STRIKER Brett Pitman is relishing the chance to churn out more chapters in his Cherries fairytale with a 250th Football League appearance looming large.

The Jersey-born hitman, who was 17 when handed his Cherries debut against Bradford City in August 2005, will bring up the milestone should he feature at home to Fulham on Boxing Day (3pm).

Pitman, 26, has netted 89 league goals across two stints at Dean Court either side of a two-and-a-half year spell with Bristol City where he netted 20 times in the Championship.

His 19 goals in 26 matches provided the catalyst behind Cherries’ promotion from League One but was mainly utilised from the bench once the club returned to the second tier.

However, having regained his starting slot in October this year, Pitman has established himself as a key component in a Cherries side that has gone 12 league matches without defeat.

Pitman told the Daily Echo: “It has been quite a journey through League Two and administration up to the Championship but to hopefully play for 250 league games for this club is something I feel very proud of.

“You can see the club is in a good place now. The fans and players are buzzing, everyone is playing well as a team and I am just pleased to be contributing to that.

“Personally, I feel fitter now than ever before but it is about how the team and the club have evolved. It is enjoyable playing in this team and something I want to continue doing.

“We’re scoring goals and I would imagine we’re pretty entertaining to watch. It is great to be a part of and you only have to look at how we play to see how much we enjoy ourselves.

“We never look at it as another game we have to play, we just think of the different ways we can express ourselves and it is working. We will keep our feet on the ground but we’re in a good position at the moment and pleased with how it’s going.”

But despite being on the cusp of his latest landmark, Pitman reflected on how his fledgling career had profited from tougher times at the club.

“Going through administration was horrible time for the club,” he said. “But as a young player coming through the youth system, it probably helped in a weird way. We couldn’t sign anyone so you had to play and you had to be ready.

“I think the days you get promoted stand out. Burton away and Carlisle at home are the obvious highlights but another game that sticks in my mind is Chester away.

“It was the season Eddie Howe had taken over and we had been deducted 17 points. It was a real crunch game and a case of us or them (for relegation) really.

“We went up there and beat them 2-0 and the whole experience has stayed with me since.”