Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Great Escape hero hits comeback trail
FORMER Cherries star Rob Murray is planning to embark on a sponsored comeback in a bid to raise funds for the Dorset club. Murray, who was capped by Scotland under-21s, was an influential figure in Cherries' original Great Escape under Mel Machin in 1995. A former Cherries trainee, he made more than 170 appearances for the club between 1992 and 1997 before his playing career was cruelly cut short by injury. Now 35, Murray is hoping to regain his fitness with a view to possibly making a playing return and to help swell the Dean Court coffers at the same time. He is in the process of setting up a website to promote his challenge and is hoping the club's supporters will follow his progress over the summer. Murray is targeting a run-out in one of Cherries' pre-season friendlies and has already spoken to boss Eddie Howe about the prospect of again pulling on the club's colours. This is a bit of fun, stressed Murray. I would love to play again and would love to be fit enough. I believe I could play, it is just whether the knees will let me! To be honest, I am more concerned about trying to do my bit to help the club. I went to watch the Barnet game a few weeks ago and found out quite a lot about their financial situation. I racked my brain trying to think of an idea of how I could help and someone asked me whether I was planning a comeback. The seed was sewn and it developed from there. Murray is keen to stress his scheme would see supporters sponsor him in the form of donations that would not be repaid, regardless of whether he makes his comeback. He added: If I don't make it, they will still have supported the club. I'm just trying to drum up awareness and keep the club's financial situation on the front burner through the summer. People can follow it through the website and look at other people's challenges as well. I'm hoping to produce videos and interviews with ex-players. Social networking is huge so, hopefully, we could reach a big market. I also want to try to do some events over the summer to keep the momentum going into next season. People can click on the sponsor-donate button and that will take them straight to the club website where they can donate. The club has just opened an excellent new gym and I am working with their personal trainers. The facilities are excellent. For more information on Murray's challenge, visit afcbchallengeyourself.com