EDDIE Howe hailed Marc Pugh "the all-round package" after the winger was voted Cherries player of the decade by Daily Echo readers.

From the XI selected by the fans as the club's team of the decade, Pugh was then chosen in a poll to determine the best player of the past 10 years.

Pugh, who joined Cherries in 2010 and scored 56 goals in 312 games for the club before departing earlier this year, topped the vote with 24 per cent, ahead of Artur Boruc (22 per cent) and Steve Cook (17 per cent).

Asked if he agreed with the decision made to select Pugh as player of the decade, boss Howe told the Daily Echo: "Yeah, I do. And I think for so many different reasons.

"Of course his playing ability – he scored goals, created goals and his intelligence was of such a high level – but also what you had was the all-round package off the pitch. Team-mate, leader, an incredible player."

Howe added: "He is someone I will hopefully stay in contact with throughout my life, because he is someone that I hold in such high regard."

Pugh's former team-mate Cook echoed the thoughts of Howe.

He told the Daily Echo: "I think Pughie was an outstanding servant to the club.

"One of the best the club will ever have and maybe slightly underrated outside the town, but a great guy."

On his own selection in the XI, Cook added: "It’s obviously really nice. I saw a few things on Twitter, so that was nice.

"Obviously I’ve been here a long time now. I signed here when I was 20 years old so I’ve given a lot of my life to the club and obviously it’s nice to see the fans put you in that team.

"Hopefully I can give more to the club again."