Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Purches' father knows where his loyalties lie
STEPHEN Purches has fond memories of Brisbane Road but there are no doubts where his loyalties lie and those of his Orient-supporting father.[LNB] The Cherries utility man returns to his old stomping ground when Eddie Howe's men travel to the capital tomorrow (3pm).[LNB] Purches, who returned to Dean Court in the summer after leaving Leyton Orient, spent three seasons with the Os and was also captain during his spell with the London club.[LNB] The 30-year-old has long-standing links with Orient, having watched them as a child after first being taken to a match by his father Rob at the age of seven.[LNB] But Purches will be as determined as ever to see Cherries emerge victorious and he thinks his dad will also be rooting for Howe's high-flying side.[LNB] My dad's an Orient fan and it was the first professional game I went to see when I was about seven, he explained.[LNB] It has fond memories for me when I was a kid. It was good to go there and play for them.[LNB] But my loyalties are firmly with Bournemouth and I'm loving my time being back here.[LNB] When asked if he thought his dad would be backing Cherries come tomorrow afternoon, Purches replied: He'll definitely be in our camp.[LNB] It was a proud moment for him, the time when I was there, but he's my biggest supporter so he'll be behind us.[LNB] Essex-born Purches is predicting a decent spectacle in the League One clash. Orient are in good form, having lost just twice in their past nine league matches, while striker Alex Revell will be a man to watch after netting 10 goals this term and six in four outings.[LNB] Purches said: It's always a different experience when you go back to a former club, like getting changed in a different changing room and things like that that you are used to.[LNB] I'm sure it will be a bit strange but it should be a good game.[LNB] Orient have come into form in the past few games and we want to push on up the league ourselves. It makes for a good game.[LNB] They had a big change-over in the summer with personnel and things like that, so it has probably taken a bit of time to gel.[LNB] But they seem to have put together a bit of a run. By all accounts, when I spoke to a couple of the lads, they've been playing okay.[LNB] Asked if there was anything to prove returning to a former club, Purches added: No, I don't think you go back with anything to prove. But you want to go there and come out with a win. That's a given.[LNB]
