Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Proud dad Purches didn't even have to miss training
PROUD father Stephen Purches this week successfully completed the first leg of his eagerly-awaited double after avoiding an unwanted fixture clash.[LNB] Purches had been on tenterhooks as wife Jilly had been due to give birth to their second child on November 20 the same day as Cherries visit his former club Leyton Orient.[LNB] Essex-born Purches spent three years with Orient, the club he had watched as a child, and was also team captain at Brisbane Road.[LNB] But the prospect of missing out on a date with his old team-mates was put to bed following the safe arrival of Harry Purches on Wednesday morning at Poole Hospital.[LNB] I wouldn't have wanted to have missed the game but, as any father would tell you, I wouldn't have wanted to have missed the birth either, said Purches.[LNB] Our other son Ben is two years and three months old and it was one of the happiest days of my life when he was born and we have just had another day to remember.[LNB] Not only did he come along when I wasn't in Orient, but he arrived mid-morning and on my day off so I didn't have to miss any training![LNB] Purches, who left Cherries for Orient in 2007, returned to Dean Court for a second spell in the summer after falling out of favour under boss Russell Slade.[LNB] However, a nagging rib injury has restricted him to just seven appearances this season, the problem flaring up after he had forced his way into the starting line-up.[LNB] His introduction as a second-half substitute against Tranmere on Saturday was his first taste of action since the JPT clash against Torquay on August 31.[LNB] Purches added: It had been a while since I had played but I have been training and involved with the squad for the past month.[LNB] In some senses, it has been good because it has given me an opportunity to make sure everything has healed as it had been causing me problems.[LNB] There is never a good time to be injured and all injuries are frustrating. But you can't let it get to you and have got to do everything right to make sure it gets better.[LNB] Fortunately, everything seems to be heading in the right direction. I've been doing a lot of strengthening work and am feeling fit. I'm pleased to be involved and want to start pushing for a place.[LNB] I know it won't be easy to get back in though because we've got a very competitive squad and everyone is vying for a place, both on the pitch and on the bench.[LNB] It just shows how far we have come. The manager knows he can rely on people to come in and do a good job and that is going to be key this season.[LNB] I've been around long enough to know that things can change quickly and everybody needs to be ready to come in to do a job for the team.[LNB]
