THE hole left by Jason Pearce’s exit is of gargantuan proportions. There is no escaping that fact.

But, quite rightly, Cherries supporters yesterday took a moment to shut out the disappointment caused by their captain’s departure to wish him all the best.

The Dean Court faithful are desperate to see the huge void in Cherries’ defence filled. And quickly. But that did not stop many of them giving their blessing to the outgoing skipper.

Unlike some of his predecessors, Pearce is leaving with nothing other than thanks and good wishes ringing in his ears.

It is what he deserves. Sure, his loss is nothing short of a massive setback. But nobody – neither Pearce nor the club – can be criticised for the move which saw him rejoin Pompey yesterday.

Supporters already reeling from the exit of Joe Roach will be worried to have lost another of the club’s key figures in such a short space of time. But they must also acknowledge that if anybody had earned the chance to move up the ladder, it was Pearce. The centre-half gave Cherries four fine years and, in return, the club let him leave at a price they deemed acceptable.

With the situation threatening to rumble on until a deal was reached, this was the best – and only imaginable – outcome.

Pearce never gave anything other than 100 per cent from the moment he was signed from Portsmouth by Kevin Bond in 2007. With experience came more composure but, thankfully, he lost none of his brave and enthusiastic approach to the game.

A no-nonsense centre-half out of the old school, he didn’t need asking twice to do the tough work. A fearsome tackler, opponents soon discovered how he had earned the nickname of The Terminator.

Pearce relished the battle – and Cherries fans loved him for it. A colossus during the club’s recent rise, Eddie Howe and then Lee Bradbury could not have asked for a better leader as they looked to guide Cherries towards back-to-back promotions.

Up until his sending off in the play-off semi-final second leg at Huddersfield, Pearce had played every minute of every game. It was a remarkable effort.

But on the flip side for Cherries, their star man had quickly outgrown the third tier and he was ready for a move.

Cherries’ thoughts will immediately turn to how they are going to replace Pearce and boss Bradbury must be given some funds to find a suitable candidate. But despite the headache his transfer will cause, nobody should begrudge the 23-year-old his Championship chance.

Pearce leaves on amicable terms and, given what he put into his Cherries career, he warrants such a send-off.