CHERRIES are in line to receive an unexpected cash windfall after an anonymous benefactor pledged £125,000 towards lifting the club's transfer embargo.

The Dean Court season ticket holder approached Cherries chairman Peter Phillips to make his generous offer earlier this week.

His donation would help Cherries pay off more than 75 per cent of their outstanding debt to the Professional Footballers' Association.

And it would also take the club a giant step towards having their embargo lifted, clearing the way for them to deal in the transfer market again.

However, the funds will only be made available once the benefactor has sold a development property - unless Cherries can arrange a bridging loan in the meantime.

Cherries chairman Phillips explained: "He's a local businessman who is in the process of selling a property and has pledged to give us the funds from the sale.

"He's also a long-standing fan of the club who has already pledged to CherryShare and helped us in other ways over the past few months. He has already given us a substantial sum of money to help with maintenance of the stadium.

"He has pledged this money because he sees the embargo as the biggest problem for the club at the moment and wants to do everything he can to help us get over it.

"Unfortunately, the funds from the sale of the property are not likely to be available until mid-March and we would like to get it into the PFA's hands before then."

Cherries have been subject to a Football League transfer embargo for almost 12 months after borrowing £200,000 from the PFA to help pay the players' wages. They have paid back £36,000.

The block severely restricts manager Sean O'Driscoll from dealing in the transfer market and means Cherries have to receive permission from the league and PFA before adding to their squad.

Phillips added: "It's essential we are in a position to deal in the transfer market and our top priority now is to lift the embargo.

"This pledge is a huge boost and means we can now start to turn our attentions to what we are all here for - the football.

"We are beginning to emerge from the deep financial problems we had at the start of the season, like keeping our creditors at bay and stopping the club from going into liquidation.

"We need to get the embargo lifted in an effort to make sure it doesn't all go flat.

"We have had tremendous success in the league and cups this season despite an horrendous injury list and a small squad.

"I am absolutely delighted this supporter has come forward with this pledge as it takes us a huge step towards realise our aim of getting the embargo lifted.

"We will be working tirelessly during the next couple of weeks to raise the remaining £40,000.

"The CherryShare application forms go out this week and if everybody who has pledged turns their promise into hard cash, we could be there sooner rather than later," added Phillips.