CHAIRMAN Eddie Mitchell handed Lee Bradbury a long-term contract – and then backed him to lead Cherries into the Championship.

Manager Bradbury yesterday celebrated his opening 12 months in the hot-seat by agreeing a new three-and-a-half year deal – 48 hours before his first anniversary in charge.

Appointed as caretaker boss a year ago tomorrow, Bradbury has experienced fluctuating fortunes since hanging up his boots to become Eddie Howe’s successor in the Cherries dugout.

After signing a two-and-a-half year contract to take the job on a permanent basis, the former Portsmouth striker went on to lead Cherries to the League One play-offs.

But following the semi-final defeat against Huddersfield, Bradbury was forced to rebuild his squad after a series of high-profile summer departures.

After a poor start to this season, Bradbury has steadied the ship and since bolstering his squad by recruiting the likes of Wes Thomas, Steve Cook and Charlie Daniels, Cherries have set their sights on another top-six finish.

When asked whether he felt Bradbury was the right man to lead them into the second tier, Mitchell told the Daily Echo: “Yes I do – 100 per cent.

“I have got a business partner and he has watched the progress.

“He watched the players leave in the summer. And he has watched Lee progress and build the side.

“This is backed by him and the whole club is united behind the decision.

“It is a good decision because Lee is very hard working, he makes the sacrifices you need to make to push on and you can’t ask any more of anybody.

“Win or lose today, he is the right man to take us forward.”

In Bradbury’s 56 games as manager, Cherries have recorded 20 victories.

Mitchell added: “He had a difficult summer, watching good players go out of the door through no choice of his own, and he has helped me and Tom (Mitchell, director) build a new side.

“We feel that we have got to have some influence over who the manager brings in so it is always run past us – the suggestions, the prices, the value and the backgrounds.

“We have also got a wealth of experience at the club with Shaun Brooks, Paul Groves, Neil Moss, Matty Holmes, Steve Hard and Louis Langdown.

“We have all got our input and we are able to meet and work as a team. We can accumulate our information and it helps me understand what is going on.

“Lee’s ability to work with everybody and draw everybody together is a big asset.

“I think he has been fantastic for the club and I wouldn’t want to lose that.”