Bournemouth player (1994-2002, 2004-2007): 313 games, 15 goals
Bournemouth coach (2008-2011, 2012-2020): 458 games, 194 wins, 95 draws, 169 losses
Centre-back Eddie Howe came through the ranks at Bournemouth and went straight to making over 300 appearances for the Cherries in two spells at the club.
With the club in financial trouble and at risk of exiting the Soccer League, Howe was manager in 2008, kept them on and then won promotion in 2009-10. After a spell at Burnley, two more promotions followed as Howe took Bournemouth into the lead in the first stage of their history.
BBC Recreation senior journalist Mark Mitchener said: “Eddie Howe the player was the crowd favorite but Eddie Howe the manager became a Bournemouth legend.
“Expectations were not the best when he took over as interim boss on the eve of Untouchable Week 2008. The Cherries have arguably been at their lowest point of all time – 23rd in League Two, Next management forced them to start the season with -17 affairs.
“Manager Jimmy Quinn’s tactics had alienated fans, while Darren Anderton opted to retire rather than put up with Quinn’s management style. Off the field it was no better, with relegation and/or financial oblivion a fear. realistic.
“From the outside it looked like Professor Howe was a convenient appointment, anyone already on the payroll and knowing the club well. The supporters knew him and were behind him, realizing how foolishly they were treated.
“But he not only kept Bournemouth, he won promotion the following season despite the transfer embargo. He returned after 18 months at Burnley to win two promotions in three seasons and take the Cherries to unthinkable heights of the Premier League with just six and a half years after the club was on death’s door, and he kept them there for five seasons.
“The word ‘membership legend’ does it some justice.”
