Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Russian business sponsors pre-season event
CHERRIES have revealed details of an inter-European pre-season tournament at Dean Court next month with a prize fund of more than £150,000 up for grabs.[LNB] The club has today announced it will be hosting a four-team knockout competition involving English and European clubs over the weekend of July 16 and 17.[LNB] Details of the teams participating in the EC Group Cup, which has been named after its Russian sponsors Energy Consulting Group, will be released on Friday, along with further information including the draw and ticket prices.[LNB] But Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell reported that the prize money on offer, which the club revealed had been donated by Energy Consulting Group, had attracted some very impressive teams.[LNB] Speaking to the Daily Echo last night, Mitchell said: We are going to make it a big event and it is something which the people at Energy Consulting Group have encouraged us to do, and we are more than pleased to hold the event at Dean Court.[LNB] We have got some associated friends with Energy Consulting Group and they have encouraged us to take the tournament. They are putting up the prize fund and covering everybody's expenses.[LNB] In a press release issued by the club, Mitchell added: The EC Group Cup provides us with a massive opportunity to showcase Bournemouth as a top footballing destination.[LNB] We aim to make the weekend a festival of football, with events and attractions for all the family, as well as the exciting action on the pitch.[LNB] Energy Consulting Group chairman Michael Ponomarev said: The aim of the EC Group Cup is to create a real buzz on the south coast and offer our chosen football clubs a chance to participate in competitive matches before their seasons start.[LNB] I am sure that our excellent partnership with AFC Bournemouth will provide the supporters with a tournament to remember, and it may even be the beginning of an annual competition.[LNB] Meanwhile, Cherries boss Lee Bradbury believes the event will offer his men valuable match practice ahead of the League One campaign.[LNB] He said: Steve Fletcher and I are really looking forward to what will be a fun but testing addition to our pre-season schedule.[LNB] The EC Group Cup will provide the team with a unique and competitive challenge, a trophy, and something to really fight for at a time when most other teams will be going through the motions.[LNB] I can't think of a better way to prepare for the season ahead.[LNB] Energy Consulting is an audit and consulting organisation and the company is using the tournament to celebrate its 10th anniversary.[LNB] The tournament format will see two semi-finals on Saturday, July 16, with a final and third-place play-off the following day.[LNB]
