THE family of AFC Bournemouth legend John “Nonny” Garard will see the club’s promotion season out by hearing his famous “Red Army” chant from his final resting place.

Nonny, who died in November 2021, was loved around the Vitality Stadium for leading the “Red Army” chant which is now played before each half.

And his brother-in-law, Neil Whitlock, said Cherries sealing promotion was “poetic” and was looking forward to hearing “Red Army” from Nonny’s grave during Saturday’s final game against Millwall.

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Bournemouth Echo:

He said: “It would have meant everything. Seven years ago, we were at the parade and he was on cloud nine.

“I think the Nonny tribute ‘Red Army’ they play at the beginning of the first and second half lifts the crowd, he is the twelfth man and it’s something he should be very proud of.

“I think it was the fairy tale ending. Football was his life, if he didn’t have football you question what his life would have looked like.

“The Cherries family made him a part of them and took him as their own from very, very early on.”

Fans in the Steve Fletcher North Stand called out for “Nonny, give us a song”, prompting the club to play Nonny’s recording of “Red Army”.

Despite not being able to be at the match, Neil said he was sent so many videos he felt as though he was there.

READ MORE: Tributes to AFC Bournemouth legend John "Nonny" Garard

Bournemouth Echo: Kieffer Moore (Picture: Richard Crease)

“He was definitely looking down”, he continued. “The fact you can hear the stadium from his grave I think is also poetic.

“I hope the club continues with the ‘Red Army’ tradition.

“Nonny was a very happy go lucky man. My wife and I are going to go to John’s graveside and hear ‘Red Army’ from his grave, after sealing promotion we feel it’s the right thing to do.

“We are very proud of John as a family.”

Nonny, who was aged 51 when he died, first started going to football in his early teens and it wasn’t long until he became a cult hero at Cherries.

He followed the club home and away and would even travel long distances to watch reserve and youth team football.

Following his death, a Cherries spokesperson described him as “our matchday voice” and said “he will be missed”.