CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe expressed his gratitude for the unflinching support from the late Mick Cunningham ahead of the match at which he will be remembered. 

The team will don black armbands and supporters are planning to applaud once the clock strikes 55 minutes for the revered former club photographer, who died on Sunday after collapsing at last weekend's match at Stoke City.

Mick’s family have been invited to today's Premier League clash with Watford (3pm) with Howe keen to acknowledge the influence of a man who poured his heart and soul into the club in all weathers. 

Howe said: “I think my biggest memory of Mick would be his support more than a funny story. 

"He followed my journey through and saw all my youth-team games, reserve-team games and first-team games, so I knew that Mick had my back. 

“When I became manager, especially in the first two games when we got beaten, we were second bottom of the Football League and it looked like we were heading to the Conference but Mick, again, had my back. I knew he was there supporting me. 

“That was the key moment, knowing you had people around you who wanted you to succeed, wanted you to do well and weren’t wishing you ill. 

"I think that is a huge thing for a manager and that’s probably the biggest thing I thank him for.”

Howe added: “I’m sure he, like most Bournemouth supporters, never thought this journey would come, to get to the Premier League during his lifetime.

“It is a strange thing that happened. You could never see that coming in life, you don’t expect to go to take pictures at a match and not come home. 

“It is incredibly sad for Mick and his family but we feel immensely proud that he followed the club for the number of years that he did.”

  • Video shot and edited by Corin Messer