ANDY Marsh, who was in the reserve team under John Bond, identified the man on the far right of the AFC Bournemouth youth team picture printed several times in the Echo last year, as the well respected late John Kirk, Cherries trainer and physio for many years.

John’s son, also called John Kirk, recognised his father in the picture too.

The line up are from left, Peter Moore, Clive Grout, Steve Chalk, Chris Giles, Steve Gritt, Brian O’Donnell (both in the vehicle), David Gibbs, Shaun O’Mara, Billy Foreman, Ian Loveys, an unknown and John Kirk.

John Kirk, better known as Captain Kirk, was the stalwart of the club, and worked with the youth and reserve teams for 30 years.

His football career began as an apprentice at Bolton Wanderers, following a junior stint at Rochdale and voluntary service in the RAF during the Second World War.

He then moved to the south to play as a professional with Poole Town FC, where he was known as ‘Johnny’ Kirk.

After injures brought his playing career to an end, John worked as a trainer, moving from Poole Town to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club as assistant to trainer Arthur Cunliffe in 1963, and was promoted to full trainer in the early 1970s by John Bond.

John helped Harry Redknapp take the squad to Division Two in 1987, only a few years after he had successfully managed the reserve team to become champions of the Football Combination tournament.

He also saw the famous victory over cup holders Manchester United in 1984.

John trained many players over the years, including George Best during his brief stint at Bournemouth in 1983.

His last season with AFC Bournemouth was under Tony Pulis in 1992-3 before he retired.

After his death in July last year many Cherries players attended his funeral.

Andy Marsh went on to play for Poole Town, Salisbury and Dorchester as a semi-professional, and helped establish a new home for Poole Town at Tatnam.

He became a teacher at Oakdale Middle School, teaching PE and games for 30 years, before moving to Bournemouth School for Boys and teaching PE part-time.