WINGER Matt Ritchie says winning promotion to the Championship with Cherries fully vindicated his decision to move to Dean Court in January.

Ritchie, a £500,000 signing from Swindon, played a key role in Cherries clinching the runners-up spot in League One.

And the 23-year-old’s former club yesterday missed out on the chance to join Cherries in the second flight when they lost an epic play-off semi-final against Brentford.

With the tie locked at 4-4 on aggregate, the Bees won a dramatic penalty shootout to set up a Wembley date with Yeovil, who had beaten Sheffield United earlier in the day.

Ritchie’s nine goals for Swindon went a long way to helping them secure a play-off place and saw him named League One player of the year and in the PFA League One team of the season.

At the time of his move, the Wiltshire outfit were third in the table, one point ahead of Cherries and with a game in hand on the Dorset club.

And while some Swindon supporters questioned Ritchie’s decision to switch camps, the Portsmouth-born ace says he always knew he was making the right move.

Ritchie, who won promotion with Swindon as League Two champions 12 months ago, told the Daily Echo: “I think the league positions show I made the right move. I am delighted I signed here and delighted with promotion.

“I am looking forward to playing in the Championship. It is somewhere I have always wanted to play and I had a little taste when I was at Portsmouth.

“We play good football here under the manager and Jason and have got a great squad of players. It certainly promises to be an exciting season.

“There is fierce competition for places and that is only good because it keeps everyone on their toes and keeps everyone trying to perform at their best.

“I am sure it will be the same next season and we will do well in the Championship.”

Ritchie, who had a brief trial with Cherries under Kevin Bond in 2008, made two Premier League appearances for Portsmouth and five in the Championship.

Although his preferred position is on the right wing, Ritchie’s versatility could also prove useful as he demonstrated his adaptability on joining Cherries by providing cover at left-back for the injured Charlie Daniels.

Restored to a more natural attacking role following Daniels’s return, Ritchie chipped in with three goals and two assists in 17 appearances as Cherries sealed their place in the second flight.