HE was a “magical fella”, a true Cherries legend and a fantastic player.

Those were some of the warm tributes paid to Cherries’ 1960s star Ray Bumstead, who died in Royal Bournemouth Hospital on Sunday. He was 77.

Former Dean Court striker John Sainty and ex-boss Harry Redknapp both shared their fond memories of the man once dubbed The Ringwood Rocket.

Mr Bumstead was signed by Freddie Cox in May 1958 and went on to make his league debut for Cherries against Doncaster nine months later.

An outside-right who was Ringwood born and bred, Mr Bumstead scored 55 goals in a then-record 415 league appearances for the club.

His service to Cherries was recognised in December 1969 when a testimonial match was held against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Sainty, Cherries’ leading scorer in 1973-74, briefly played alongside Mr Bumstead during the latter’s final Dean Court campaign in 1969-70.

Sainty told the Daily Echo: “Ray was a magical sort of player. You never knew what would happen when he got the ball. He worked extremely hard.

“When I played with him, it was towards the end of his career rather than the start. I probably didn’t see the best of him.

“But I knew and saw him because he lived in Ringwood and I live in Verwood. Our paths would cross a lot in the betting shop and the pub. He was a magical fella and he will be truly missed in Ringwood.

“A few men have had tears because Ray has gone. He was a character. He would bowl around and always seemed neat and tidy, like his football. A lot of people are very sad.”

Legendary former Cherries manager Redknapp said: “It is a really sad loss. When I lived in Ashley Heath, I used to bump into him in Ringwood and I knew him well. He was a true Bournemouth legend and served the club for many years. He was a lovely man and a fantastic player.”

Don Thorne, a close mate of 20 years, said: “In The Times, they said he was more at home at Dean Court than in his own house. That was Ray – he loved football and he loved Bournemouth.”

Friend Mike Scott added: “We just had good times together. He was best man at my wedding. He was a very good friend and he always did his bit for charity.”

Cherries supporters can pay their respects to Mr Bumstead during a minute’s applause before Saturday’s game against Bury.

Hugely popular Cherries stalwart Ken ‘Nimbus’ Sullivan, who passed away on Saturday aged 87, will also be remembered at the match.

Mr Sullivan worked on a voluntary basis for the club for 35 years, including stints as kit man for Redknapp, Tony Pulis, Mel Machin and Sean O’Driscoll.

Tributes to Mr Sullivan, including interviews with Redknapp and Pulis, will be published in tomorrow’s Daily Echo.