CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe stressed the importance of remembering “where the club has come from” and insisted: “This is one of the great football stories.”

The manager was speaking at the premiere of the club’s Minus 17 documentary – a decade on from the ‘Greatest Escape’ after starting the League Two campaign with a 17-point deduction.

Produced by AFCB TV, the 90-minute production has earned rave reviews on social media since it’s release on the anniversary of the 2-1 victory over Grimsby which confirmed survival.

Howe said: “It was a very special night for everyone connected with the club. I have always said this was an historic moment in the club’s history and it turned out to be a huge turning point from what happened afterwards.

“It’s very easy to focus on the now and what’s happening tomorrow but to actually look back and thank people for their efforts and acknowledge the great achievement that it was is very special.

“It’s very important that we don’t forget the fabric of the club and where the club has come from. It’s been a very difficult history, not a smooth ride with a lot of difficult moments and stories of adversity against triumph.

“I think this is one of the great football stories. From the club’s perspective there has to be a huge credit to the media team and everyone at the club for acknowledging this event.

“It’s what this club has always done very well. It’s looked after former players and it has a good nostalgic feel. You don’t want to live in the past but it’s definitely the right thing to do to acknowledge this at this time.”

The event, held at the ODEON cinema in Bournemouth, saw an array of Cherries 2008-09 squad reunited.

Howe added: “Ryan Garry and Jason Pearce don’t look a day older, so they are doing something right with how they are looking after themselves!

“It’s a very special thing in football, you find when you do get together you still have lots in common and lots to talk about.

“It’s great to share the memories with the players, staff and supporters that were here at that time. It was a very special evening.

“It is a totally different challenge now. Back then they were unique challenges to what we faced at that moment.

“A lot of learning and developing took place – certainly a lot of things that stood me in good stead for the rest of my management career but I wouldn’t change a thing.”