GARY O’Neil says watching his son play football is “a nice little release for me” as he reflected on the “big achievement” of CJ signing his first football academy deal.

CJ, who has just turned nine, has been snapped up by AFC Wimbledon, after a successful trial period.

“He’s done well,” Cherries boss Gary O’Neil told the Daily Echo.

“A lot of hard work ahead, keep pushing him. But he’s delighted.

“It was a big achievement for him. He’s worked very hard.

“He wasn’t one of the ones that was signed early. He’s only small for his age, so he’s worked very hard to get his opportunity and it’s a really good academy. He loves it there.”

Asked if seeing his son sign for a professional club was a proud dad moment, the 39-year-old said: “It is. I’ve got three children, two daughters and a son, so I try and split my time evenly.

“But you do end up carting him around to football more often than the other two! I enjoy it.

“You don’t get to switch off from this (Cherries) very much, but for the 60 or 80 minutes that he’s on the football pitch and I’m watching him, I don’t think about anything else but him.

“It’s a nice little release for me.”

Asked if CJ will be the next Gary O’Neil, Cherries’ boss replied: “They play everywhere nowadays, but he will be a centre-midfielder probably.

“Hopefully he’s better than me!”

Although O’Neil had a near 20-year professional football career, before going into coaching at Liverpool and then management at Cherries, he admits he faces the same dilemma as many parents up and down the country when it comes his son.

Asked if he can switch off from trying to coach CJ rather than just watch him play, O’Neil said: “I try not to! We have some conversations.

“I feel like I would be silly not to help him. It should be an advantage having me as your dad!

“But also, he’s nine years old, he needs to enjoy himself.

“It’s a difficult one. I’m sure lots of dads up and down the country have the same battle, trying to support but not be overly intrusive. Hopefully he does well and hopefully he enjoys it.”

And it is not just on the football field where CJ is excelling.

The talented youngster is also a budding actor, featuring in shows such as ITV’s detective drama Grantchester.

“He’s done a few TV programmes,” said O’Neil.

“He’s done a few bits. He’s a good kid, he’s well behaved. They all are.

“The proudest thing you can have is seeing your children do well, supporting them. It becomes your purpose in life really once you reach that stage. I’m enjoying it.”

Asked if he will be introducing CJ to Cherries’ new minority owner, Hollywood actor and director Michael B Jordan, O’Neil said: “We could do, get him a little boxing role! We’ll see.

“My eldest daughter is actually in musical theatre, she goes to a theatre school in London.

“So she has been on at me to try and get some premiere tickets for her. So maybe her turn next, after discussing CJ all day!”