EDDIE Howe praised Cherries fans for their contribution towards Premier League survival and insisted: “I can’t thank them enough.”

The boss admitted the backing of supporters throughout Cherries’ inaugural top-flight campaign had improved performances on the pitch.

The Dorset side are already safe from relegation ahead of season-ending fixtures against West Brom and Manchester United.

Howe said: “The supporters have been absolutely brilliant for us this season. There have been some tough moments and tough runs of fixtures, and results haven’t always gone our way.

“But the supporters have never turned against us, they have stuck with us, they have clapped us off.

“We have maintained the bond between supporters and players and that positivity, and that’s definitely been one of our strengths this year.

“Whereas other clubs have had the burden of their supporters on them, we haven’t and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Meanwhile, the club has warned fans not to encroach onto the playing surface before, during or after tomorrow's game against West Brom.

Any supporters positively identified on the pitch will face matchday disciplinary procedures and could incur a ban from future games and the loss of their season ticket.

Cherries have been warned by the Football Association that similar incidents had resulted in clubs being fined up to £200,000.