KEVIN Bond has won the race to become AFC Bournemouth's new manager.

Bond has beaten off stiff competition for the post from Andy Hessenthaler and Phil Brown.

The 49-year-old was this morning unveiled at a press conference at Canford School when he also met the players for the first time.

He is expected to take the reins for Cherries' League One clash at Millwall on Saturday after working with the squad in training.

His appointment brings to an end the club's five-week search for a new manager following Sean O'Driscoll's departure to Doncaster last month.

Bond was one of the main contenders tipped by the Daily Echo to replace O'Driscoll and polled six per cent in a readers' vote for the new boss.

And his chances were boosted when favourite Jamie Redknapp ruled himself out of the running a month ago.

Despite his managerial inexperience, Bond's close family connections with the club suggested he could be a progressive appointment.

He becomes the club's 25th manager since they joined the Football League in 1923 and has followed in his father's footsteps.

John Bond was at the helm during one of the most successful periods in the club's history during the early 1970s.

He plotted Cherries' promotion from Division Four in 1971 and went within a whisker of taking the club up at the first attempt the following season.

Kevin also carved his name in the Dean Court hall of fame when he lifted the prestigious Echo-Mickey Cave supporters' player of the year trophy in 1992.

He also played a starring role in defence when Cherries secured their highest finish in the Football League - 12th in the old Division Two (now the Championship) in 1989.

A former England B international, Bond signed associate schoolboy forms with Cherries when he was just 14.

He was recommended to the club - managed at the time by his father John - by assistant manager Reg Tyrrell, whose son Clive remains a personal friend.

After following his father to both Norwich and Manchester City, Bond returned to Dean Court when he rejoined Cherries from Southampton in 1988.

He made more than 150 league and cup appearances for the club before cutting his managerial teeth at Stafford Rangers in 1997.

Bond has filled various coaching and scouting posts under former Cherries boss Harry Redknapp and was assistant manager to Glenn Roeder at Newcastle until his contract was terminated last month.

A keen golfer, who plays to an 11-handicap, and a flying enthusiast, Romsey-based Bond could ask his former Newcastle colleague Tommy Craig, or ex-Portsmouth defender Andy Awford, to become his assistant at Dean Court.

FACTFILE



Personal Born: June 1957 Birthplace: West Ham Clubs: Cherries, Norwich, Seattle Sounders, Southampton, Exeter.

Career appearances (league): 537 Career goals (league only): 33 Cherries appearances (league and cup): 155.

Cherries goals (league and cup): six International honours: England B PLAYING CAREER November 1971 - signs associate schoolboy forms with Cherries as a 14-year-old. The Summerbee School pupil is spotted by Dean Court assistant manager Reg Tyrrell - who recommends him to his father, Cherries boss John Bond!

July 1974 - links up with his father when he signs apprentice forms at Norwich City following his released from Cherries by mutual consent.

February 1981 - plays 142 league games and scores 12 goals for the Canaries before moving to Seattle Sounders for £200,000.

September 1981 - again reunites with his father at Manchester City following a £350,000 transfer. Makes 110 league appearances for the Maine Road club and scores two goals.

September 1984 - joins Southampton in a £60,000 move and makes 140 league appearances at The Dell. Is appointed club captain by Saints and lines up in the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1986 and the League Cup in 1987.

August 1988 - rejoins Cherries in a £50,000 transfer when he is signed by Harry Redknapp.

November 1988 - Redknapp rejects a bid of £100,000 from Charlton for him.

May 1989 - plays a starring role in defence as Cherries secure their highest league finish, 12th in Division Two.

June 1991 - is told he can leave Dean Court on a free transfer should another club come in for him.

August 1991 - loses the Cherries team captaincy to Jimmy Case.

May 1992 - despite an uncertain start, he caps a memorable season by lifting the prestigious Echo-Mickey Cave player-of-the-year award.

May 1992 - is handed a free transfer.

July 1992 - joins Exeter and makes 19 league appearances for the Grecians before having spells in the non-league ranks with Sittingbourne and Dover Athletic.

MANAGERIAL CAREER Begins his coaching career at former club Manchester City where he is appointed reserve team manager.

Following spells as a coach at Wrexham and Altrincham, he takes his first managerial post at Stafford Rangers in October 1997.

In May 1998, he is appointed assistant manager to Alan Ball at Portsmouth. Following Ball's sacking, he becomes a scout for West Ham and then reserve team coach under Redknapp.

Following Redknapp's resignation and subsequent appointment at Southampton, Bond joins the backroom staff at St Mary's.

And when Redknapp leaves Saints to return to Pompey, Bond again follows and takes up the post of assistant manager.

In June this year, he leaves Fratton Park to join Newcastle as assistant to Glenn Roeder. But his contract was terminated last month.