STEVE Fletcher started a new chapter in his Cherries career after admitting his heart had sunk following the realisation his playing days with the club were finally over.

Fletcher, Cherries’ record appearance-maker during two hugely successful spells at Dean Court, was yesterday appointed in a combined scouting and ambassadorial role.

The 40-year-old called time on his Cherries playing career at the end of last season and had always expressed a desire to remain at the club he had served for 20 years.

Fletcher will work with boss Eddie Howe on team assessments and player recruitment and will also help out on the commercial side, promoting the club throughout the region.

In an emotional interview with the Daily Echo, Fletcher said he was “delighted” with the new role but revealed he had struggled to come to terms with not being involved as a player when Howe’s squad reported back for the start of pre-season.

Fletcher added: “Nothing had been finalised regarding my role on Saturday when the boys came in for a test day. Although the manager invited me in, I had to decline and it was the first time I had ever not wanted to come to the ground.

“I would have found it difficult to watch the boys and it would have broken my heart. I knew I had to face up to it eventually but, for the first day, my heart sank because I wasn’t going to be part of it for the first time in 24 years.

“I knew I had to face up to it eventually and the manager asked me to come in on Monday. I watched the boys train and helped out but, all the time, I was wishing it was me. People had told me what to expect and said it wouldn’t be easy. As much as everybody tells you how hard it is to overcome, nothing prepares you for when it actually happens.

“I know you can’t avoid the inevitable forever and putting on a black kit instead of a red one was one of the most difficult things I had done for a while. The lads were great, especially the older ones, and they knew how I was feeling.”

Discussing his new role, Fletcher said: “You have to move on in life and this is the next chapter. I will never forget my playing days with the club but I have a new career to think of now and want to get my teeth into this and make a success of the opportunity I have been given by the club.

“There is a lot more to scouting than just watching games. Everybody knows how hard working and meticulous the manager is and it won’t just be a case of watching games and jotting down a few notes.

He wants me to embrace the job and come to him with ideas, recommend players and really take everything on board.

“The ambassadorial role is something else I am looking forward to. I hope people think I have represented the club well for the past 20 years and, hopefully, I can be an asset on that side as well. These are exciting times for the club, not just on the playing side but on the commercial side as well. Hopefully, my experience during 20 years at the club will stand me in good stead for both roles.”

Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell said: “Steve has been a loyal servant, he is very popular and our supporters love him so we would have been silly not to find him a role where he can benefit the club.

“He speaks well and he speaks highly of the club. He is a big plus to have around and is a role model to the younger lads. I am not one for changing personnel so we wouldn’t want to bring in anybody else because he is ideal for the job.”