Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Newson: Cherries promotion would top 1987
MARK Newson the man who captained Cherries during their finest hour is convinced promotion for Eddie Howe's class of 2010 would eclipse the heroics of 1987.[LNB] Newson was a mainstay as Cherries rewrote the record books by claiming the old Division Three championship under Harry Redknapp 23 years ago.[LNB] One of only four men to have lifted silverware for the club, he skippered Cherries into the second tier of the Football League for the first and only time in their history.[LNB] And while elevation under Howe would see Cherries climb from the fourth to the third flight, Newson still believes it would represent a greater achievement.[LNB] Now 49 and working as a coach educator for the David Beckham Academy in Essex, Newson was ever present during Cherries' memorable title-winning campaign.[LNB] He told the Daily Echo: Without doubt, if Eddie were to take them up this season, it would better our promotion.[LNB] I don't know the ins and outs but I do know there has been a transfer embargo and things must have been difficult for him.[LNB] Considering the conditions he has been working under, he has done a tremendous job to even get the team into contention.[LNB] When we went up in 1987, Harry was able to sign players for money at the right time. Eddie hasn't had that luxury and, if he had, I'm sure things may have been a little easier for him.[LNB] In mid-season, we brought in Willo (John Williams) and Richard Cooke and they both had a big influence on us.[LNB] Newson, who has been following Cherries' exploits via television highlights and through the club website, added: You can't pinpoint one thing that makes a successful promotion team.[LNB] You need to be fortunate with injuries and you need to have a decent backline. We were a solid unit with Gerry Peyton behind us. You also need to nick the odd goal now and again because you won't play well in every game. There were times when we were very average but still managed to come away with maximum points.[LNB] Apart from Dave Puckett, who got a bad injury at Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day, the bulk of the team played the majority of the games and that certainly helped. We didn't have too many injuries and we didn't have to make too many changes. That is a massive help when you're going for promotion.[LNB] Newson, who retired from the pro ranks in 1995, is hoping Cherries can sustain their promotion push during the run-in: I'm desperate to see them go up.[LNB] They always seem to be having financial problems and I don't like to see them struggling. I just want them to get promotion and move on. I'd love to see them mid-table in the Championship within a few years.[LNB]
