EDDIE Mitchell has attempted to play down his much-publicised exploits following Cherries’ defeat by Chesterfield on Saturday.

Speaking last night to the Daily Echo, Mitchell said he had been unaware the incident had sparked widespread media interest.

He said: “I watched the game from my box as I normally do. I was disappointed with the result but was over the moon the supporters did not get on the boys’ backs. I thought it was fantastic because they could easily have turned on the boys.

“I normally go down to greet the boys and pat them on the back. As a gesture, I thought I would clap the supporters for clapping the boys and 95 per cent clapped back. A few didn’t see eye to eye so I thought it would be a good idea to see if we could find out what their problem was.

“There was one guy leaning over who was very frustrated, you could see by the expression on his face. I invited him to come over and tell me what the problem was so that I could try to address it in the future.

“I invited him on the pitch to give me his point of view. I then spoke to him outside the front door for about five minutes. He was a level-headed guy and he apologised for his reaction.”

Mitchell added: “I think it has been overcooked a bit. The supporters had their say and I had mine.

“What happened yesterday, happened. If I can’t walk on to the pitch and clap the supporters after all I have done for the club then there is something wrong, isn’t there?

“To me, it was nothing. I have forgotten all about it.”

When it was suggested his actions could have been construed as incitement, Mitchell replied: “I am a 57-year-old family man. You don’t think I incite people?

“If there has been a public outcry, I haven’t seen it because I have been indoors for most of the day.”