Fletcher holds Bournemouth's appearance record

Bournemouth are to reward striker Steve Fletcher for his loyalty by renaming the North Stand at Dean Court after him for the next five years.

The 37-year-old has made over 600 appearances, scoring 116 goals, since joining from Hartlepool in 1992.

Fletcher told BBC Radio Solent: "I'm massively honoured and very proud. To cap this with promotion would be the best season of my career."

The official naming will take place ahead of Saturday's game with Bradford.

Fletcher broke Sean O'Driscoll's record for appearances for Bournemouth in 2005 despite serious knee problems, which caused him to miss the best part of 17 months of action at one stage.

Also that year, he was voted as the Cherries' all-time cult hero by viewers of BBC TV's Football Focus.

He was released by former manager Kevin Bond in 2007 but after spells with Chesterfield and Crawley, was re-signed by current boss Eddie Howe in January last year.

Fletcher helped Bournemouth avoid relegation last term, scoring the winning goal as they beat Grimsby in the penultimate game to secure their Football League status, and has aided their push for promotion this season.

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