7:00am Wednesday 7th May 2008
By Neil Meldrum
CHAIRMAN Jeff Mostyn has pledged to do "everything in my power" to convince stars Josh Gowling, Danny Hollands and Darren Anderton to extend their Cherries careers.
The Dean Court chief, currently undertaking due diligence while his bid to take the club out of administration goes through the legal motions, is keen to start contract negotiations with the trio as Cherries prepare for life in League Two.
Gowling, Hollands and Anderton are part of a number of players out of contract this summer, with Ryan Garry, Shaun Cooper, Marvin Bartley, Lee Bradbury and Brett Pitman also without deals.
While none of the eight can put pen to paper on new deals while the club is in the hands of administrator Gerald Krasner, Mostyn is able to hold talks with the players.
And despite the release of Gareth Stewart, Steven Foley and Jo Tessem, along with retiring duo Neil Young and Russ Perrett, Mostyn and boss Kevin Bond are keen to keep ALL of Cherries' remaining senior stars at Dean Court - including contracted strikers Jo Kuffour and Sam Vokes.
Mostyn told the Echo: "I want to reassure all of the supporters that I will be doing my utmost to persuade all the players who haven't been released to continue playing at this club.
"It is so important. They (Gowling, Hollands and Anderton) are three of our most senior players and I will be doing everything in my power to make them an offer they feel justifies signing for the club at least for another season, if not longer."
On the five players leaving the club, Mostyn added: "I'd like to thank them for their efforts on behalf of the football club.
"In Neil Young's case, he has retired and I'd like to wish him and his family well for their new life in Australia.
"It's very sad how injuries have conspired along with the problems off the field to make us re-evaluate things.
"But going forward with the squad we hope to have next year, you can't have players on board who are likely to be injured and who are unlikely to make a contribution to what is, undoubtedly, the toughest division in the Football League."
Mostyn's formal bid for the club could be made public as soon as two weeks from now, with the chairman's consortium in discussions with administrator Gerald Krasner over an agreement to fund the club week-by-week.
Mostyn said: "I have daily contact with the administrator and his lawyer to keep them updated on what is going on.
"I'm in the process of coming to an arrangement to fund the club on a weekly basis until such time as the offer for the club has been accepted.
"In the past, the administrator has asked for a lump sum to cover the bills. On the basis that the season has now finished, it is an absolute clear science on what is required to cover the bills on a day-to-day basis.
"I've taken on that responsibility until we get through the due diligence, which will hopefully be a couple of weeks."
Mostyn, who missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Carlisle due to his daughter's wedding, added: "On a separate note, I'd like to thank the fans who travelled to Carlisle on Saturday. Their support was invaluable and their dedication is incredible."
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