FAIRYTALE finish to Darren’s dazzling career.

A fitting headline in the Daily Echo to bid farewell to Darren Anderton’s playing days.

Following his decision to retire after Cherries’ home game against Chester on December 6, 2008, the midfield maestro came on as a second-half substitute and netted a stunning strike in the 88th minute to bag three points and bring down the curtain on an 18-year period in professional football with a smile on his face.

However, as Anderton revealed in the club’s Minus 17 documentary, which told the tale of the Greatest Escape in 2008-09 and premiered on AFCB TV last week, his decision to hang up his boots came because he no longer enjoyed his football under the management of Jimmy Quinn.

On New Year’s Eve 2008, just 25 days after the former Tottenham man’s retirement, Quinn was sacked and replaced by rookie boss Eddie Howe, who led the side to a remarkable survival.

Discussing his decision to stop playing with 78 Cherries appearances to his name, Anderton told the Daily Echo: “It was a really tough decision. I went to Bournemouth to enjoy my football, which I absolutely did.

“I look back at it with nothing but good feelings because once it wasn’t as enjoyable I made a decision.

“The reality was the manager wasn’t great and wasn’t what I felt Bournemouth were all about. I went there under Sean O’Driscoll and the reputation of the way the club played and brought young players through was what I bought into.

“Unfortunately, under Jimmy it went away from that and I feel I did the right thing. By me making that decision hopefully it made Eddie Howe come along a little bit quicker.”

Anderton’s career saw him ply his trade under the likes of Gerry Francis, Glenn Hoddle and Terry Venables and earn 30 England caps, including appearances at 1998 World Cup and 1996 European Championship. But the Southampton-born star admitted he would have relished the opportunity to play for Howe.

Asked for his thoughts on working under the current Cherries boss, Anderton said: “I would have loved to. After that (Howe’s appointment) I remember giving him a text and wishing him all the best and saying ‘if required I may dust the boots off for you’. At that time I was out in America and everything else but he started laughing and said ‘well, don’t get too unfit’.

“He got the best out of the boys who were there and brought in some very good players, which he has continued to do over the 10 years.”

Tomorrow, Cherries take on Spurs (12.30pm), the club where Anderton spent 12 seasons and made 364 appearances. The 47-year-old is set to attend the clash at Vitality Stadium.

“I always love coming back to Bournemouth and also Tottenham is very close to my heart, so to watch the two teams play is going to be a very nice day for me,” said Anderton.

“Tottenham are a top, top team and Bournemouth always try to play the right way, they play to win and against teams like Spurs if you go toe-to-toe with them it can be very tough but I remember the 0-0 at the Vitality and that was a very strong Bournemouth performance. And that is what they are going to need again on Saturday.

“I know Jeff (Mostyn) wishes the game was still on Monday night as Spurs would have probably put out the kids but I’m sure they will want to get a result.”

Quizzed on if he saw any similarities between Howe and Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, Anderton said: “Absolutely. Funnily enough I spoke to Poch at a Spurs do once and, with my Southampton roots, I had a lot to talk to him about. He really cares and found it a wrench to leave Southampton. He said to me he had advised the club to get Eddie Howe – that is what he thinks of Eddie.

“He thinks he is top, top drawer, which we all know he is. There are certainly a lot of similarities between them.”