TOMMY Elphick is genuinely choked reading through the thank you messages from those who call him a ‘hero’.

“It’s crazy. I feel immense pride. It’s been crazy. I’ve received so many nice messages.

“I can only stress that to me, this is success.

“Don’t get me wrong, the trophies and everything that comes with the trophies, the accolades, the promotions, everything achieved on the pitch, they will never ever be forgotten but these messages and the support I’ve had from the fans here, to have made that kind of impact, is something I will never forget.”

The Cherries legend this week completed a move to Championship side Aston Villa. But though the Cherries captain may have hung up his red and black shirt for good, he has left an indelible mark on the community – and not just for leading Cherries into the Championship and Premier League for the first time in its history.

Far from the modern stereotype of a Premier League footballer as you could possibly get, Tommy has selflessly spent countless hours helping others less fortunate than him during four years with the football club– and now it’s their turn to say ‘thank you’ to their hero.

From a football mad six-year-old boy who got the surprise of his life when Tommy unexpectedly picked him up from school and a 10-year-old schoolboy battling leukaemia to countless sick children and adults he has helped through their most testing times with impromptu hospital or hospice visits, the footballer has captured hearts across the county.

Kerry Brown, whose 10-year-old son Felix was diagnosed with leukaemia in January and became an internet sensation after launching a humorous blog to come to terms with his diagnosis said there were not enough words to thank the footballer.

“Tommy has been a wonder to Felix. He took Felix under his wing when we went to watch a training session by sweeping him off his feet and taking him with him to the dressing room to meet the lads and he’s always gracious and stops for photos and a chat.

“Team Brown will really miss him. He’s been a source of comfort and inspiration for Felix, a role model in its truest sense.”

Football fan Dan Hall, 28, said Tommy is in regular contact with the dad-of-one after visiting him twice in hospital – once after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and again after his first round of chemotherapy and believes he gave him strength to fight the illness.

“I was speechless for at least 30 seconds and I said ‘Tommy! What are you doing here?’ He was with me for an hour, two hours. Tommy is a true gentleman who has a heart of gold and a lot of time for the fans who support him. He’s very genuine and very down to earth and proves though he is a professional footballer, he is still a human and no different.

“Being diagnosed with leukaemia out of the blue was a real shock but Tommy’s visit made me feel really special. He helped me massively in lifting my spirits and making me believe in myself at my lowest of low. Some people just know how to bring out the best in others and Tommy is that person on and off the pitch. Whoever is Bournemouth’s next captain has massive boots to fill.”

Sky Sports correspondent Mark McAdam said Tommy gave up his time to surprise six-year-old Toby McKinlay by picking up the football-mad youngster from school for a children’s show.

He said: “In all the years I’ve reported on sport I’ve never met a player who goes above and beyond to give back to the fans and the local community. He’s a genuinely decent authentic guy.”

And the footballer’s good nature doesn’t end there. He also visited Julia’s House hospice in Corfe Mullen where he chatted, signed autographs and played football and X-box with children with life-limiting conditions.

Louise McKenna, lead nurse at the hospice, said: “He is such a lovely chap and will be sorely missed by everyone at Julia’s House.”

The 28-year-old defender believes spending time with fans especially those taking on the biggest battle of their lives is the least he can do.

He explains: “I know we haven’t got a massive history as a club but it’s a history to be proud of. At the end of the day the community is what kept the club going at times of need so the least I could do, or any of the boys could do, is give up a bit of time.”

Tommy, who cut short his honeymoon with his new wife Hannah to finalise his transfer to Villa Park, said: “I think in life, time is precious. I’ve found out this week that life and football moves very quickly and you can never take it for granted. To give some time to people who are perhaps struggling or perhaps not in as fortunate position as yourself, that’s priceless.

“People like Dan and Felix, they are just as inspirational to us as we are to them. The fight they have to go through and the courage they have to show when times can be really hard, that’s something we draw inspiration from. You come away from meeting incredible people like that and you realise how lucky you are and how precious life is.”

So where does his philanthropic streak come from?

“You’re moulded by your parents. Your upbringing is what gives you your grounding and your schooling so I have a huge amount I owe to them. I’m sure they’re just as proud reading the messages as I am.

“It’s been an absolute whirlwind of two weeks where it’s all been going on – married, honeymoon, then I’m back here doing this! I have felt every single emotion.

“I’ve been sad, I’ve been upset, I’ve been buzzing but I’m delighted to be joining such a big club. The overall feeling is pure happiness because without this football club and the fans I wouldn’t have been able to go and join one of the biggest football clubs in England and leave the impact I have.”

Tommy, who will be remembered as the club’s most successful captain, laughed: “I just hope I’ll be welcomed back to Bournemouth when I’m a little bit heavier and nearing retirement!”