AS A founder member of the AFC Bournemouth coffee club, Shaun MacDonald deservedly helped pop the champagne corks to celebrate promotion to the Premier League.

But despite digging the footings for the club’s meteoric rise, the Welshman did not hang around too long after the skyscraper had reached the dizzy heights of the top flight.

MacDonald was one of Cherries’ first major signings after Maxim Demin had arrived on the scene, a £150,000 buy from hometown club Swansea in August 2011.

He played for two different managers in his first 13 months – Lee Bradbury and Paul Groves – before starring in Cherries’ League One promotion campaign under Eddie Howe.

A regular in the Championship until injury robbed him of his place, MacDonald made three substitute appearances in Cherries’ debut season in the Premier League.

Perhaps fittingly for such a talented player and amiable individual, his final game was a memorable one – a 2-1 win at Aston Villa in April 2016 preserving Cherries’ status in the top flight after they had been written off as relegation certainties.

Although he ended his five-year stay somewhat reluctantly, a £250,000 move to Wigan in August 2016 was made for the sake of his career.

Boss Howe admitted his decision to sell MacDonald had been made with a “heavy heart”, hailing him as “an outstanding player and outstanding person”, sentiments echoed by supporters.

Capped four times by his country, MacDonald will return to Dean Court with the Latics on Saturday, although he will play no part in the FA Cup third round tie as he continues to recover from an horrific leg break.

He will reunite with close friends Marc Pugh and Ryan Fraser, both fellow coffee club founder members along with Wes Fogden and Benji Buchel, and may even treat them to a latte!

“No, we don’t have a coffee club at Wigan!” laughed MacDonald, when asked the question by the Daily Echo.

“Some of us meet up after training and have the odd coffee but I wouldn’t say it was as many times a week as we did at Bournemouth.

“Just before I left, we all started going to Cotea in Westbourne. The food was always perfect, the coffee really nice and the people who own are lovely. Hopefully, my wife Jordan and I will pay them a visit this weekend!”

Discussing his time with Cherries, the 29-year-old said: “I remember signing and we had a really small squad. I think the budget and wages were tight at the time.

“We just about managed to stay up in League One in my first season but Lee Bradbury got the sack and Paul Groves took over for a short period and it didn’t work out with him.

“Then, Eddie and Jason coming back was probably the perfect time for the club to re-appoint them.

“It was a very successful time for me and I enjoyed every minute of it.

“For me, it is a special club. I had a very good relationship with the fans and we made some friends for life. It is healthy to have that away from football and a sign of how much we loved it there.

“I played a lot of games in League One and the Championship and then had a spell out with ankle ligaments.

“Eunan O’Kane came in and had a really good spell. He took his chance and had a lot of interest from other clubs. He was rewarded with a new deal.

“I found myself in and out and managed to get back in.

“Getting to the Premier League didn’t kill me as such but we signed some really good midfielders and the gaffer had his team.

“I didn’t want to give up and leave Bournemouth but felt I had a lot more to give. Things ended up getting a little frustrating, I still wanted to play and knew I could still do a job, if not for Bournemouth then for another club. That was why I left and I went on very good terms.”

With the Latics flying high at the top of League One, MacDonald acknowledged an immediate return to the Championship was their priority this season.

He also said he anticipated an entertaining encounter between his former club and the 2013 FA Cup winners: “We all know the identity of Bournemouth. They will try to keep the ball, pass and attack but we have a lot of dangers as well.

“We found it tough last season with relegation from the Championship but the new gaffer (Paul Cook) cut down the squad and kept the players he thinks can do a job. I think that has shown with the results this season.

“We have a lot of strength in depth in a squad of 22 to 23 players and I think the gaffer can rely on and trust everyone.

“Also, we have a really good attacking style of play. I believe we can give them a good game and am looking forward to seeing how we test ourselves against Premier League opposition.”

Having returned to training at the start of this week, MacDonald will travel with the squad for the first time since fracturing the tibia and fibula in his right leg against Reading in April, with Pugh and Fogden among his first visitors in hospital.