A Closer Look At Departing Stars - Summer shake up begins

Kevin Bond today released Gareth Stewart, Steve Foley and Jo Tessem while Russ Perrett joined Neil Young in retiring from the professional game.

From the five departing players Young was by far the longest serving. Signed by Mel Machin in 1994, a Cherries career spanning fourteen seasons and over 500 games earned him legendary status amongst fans.

Gareth Stewart played 179 games in eleven seasons since joining from Blackburn as an England youth International. The likable keeper had to spend much of his career as second fiddle to Mark Ovendale and then Neil Moss, but was always ready to step into the fray and claim the number one jersey as his own.

A number of injuries perhaps prevented Stewart reaching his full potential and his best season at the club was in 2000/2001 where as regular first choice, Cherries missed out on the Division Two (now League One) play-offs in the final minutes of the final match.

Steve Foley was signed by Sean O'Driscoll for £20,000 following a successful loan spell from Aston Villa. The tricky midfielder possessed a lethal set piece and chipped in with a number of goals before an ongoing back injury all but ended his Cherries career.

Russ Perrett was a summer signing by Kevin Bond in 2007. The experienced centre back played just eleven games in a frustrating season dogged by hamstring, calf and cardiovascular injuries.

Jo Tessem was plucked from Norway by Bond when Cherries mid-season injury crisis was at its peaked. Straight into the side at Cheltenham, Tessem bossed the midfield and looked to prove a shrewd signing. But when players started returning from injury Tessem struggled to get into the first team.

AFC Bournemouth would like to thank all five for their services to the club and offer best wishes for their future careers.