fletcher played the full 112 minutes, with the match ending via golden goal when Grimsby’s Wayne Burnett made it 2-1.

Reflecting on the game, Beardsmore mentioned: “I had been injured for a while – I probably shouldn’t have played, I had problems with my back and hamstrings, but I was desperate to play.

“We lost on the golden goal to Grimsby, who were the best team in the league by a mile that season.

“It was with Fletch, and Eddie Howe, he was in that team – that was a team, with Fletch playing up front.”

Those injuries eventually forced Beardsmore to retire at the end of the 1997-98 campaign, seeing the former Manchester United man call time on his career at the relatively tender age of 29.

“When you’re playing, your playing time goes by too quick I think,” reflected the now 53-year-old.

“Before I got injured, I had a really good five year spell where I missed at most one game a season.

“I think I ended up finishing at 29 which was very early, after missing only a few games in a tough League One where people are kicking lumps out of you!”