AFC Bournemouth and Bournemouth University have celebrated the start of a four-year partnership.

Cherries manager Eddie Howe took the university’s varsity football teams for a training session ahead of a ceremony to toast the deal at Goldsands Stadium, Dean Court.

He joined Cherries chairman Jeff Mostyn and the university’s vice-chancellor John Vinney in raising a glass to the partnership.

The deal aims to enhance students’ experiences through a variety of work experience opportunities.

These include working alongside the AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust in delivering an annual season-long project for each year of the partnership, as well as supporting the club’s media and commercial team on match days.

AFC Bournemouth will recruit student ambassadors to promote the club at the university through match day promotions, while its Community Sports Trust will manage the varsity football team.

Cherries commercial director Rob Mitchell said: “This is a partnership that we believe will change students’ lives,” commercial director Rob Mitchell said.

“They will become important members of our match day team and gain valuable experience while working at a Championship club. We are really looking forward to working with the university and watching students develop their skills.”

John Vinney added: “We are very excited about the partnership with AFC Bournemouth and the opportunities and experiences it will create for our students.

“It is also exciting that our two institutions will be partnering to make a difference in our local community.”

Four members of the AFC Bournemouth staff are Bournemouth University graduates – Mr Mitchell, partnerships executive Catherine Stanley, media assistant Alex Smith and the assistant manager of the Community Sports Trust, Jamie Dighton.