Tuesday 28 April 2015 11:24, UK
Bournemouth forward Matt Ritchie has revealed how an inspirational video on Sunday helped them secure the victory that will see them promoted to the Premier League next season.
Ritchie scored his 13th goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Bolton and with third-placed Middlesbrough now three points behind Eddie Howe’s side with a vastly inferior goal difference, Bournemouth are effectively promoted.
The club almost dropped out of the Football League altogether in 2009 but just two seasons after securing promotion to the Championship, the south coast side are on the way up once again.
“We had a meeting on Sunday and the manager showed us the history of the club, so we could see how far the club has come in such a short time,” Ritchie told Sky Sports News HQ.
“He said we could be in the history books at this club and break records and that video just gave us extra motivation.”
Bournemouth have spent modestly in the transfer market and Ritchie believes Howe will largely stick with the squad that has secured their place in the top flight for the first time in their history.
“There will probably be a few additions and we will strengthen but when we got promoted from League One two seasons ago, most of the players that played last night were in that team,” he added.
“That just shows the faith the manager has in the players and gives us great confidence. I am looking forward to it and it’s a challenge that we relish and hopefully we can step up to the plate.”
Ritchie, who cost Bournemouth £400,000 from Swindon in January 2013, has praised the manager for guiding the club to the Premier League.
“From the position when he first came in, he has taken this club so far, with the help of the board, the previous chairman and the chairman now,” he said.
“So many people have played such a big part and the manager has been absolutely brilliant in contributing to that success.”
Winning the Championship title having led the way for much of the season is the final target for Bournemouth this campaign, who must better Watford’s result at home to Sheffield Wednesday when they face Charlton at The Valley in the final game of the season.
“We will hopefully go there and get three points, although we need Watford to slip up, but hopefully we will keep our side of the bargain,” said Ritchie.
