EX-Cherries boss Sean O’Driscoll has paid a glowing tribute to Steve Fletcher, insisting: “There will never be another player like him.”

Fletcher, who last week called time on his illustrious Cherries playing career, replaced O’Driscoll as the club’s record appearance maker.

He also paved the way for O’Driscoll’s finest hour as Cherries manager by netting the opening goal in the Division Three play-off final win over Lincoln at the Millennium Stadium in 2003.

O’Driscoll, now in charge at Bristol City, appointed Fletcher as club captain and the striker was always one of the first names on the team-sheet under him.

“When Eddie (Howe) told me he was thinking of bringing back Steve to Bournemouth, I thought it was an inspired idea,” said O’Driscoll.

“Fletch was the one player who, if he wasn’t in the team for whatever reason, the opposition manager would always say to me afterwards how pleased they were when they saw his name wasn’t on the team-sheet.

“His kind have become rarer and rarer in the game but the value of having that type, and quality, of player in your artillery never went unrecognised in football.

“I was at Walsall last year when Fletch came on with Bournemouth 2-0 down. He changed the game and scored a dramatic last-minute equaliser.

“As soon as you saw him waiting to come on, you could have written the script. He has made those sort of scenarios his speciality in an incredible career.

“Fletch played with an enormous heart and desire, it was why people loved him. The biggest tribute you can pay him is that there will never be another player like Steve. He deserves every accolade he receives.”

Fletcher, who scored in O’Driscoll’s first game as a manager – Cherries’ 1-1 draw with Cambridge United in August 2000 – helped the club pull off the Greatest Escape from relegation under Eddie Howe in 2009 following his return from Crawley.

Former team-mate Danny Hollands, now at Charlton, told the Daily Echo: “When he came back, we were crying out for someone like the big man and he made an immediate impact.

“The best way to describe him is Mr Bournemouth. Everyone around the place loves him and he is a great guy to have around. He deserves every bit of credit for what he has done for the club. His goal against Grimsby, along with what the other players did, helped keep the club in business.

“He is a great person on and off the pitch. He is a great pro and a nice bloke and is always there for any youngster who needs advice.

“He has had a great career and, if he does finish, it would be a shame that he won’t get a chance in the Championship because a lot of players who have played at that level don’t deserve it as much as Fletch.”