Cherries

JEFF Mostyn heralded the Cherries’ European qualification as ‘achieving the impossible’ as the former chairman reflected on a meteoric rise up the English pyramid that he was key to.

Mostyn first became involved in the club in 2006 and was the man behind the infamous nod to administrator Gerald Krasner in 2008 that kept the club afloat.

He was at the helm for much of the time following as the club rose up the leagues under the management of Eddie Howe and reached the promised land of the Premier League.

"Together, anything is possible": Cherries community reacts to European qualification

Cherries' Elphick eyed up for Championship managerial job - Reports

Iraola - "It would be nice" to get bottle of wine from friend Arteta after City draw

How Cherries can still qualify for the Champions League on season's final day

Cherries benefited from City's emotional fatigue after cup final - Iraola

Now, under new ownership of Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club, the club have reached new heights and have qualified for European football for the first time.

Mostyn was at the draw with Manchester City that confirmed their qualification, and said he was “humbled” by the number of fans who thanked him for his role in their rise.

“My thoughts were very much with, my God, this is something that none of us would ever have imagined, none of us would ever have dreamed about,” he said.

“And if you take the last 17 years, from 2008, giving Gerald Krasner the nod, I never ever thought in my lifetime that that nod would have such an impact on the lives, dreams, and aspirations of so many people in our incredible community.

“From the players whose lives have been changed, dramatically by the progress that they have made, the staff and the supporters alike, I just think to have an opportunity to reflect that, that decision has had on a whole generation of people, fans getting to travel to Europe, players achieving their dreams.

“It really is, I think, turning the impossible into the possible.

“And it's twice we've done that because from -17 to the Premier League was an astonishing achievement by any stretch of the imagination.

(Image: Corin Messer Bournemouth Daily E)

“You've heard me say before, and I've written in my book, that I think it's one of sport's greatest ever stories.

“And to take it to this level, my thoughts were straight away with Bill Foley, with Jim Frevola, and Andoni Iraola, because they have taken the club to a completely different level.

“And the congratulations should rest with them.”

“It doesn't matter if it's a once in a lifetime,” he said.

“There are always those doubters that I tend to just ignore. People have to enjoy this incredible moment.

Andoni Iraola. (Image: Richard Crease)

“It doesn't matter if it's a one-off. It's a moment in 127 or so years that would never have ever been imagined.

“So I'm just proud of the part I played in realizing the dreams of so many people in the community, and so full of pride for the way that Bill, Jim, and Andoni have taken the club forward, with the help of everybody, all the staff at the football club and the players, to a completely new level.”

Mostyn said Tuesday night would rank among the top nights in the club’s history, but each has its place in Bournemouth’s story, from Steve Fletcher’s goal to keep the club up from a 17-point deduction, to the Bolton victory to seal promotion, among others.

“I think each in its own right deserves the accolades that have been bestowed upon everybody that has taken part in that journey,” he said.

Mostyn picked out stalwart club captain Adam Smith for his contribution after he impressed on Tuesday, some 16 years after his first appearance for the club in League One while on loan from Spurs.

Andoni Iraola and Adam Smith. (Image: Richard Crease)

“I think everybody has to embrace the journey, go and enjoy Europe, don't think about what might be after that,” Mostyn said.

“I think that everybody deserves that freedom of mind to reflect on this incredible football club that we all love with such passion and enjoy the moment and celebrate what is, in most people's eyes, the impossible.

“But, we've said it many times before, together anything is possible.

“And all those people that doubted us throughout this journey, we keep proving them wrong.

“I think the future is unbelievably bright.”

Mostyn said he will be taking the chance to watch the club in Europe: “One of our favourite television programs is Race Around the World, and we're now going to take part in that ourselves next year!”