A CHERRIES supporter of 82 years has added his name to more than 500 others as the Echo’s End the Embargo campaign continues to gather pace.

Ron Dyer, 89, has been attending Cherries games since the age of seven.

He and wife Margaret, who have been married since 1948, were season ticket holders for many years.

And despite the couple being unable to attend on a regular basis for the forthcoming campaign, they still felt the need to show their support to the Cherries cause by returning a signed petition.

“They did well to finish where they did,” said Mr Dyer, reflecting on Cherries’ dramatic relegation escape last season.

“They were handicapped, of course, and that still applies.

“It’s an unfair handicap and I don’t know why they can’t lift the embargo now if they’re getting on a decent footing.

“It’s a shame and it’s going to be a struggle.

“I shall get to the games but there are problems with regards going every time. Transport and the very worst weather is a bit of a deterrent. I can just about make it by bus but I’m afraid my wife won’t be able to go.

“We’ll have a go and find a way but I can’t say we’ll be at every match like we used to be.”

Mr Dyer, who attended Winton and Moordown Council School before serving abroad for four-and-a-half years in the Army, also enjoyed reliving his favourite Cherries memories.

The 1957 FA Cup run, the John Bond era with Ted MacDougall and beating Manchester United under Harry Redknapp rank highly, as do more recent trips to Wembley and Millennium Stadium.

But as Mr Dyer, a local man through and through and former Echo delivery boy, is quick to point out, times have changed in the game he and his wife love.

He said: “I can’t actually remember the first game I attended, but in those days it was very different because the football was much more open.

“Arsenal invented the second centre-half in the 30s and clubs started being defensive, but before that it was a better game to watch because it was more open and there was more space up the front.

“There were some great games then but, on the other hand, players have become more skilful since.”

He added: “As a boy I went behind the back of the grandstand after a match and there was probably a dozen of us with an autograph book to get autographs.

“All the players walked out, none of them had a car, very few had a bicycle!

“They all walked away, some of them limping from injuries and some smoking a fag, most of them in fact!”

Mr Dyer, whose favourite current players include Mark Molesley and Jason Pearce, took the total number of End the Embargo petitions to more than 500.

The Echo will present the petitions to Gavin Megaw, the Football League’s director of external affairs, on Monday, while the league is also expected to issue a statement regarding the petition and Cherries’ transfer embargo.

Meanwhile, Cherries’ ongoing transfer embargo has cost them another possible signing, with Karl Broadhurst joining Crawley Town.