Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Fletcher: Cherries board doing things the right way
STEVE Fletcher last night insisted it was business as usual for Cherries' stars in the face of the club's latest financial worries.[LNB] Following news of another winding-up petition issued against the club by HM Revenue and Customs, off-field events have once again taken centre stage at Dean Court.[LNB] Chairman Eddie Mitchell last week took the unprecedented step of opening the club's books to display the size of the challenge facing the cash-strapped League Two outfit.[LNB] But despite admitting the club's money worries were a concern, Fletcher said Cherries' players were not being distracted from their bid for promotion.[LNB] The club captain, Cherries' record appearance-maker, is in the perfect position to comment on such sagas. Since joining the club in July 1992, Fletcher has seen it all from receivership in 1997 to last season's miraculous Great Escape.[LNB] Of course it's worrying for the supporters it's their club and it's my club, the popular 37-year-old told the Echo. It's the players' livelihoods and anybody who is involved at the club.[LNB] But I do believe the people we've got in charge are doing things the right way.[LNB] They've got the club organised, which it hasn't been for years since I can remember. It's going forward in the right way.[LNB] We've got every confidence things will be okay but there's only so much they can do.[LNB] Unfortunately, a lot of the debt is to the tax man and that's why it's probably been publicised the way it has.[LNB] But it doesn't affect the lads on the field. On the field, we're focused and we're concentrating on the job in hand.[LNB] The rest of the people the chairman and people working behind the scenes are doing everything they can and more to make sure that we have a club.[LNB] In last Friday's Daily Echo, Mitchell revealed that Cherries' outstanding liabilities totalled £846,924 an amount he reported had been trimmed from £1.78million since he took control.[LNB] Fletcher added: It's the first time in a long time that I've known the football club come out and explain to the supporters exactly how the club stands.[LNB] Now they've been told everyone knows where we stand and I think with Eddie Mitchell and the people behind him, we've got more confidence than in anyone we've ever had in the past.[LNB] ¢ Cherries yesterday officially launched the AFC Bournemouth Dedication Scheme. For more information visit the club shop.[LNB]
