Cherries: Cometh the moment, cometh captain Dan! (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Cometh the moment, cometh captain Dan!

7:00am Tuesday 7th July 2009 in

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HIS passion could certainly never be questioned. Nor could his commitment to stand up for his rights and those of his team-mates.

The appointment of Danny Hollands as Cherries skipper could be an inspired choice.

In the heat of Cherries’ relegation battle, Hollands reacted angrily to being told he was “not fit to wear the shirt” by a group of irate supporters.

The criticism, which came following an abysmal 3-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley in November, stung him more than most.

In fact, it hurt him badly, even though he had only come on as a second-half substitute – with Cherries already three down.

But instead of bowing his head, trudging towards the dressing room and uttering “it wasn’t my fault” under his breath, Hollands turned on the fans and gave them a piece of his mind.

It was an uncharacteristic and, some would say, uncalled for response but one which spoke volumes of the player and the man.

They probably thought he didn’t care. He cared passionately.

Within minutes of making his feelings known, Hollands was approached by the Daily Echo and invited to explain himself.

He did so politely and with great humility. He was also man enough to apologise and he spoke with sincerity. Better players and lesser men could learn from him.

At 23, Hollands is anything but the elder statesman in the Cherries squad. But his old head on young shoulders prompted his team-mates to vote him as their union representative.

When wages were delayed, he fought staunchly for his colleagues and did everything by the book.

He then boldly put his head above the parapet to make a stand, telling the club he would be leaving unless he received his pay. As one of Cherries’ prize assets, he was in a strong bargaining position and eventually got his money.

With another trying season on the horizon, supporters can rest assured their new skipper will be trying his heart out – for himself, his team-mates and for them.