A TAXI boss is calling on businesses in Bournemouth to club together to keep AFC Bournemouth away from financial ruin.

Barry Perkins, marketing manager for United Taxis, has just struck a sponsorship deal with the football club and believes other businesses could do the same.

Last week Cherries' Chairman Peter Phillips warned that "dangerous creditors" could see the club being presented with a winding up order. He said the club was £4 million in debt against the stadium and urged major investors to step forward. He also announced the club would be launching CherryShare II, asking fans to double their shareholding.

Mr Perkins said businesses could help the club climb out of their financial problems by following his lead.

He said: "As we struck this deal it occurred to me that other companies and businesses could do the same. The club needs £4 million, if local businesses handed over £3,000 or £4,000 each in sponsorship it wouldn't take long for the club to be able to pay off their debts one by one."

Mr Perkins added: "This is a good idea. I feel that as a company we take money from Bournemouth and we should put something back into the community. I feel we owe it to Bournemouth to make sure it survives."

Mr Phillips said: "It would certainly help. Over the last couple of years we have been very successful in getting individual supporters involved with the club by shareholders helping financially. But what we have not been so good at is getting businesses involved with the football club, after all it's at the centre of the community and it's a very public organisation."

He added that the club was looking to set up a business club working with Dorset Business and Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

He said the club offered many opportunities for businesses including sponsorship of boards at the ground, the match ball and match programme.

First published: September 2