Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Loyal Nelson: Howe and Cherries players 'defying gravity'
DEAN Court old boy Tony Nelson a Cherries loyalist for more than 50 years believes the class of 2010 are defying gravity and he is desperate to see them finish the job.[LNB] Signed by Freddie Cox in 1956, Nelson played 195 league games for the club before going on to serve with distinction as assistant manager, chief scout and caretaker boss.[LNB] To celebrate his 80th birthday, the former centre-half enjoyed matchday hospitality and watched from the stands as Cherries moved a step closer to promotion by beating Hereford in midweek.[LNB] Despite the time that has passed since he gave 19 years of dedicated service to Cherries, Nelson is as keen as ever to see his club succeed.[LNB] The players have played with their hearts on their sleeves this year, Nelson told the Echo.[LNB] They are up there and they are doing the impossible. With the staff and the embargo, it is marvellous what Eddie and the players are doing.[LNB] The squad has been decimated with injuries at times. This lad (Howe) has got a good personality and the right sort of personality.[LNB] He doesn't go over the top with hype and he's got some lovely little touches, like getting in a huddle at the end of a game.[LNB] I think the players play for him and I think it's brilliant. I hope sincerely he gets promotion and I hope he's in a similar position in League One next year. He deserves it.[LNB] Having lived in the same house in Moordown since 1965, Nelson has continued to support his former employers by attending games as a season ticket holder.[LNB] And he will be there when Cherries host Darlington this afternoon, alongside his son-in-law and twin granddaughters, who he says are avid football fans.[LNB] Nelson, an estate agent prior to retirement who also managed in non-league with Poole Town and Bournemouth Poppies, added: I shall be there today in my usual seat try stopping me. I've got a season ticket and I don't miss a game. I look forward to it every week.[LNB] It's funny really that, after all these years, I've got a bond with the club. I was there for 19 years and you don't just walk away from something like that.[LNB] It's always been a happy club. In spite of all the turmoil, you can sense that the players love the club.[LNB] I'll always be associated with the club. It was my life for 19 years and you don't throw that away.[LNB] ¢ Nelson was presented with a signed ball on the Dean Court pitch prior to the Hereford game. He plans to donate it to a raffle to raise funds for Lewis-Manning Hospice.[LNB]
