RIVAL chairman Barry Hearn gave his verdict on Cherries’ financial transformation and told the Seward Stadium faithful: “Enjoy the moment.”

Cherries hit the headlines last month after a record-breaking shopping spree saw the club recruit seven players during the January transfer window.

Boss Lee Bradbury spent an estimated £1.6m to enhance his squad with the permanent signings of Donal McDermott, Matt Tubbs, Scott Malone, Wes Thomas, Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis and Steve Cook.

That bumper business was in stark contrast to the summer when Cherries sold a host of their leading players – and it came just months after Russian businessman Maxim Demin had joined chairman Eddie Mitchell as co-owner of the Dorset club.

Long-serving Orient chief Hearn, who sold Daniels to Cherries, insists supporters should make the most of the upturn in fortunes.

Speaking ahead of Orient’s visit to Seward Stadium tonight (7.45pm), Hearn told the Daily Echo: “It is great for any team to find someone who is prepared to pour in a load of money to what I call lower-division football. I think it is commendable and everyone should be grateful and enjoy it.

“I wouldn’t criticise it. There will always be sceptics out there saying ‘what happens if?’, but those are sad people. What you have got to do is enjoy the moment.

“People are talking about Bournemouth, they are playing a good quality of football and getting some good performances.

“As long as the money is going into the club on a long-term basis, then I think everyone should get behind the owners, applaud them and say thank you very much.”

Sports promoter Hearn added: “Apart from signing one of the best left-backs outside of the Championship (Charlie Daniels), Bournemouth have got some other quality players there and are having a good go at it. So, enjoy the moment – that is what sport is all about.

“Whether Bournemouth win tonight, we will wait and see, but it will be a decent game between two decent sides in the division, both of whom are probably top-seven teams rather than where they are currently.”

Speaking to the Daily Echo following Cherries’ January spending, Mitchell said: “The club belongs to the supporters – and myself and Max are managing it.

“We have found good fortune to have investment to spend on players and, providing the supporters back us and come in numbers, they will get better football.”