CHERRIES owner Maxim Demin has appointed Jeff Mostyn as the club’s new chairman following the Russian’s acquisition of Eddie Mitchell’s shares.

Former vice-chair Mostyn returns to the hot seat he vacated following the club’s administration in 2008 and has vowed to get his hands dirty while “complementing” the club’s existing structure.

He returned to Dean Court as part of a consortium which saw Mitchell take charge in June 2009 before selling his shares to Demin in October 2011.

Since then the club has enjoyed unparalleled success culminating in last season’s promotion to the Championship prior to Demin’s complete takeover earlier this month.

Mostyn polarised opinion during his first spell as chairman after selling the then cash-strapped Cherries to Alistair Saverimutto and Paul Baker, but insisted those past experiences would stand him in good stead ahead of his second stint.

In a candid interview, Mostyn told the Daily Echo: “It has all happened so quickly. The first I knew of Eddie’s intention (to sell) was in the boardroom at Doncaster only a couple of weeks ago.

“I had never given any consideration to becoming chairman again so this has really taken me by surprise.

“I feel an immense sense of pride.

“Having started in 2006 with my heart, the one thing I have found to my cost is that unless you engage your head, you’re going to run into serious problems, particularly in a business like football where everything is driven by emotion.

“But I feel I have stood the test of time. I’ve been through the good, the bad and the ugly and you have to go through difficult times to truly appreciate how lucky you are.”

Meanwhile, the new Cherries chief said he would be taking a “hands-on role” alongside chief executive Neill Blake but added the financial side would be left to Demin.

On his role, Mostyn said: “There will be joint responsibility. I see myself, along with Neill, as responsible for implementing the strategy of the board.

“Any changes will be subtle but there will be more independence for individuals (staff) and decisions will be made without constant consultation. Maxim is a great believer in allowing people to live up to the faith we have in them.

“Our job is to try and create as much income as possible. With financial fair play, the more income we can derive, the more investment we can make in the club.

“Maxim is the sole owner which gives him total control of how the club is driven in terms of investment.

“Our relationship is extremely strong but I haven’t had any financial discussions with him and for me it isn’t something I want to engage in on a day-to-day basis.

“It’s on a need to know and that’s Maxim’s prerogative. My job is to drive other avenues of the club forward and I am thrilled to be able to leave all of the financial aspects to the man who is solely responsible for them.”