EUNAN O’Kane is adamant that experience of hard graft in the lower leagues helped spur Cherries to the Championship title.

The former Everton youngster was part of the Torquay side that reached back-to-back League Two play-offs before joining Cherries ahead of the 2012-13 campaign.

His career path is – in broad terms – not unique among the playing staff at Dean Court, with many having plied their trade in the lower regions of the Football League and even non-league.

And the midfielder insisted the prior experience of Cherries’ players had aided the charge to second-flight success.

O’Kane told the Daily Echo: “A lot of our players have a similar story to me.

“They have maybe gone a slightly different way about it but the likes of Harry Arter and Steve Cook have played in the Conference or at the lower end of the Football League.

“I don’t think people appreciate how much hard work it is to perform at those levels and move on to better things.

“But I think those experiences contributed to the team being where we are right now.

“I don’t think too many of the boys would change what they have gone through.”

Reflecting on Cherries’ rise up the league ladder, O’Kane added: “In 2009, Bournemouth were 23rd in League Two and now we’re champions of the Championship.

“I think the thing to remember most is where we have come from as a football club.

“Saturday was a tremendous occasion and a reward for our efforts in the past few seasons.”