CHERRIES manager Sean O'Driscoll has backed their innovative Player-share scheme and believes other Football League clubs will follow suit and introduce it if it proves successful at Dean Court.

The scheme - which allows fans to raise funds to help strengthen AFC Bournemouth's squad - was introduced earlier this month.

So far, a group of about 15 supporters have raised £60,000.

They have set a target of amassing £100,000 before the start of the 2002-2003 campaign.

O'Driscoll, whose club are strapped for cash following the redevelopment of their ground, said: "I am definitely for the Playershare scheme.

"It is fraught with difficulties and probably in a different climate in football it wouldn't get off the ground. But it is probably the right time for a scheme like this to take off.

"And if people are prepared to put some of their money into a football club, it is better knowing where it is going. If it has a chance to be successful it is here. If it does, I think a lot of other clubs will be knocking on our door asking us to tell them the details so they can do something similar themselves."

O'Driscoll, who is not expecting to make any moves for new, or loan, players until pre-season training has started, added: "If you have no money to buy players and someone gives you money, you are better off.

"We probably won't buy players with the money. It will probably be a case of paying a player's wages with it, like a player coming on loan from a bigger club. It will probably be just that.

"Alternatively, if we can start off by bringing in a new young player or a more experienced player, hopefully, this scheme will prove beneficial to us."

Peter Phillips, a box holder at Dean Court, is the brainchild of the scheme, whereby a private limited company - Playershare Ltd- has been set up to make funds available for the club to buy new players and invest in existing squad members.

For legal reasons, a maximum of only 50 supporters are able to contribute cash at the mo-ment and the minimum individual investment is £1,000 per person.

As an added bonus, the scheme - which it is hoped will eventually be open to all fans - also offers participants the chance to earn a return on their investment.

O'Driscoll said: "Historically we have always struggled financially and, unfortunately, we have got relegated and have lost our ITV Digital money. We are in for a tough time over the next three months. To get through the summer is our first aim, but the money raised by Playershare is nothing to do with our expenses throughout the summer.