DOMINIC Solanke became the latest winner of the Daily Echo/Micky Cave AFC Bournemouth player of the year, with Daily Echo readers recognising the forwards’ goal-laden 2023/24 campaign.

Despite a tight race with midfield maestro Ryan Christie early on in voting, Solanke ended up as the clear winner with 30.72 per cent of the near 1,500 votes cast.

Cherries fans could not ignore Solanke’s 20 goals in 40 appearances as Bournemouth eased away from the relegation battle and are currently set for a top-half finish.

Christie earned 23.68 per cent of the vote, with supporters recognising the Scot’s performances in the middle of the park.

Lewis Cook, Illia Zabarnyi, and Antoine Semenyo were amongst the frontrunners, garnering 13.93 per cent, 13.64 per cent, and 10.19 per cent of the vote respectively.

There was also love for stalwart Adam Smith (2.62 per cent), Marcos Senesi (2.35 per cent), and Justin Kluivert (1.39 per cent).

Solanke becomes the first striker to win the award since Cherries favourite Brett Pitman in 2008/09.

In total, only seven frontmen have earned the accolade out of 38 iterations of the award, with Solanke following in the footsteps of Pitman, James Hayter, Warren Feeney, Steve Fletcher, Steve Cotterill, and Luther Blissett.

Daily Echo/Micky Cave AFC Bournemouth player of the season award winners:

  • 1986/87 – Gerry Peyton
  • 1987/88 – Paul Morrell
  • 1988/89 – Luther Blissett
  • 1989/90 – Shaun Teale
  • 1990/91 – Shaun Teale
  • 1991/92 – Kevin Bond
  • 1992/93 – Mark Morris
  • 1993/94 – Steve Cotterill
  • 1994/95 – Steve Fletcher
  • 1995/96 – Matty Holland
  • 1996/97 – Ian Cox
  • 1997/98 – Eddie Howe
  • 1998/99 – Eddie Howe
  • 1999/2000 – Claus Jorgensen
  • 2000/01 – Wade Elliott
  • 2001/02 – Warren Feeney
  • 2002/03 – Carl Fletcher
  • 2003/04 – James Hayter
  • 2004/05 – Garreth O’Connor
  • 2005/06 – Neil Young
  • 2006/07 – Darren Anderton
  • 2007/08 – Danny Hollands
  • 2008/09 – Jason Pearce
  • 2009/10 – Brett Pitman
  • 2010/11 – Jason Pearce
  • 2011/12 – Marc Pugh
  • 2012/13 – Tommy Elphick
  • 2013/14 – Simon Francis
  • 2014/15 – Harry Arter
  • 2015/16 – Simon Francis
  • 2016/17 – Steve Cook
  • 2017/18 – Nathan Ake
  • 2018/19 – Ryan Fraser
  • 2019/20 – Aaron Ramsdale
  • 2020/21 – Asmir Begovic
  • 2021/22 – Mark Travers
  • 2022/23 – Jefferson Lerma
  • 2023/24 – Dominic Solanke