LIFELONG Cherries fan Phil Hordle - a season ticket holder who lives in Japan - is set to become a long-distance director after accepting an invitation to join the Dean Court board.

Cherries chairman Peter Phillips has acted quickly to replace retired director of football Mel Machin by appointing Hordle as an executive director.

The 40-year-old businessman, who is the club's third largest shareholder, will join Phillips, vice-chairman Andrew Kaye and director Tony Swaisland on the current Cherries board.

Phillips also confirmed Hordle would be making a contribution of "several thousand pounds" to CherryShare, the scheme introduced to raise funds to prevent the possible sale of Dean Court.

Born in Parkstone, Hordle now lives in Japan where he is head of global technology services for American banking giants Merrill Lynch.

A Main Stand season ticket holder, he flies to England as often as he can to watch Cherries and was pictured with Sean O'Driscoll's squad ahead of last week's clash against Oxford, a match he sponsored.

Hordle attended Bournemouth and Poole College before moving to the Far East around 15 years ago after working for Barclays International in Poole. His parents Pamela and Dennis still live in Dorset and are also season ticket holders at Dean Court.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo from his home in Japan, Hordle said: "I've been a fan for around 30 years and have been more involved in the club since Trevor Watkins and the trust fund members rescued the club a few years ago.

"I have sponsored Sean O'Driscoll and Carl Fletcher for the past few years and was delighted to sponsor the match against Oxford last week.

"I'm very pleased to be invited to join the board and to contribute more. If we can get through the short-term difficulties we've got now and stop the sale and leaseback then the club has got a very bright future."

Hordle's appointment comes just days after Phillips took the first steps towards forming an executive committee by unveiling local businessmen Abdul Jaffer and John Wood as associate directors.

Jaffer and Wood, who are not board members, will be joined by representatives from the Community Mutual and other fans' groups as Phillips aims to increase supporter involvement within the club.

Phillips told the Daily Echo: "We are looking for a strong business element on the board and want people who have good commercial skills and are also supporters of the club. Phil falls into both categories.

"He's a successful businessman and also a loyal supporter, as are his parents. He's also very well known, respected and liked.

"With modern communications, it's relatively easy to keep in touch and as Phil returns to the UK on a frequent basis, we don't envisage any logistical problems with him being a director."

The Community Mutual, one of the largest fans' trusts in the UK, have concluded elections for their board and the successful candidates were Roy Dibden, John Michael Park, Dave Stone, Stephen Coles, Dave Humphreys, Steve Nother, Kevin Foote, John Lewis and Anthony Greenall.

In addition, Paul Williams and Mike Maltby will remain as co-opted members, while the board is actively seeking to co-opt a further four people.

For more information, contact (01202) 757516 or email (afcbcm@afcb.zzn.com).