GARETH Stewart insists he still has plenty to offer despite being shown the door by Cherries boss Kevin Bond.
The keeper described his release this week following a nine-year stay at Dean Court as "disappointing but not unexpected".
He added: "You've got to close the door on what's gone on before and hopefully open a new one. You can't just sit at home and worry about what might happen. I've got six to eight weeks to sort myself out.
"Although it hurts, I've got to forget about what's gone on before and move on. I will remember the good things but forget the negatives.
"It's difficult for the club because of the financial troubles and the relegation. I would like to think I would ply my trade in the same division as Bournemouth next season.
"Throughout my career, I've proved my worth in the league above and you don't play almost 200 games at that level unless you are good enough.
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"I know I should have played more games but haven't due to a combination of different things. All my games have come in League One so I shouldn't have too much trouble in the league below.
"Anybody who knows me, knows I will go on to do well. I've no doubts about that and it's not about proving people wrong."
Stewart, who endured a bitter-sweet stay at Dean Court, fell out of favour with Bond at the start of the season and was told he was free to leave then.
But despite being frozen out, the 28-year-old performed admirably after being restored to the Cherries starting line-up in November before injury brought his season to a premature end in March.
Stewart joined Cherries on a free from Blackburn and made his debut in November 1999. He was runner-up in the prestigious Daily Echo-Micky Cave supporters' player of the year award in 2006.
"Being told that you are not being kept on is not what you want to hear but it wasn't unexpected," added the Preston-born stopper.
"But Mossy (Neil Moss) is under contract and Prycey (Ryan Pryce) has done well so if anyone was going to miss out, it was going to be me. Such is life, it's one of those things.
"It's never been easy for me here and I've got some good and bad memories.
"The best one is probably the season when we just missed out on the play-offs when Jermain Defoe was here.
"We were relegated the year after and although we came straight back up, I didn't play because I was injured. It always seemed that when I got in the team and was doing well, something would strike me down.
"I love the place and the supporters and it's them I feel sorry for.
"It's been a negative club to be around for a few years and they haven't had a lot to cheer.
"It's nobody's fault, it's just a culmination of a lot of things and the position the club finds itself in. It's just a shame that I'm not staying to see the club come through it all."
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 8:20am Thu 8 May 08
The writing was on the wall last year and yet you still gave us your all, good luck let's hope we see you in a league match, throw in a few crosses and put you under pressure, only kidding, all the best to a real cherries stalwart.
The writing was on the wall last year and yet you still gave us your all, good luck let's hope we see you in a league match, throw in a few crosses and put you under pressure, only kidding, all the best to a real cherries stalwart.
Posted by: RF72, Sydney, Oz on 9:17am Thu 8 May 08
Good luck to you Gaz. You always came across as a thoroughly decent bloke who always had time for the fans. I think with a bit more luck at certain times you really could have been a mainstay of the team for years.
Good luck for the future mate.
Good luck to you Gaz. You always came across as a thoroughly decent bloke who always had time for the fans. I think with a bit more luck at certain times you really could have been a mainstay of the team for years.
All the best Gareth you have been a wonderful servant to the club and deserve to find another team at this level.Good luck mate and thankyou for all you have done for the cherries.
All the best Gareth you have been a wonderful servant to the club and deserve to find another team at this level.Good luck mate and thankyou for all you have done for the cherries.
Posted by: AFCB_exile, Coventry on 9:47am Thu 8 May 08
Good luck, Gaz, and hope you stay free of injuries next season wherever you are. Two particular memories for me. A superb performance at Huddersfield a couple of years ago - we would have sunk without trace that day but for you. Best of all the breathtaking save at Forest the season before last - their fans were up and celebrating until you stopped them in their tracks.
Good luck, Gaz, and hope you stay free of injuries next season wherever you are. Two particular memories for me. A superb performance at Huddersfield a couple of years ago - we would have sunk without trace that day but for you. Best of all the breathtaking save at Forest the season before last - their fans were up and celebrating until you stopped them in their tracks.
Posted by: lamarinacf, Alicante/Bournemouth on 11:22am Thu 8 May 08
I don't rate him and the only good season he had was when Defoe was here and that season he was immense.
Cant beat his loyalty to the club and thanks for that but he did let in some stupid goals and made a fair amount of mistakes.
Good luck anyway.
I don't rate him and the only good season he had was when Defoe was here and that season he was immense.
Cant beat his loyalty to the club and thanks for that but he did let in some stupid goals and made a fair amount of mistakes.
Posted by: Garyt, Daventry on 12:01pm Thu 8 May 08
Good luck Gareth. You have proved that, on your day, you are as good as anyone around at this level. I hope you find another club and get an extended run, as I think you have always been better than some people think.
Good luck Gareth. You have proved that, on your day, you are as good as anyone around at this level. I hope you find another club and get an extended run, as I think you have always been better than some people think.
Posted by: sancassani, Bournemouth on 1:36pm Thu 8 May 08
I was sat at the back of block 1 for the Carlisle game both Moss(with his wrist in plaster) and Stewart were sat up there watching the game. When we scored Gareth was as pleased as any cherries supporter. Moss sat there looking depressed.
Shame Gareth has gone.
Good luck to him.
I was sat at the back of block 1 for the Carlisle game both Moss(with his wrist in plaster) and Stewart were sat up there watching the game. When we scored Gareth was as pleased as any cherries supporter. Moss sat there looking depressed.
Posted by: GMcMahon, Highcliffe on 3:38pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]sancassani[/bold] wrote:
I was sat at the back of block 1 for the Carlisle game both Moss(with his wrist in plaster) and Stewart were sat up there watching the game. When we scored Gareth was as pleased as any cherries supporter. Moss sat there looking depressed.
Shame Gareth has gone.
Good luck to him.[/quote] Moss in my opinion is going to be a major doubt for next season and we might not even see him playing, I understand that Gareth was out of favour with Bond but it does leave us a little short if Mossy doesn't recover, something he has doubted himself, that could be the reason he looked so glum.
sancassani wrote:
I was sat at the back of block 1 for the Carlisle game both Moss(with his wrist in plaster) and Stewart were sat up there watching the game. When we scored Gareth was as pleased as any cherries supporter. Moss sat there looking depressed.
Shame Gareth has gone.
Good luck to him.
Moss in my opinion is going to be a major doubt for next season and we might not even see him playing, I understand that Gareth was out of favour with Bond but it does leave us a little short if Mossy doesn't recover, something he has doubted himself, that could be the reason he looked so glum.
Posted by: Noel, Bournemouth on 1:48pm Fri 9 May 08
Yes, a very loyal player and proved it when he was needed.
Not unsurprising that he has been released as Bond seemed not to like him and certainly treated him shabbily by telling him last year to find a new club two weeks before the season started.
Good luck Gareth, you certainly deserve better that you have got from this management team.
Yes, a very loyal player and proved it when he was needed.
Not unsurprising that he has been released as Bond seemed not to like him and certainly treated him shabbily by telling him last year to find a new club two weeks before the season started.
Good luck Gareth, you certainly deserve better that you have got from this management team.
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