Cherries could get another backer in their bid to beat the transfer embargo – with a well-known local councillor calling on Town Hall chiefs to get behind the club.

Boscombe West Conservative Phil Stanley-Watts will put forward a motion on Tuesday, suggesting that the council votes to support the Dean Court outfit in its attempts to resume transfer activity.

It is the first sign of active support from the council since Cherries’ Football League transfer embargo was tightened more than a year ago.

The ban on new recruits has meant that manager Eddie Howe has been limited to just three short-term loanees this season.

Despite this restriction and a severe lack of numbers in their squad, Howe’s Cherries have mounted a spirited League Two promotion push against the odds.

And Stanley-Watts, a Cherries fan since 1969 and a former member of the club’s ground staff, is hoping Howe and his team get support from the corridors of power.

He told the Echo: “I don’t think many local authorities or councils have motions concerning football clubs.

“Not every football club is closely connected with the community, but AFC Bournemouth has been connected with the community over many different aspects.

“I think the council needs to give them every support they can to try to force the league to lift this transfer embargo. Every little helps.

“They have limited resources but have achieved an incredible amount over the past few weeks.”

The 51-year-old added: “There is no finance in the move or anything like that. It is just a simple move to support the club. It is not political or controversial, I just feel the club needs all the help it can get.”

Cherries boss Eddie Howe said: “We won’t turn down any support. If someone wants to help, then great.”

As a condition of exiting administration in August 2008, Cherries had to accept that all transfer activity would be monitored for three seasons.

And while the club was subject to a rolling embargo to begin with, the ban was tightened fully 12 months ago following a hectic January transfer window.

The Daily Echo launched an End the Embargo campaign in July to call for the league to allow the club to sign new players.

Despite more than 700 readers signing the petition, the appeal fell on deaf ears.

The embargo ruined Cherries’ chances of recruiting a number of potential transfer targets, most notably former Poole Town striker Charlie Austin, who has gone on to make a big impression in League One with Swindon Town.