 Well, hello and welcome to the official AFC Bournemouth podcast coming to you as ever from Vitality Stadium the home of the cherries Now we're back for another special episode as we look to bring you closer to some of the personalities collected to the club For those who are new to our podcast, my name's Zoe Rundle and I'm part of the media team here at AFC Bournemouth Today, I'm reunited with the one and only Neil Parrott who's been covering the club for over 30 years Neil, it's great to see you and great to be back competing in the Premier League back where we want to be isn't it after five years 2015-2020 great start by beating Aston Villa three tough games after that But yeah, it's great to be back and what what a great guess we've got today Absolutely, as you say a really exciting guest today, and I just know you're all going to enjoy hearing from him on our podcast He only joined the club in January and might have made fewer than 10 appearances But my Lord what an impact he's had not only did his goal against Nottingham Forest and us to the Premier League He's gone on to score on his top flight debut just two days before his 30th birthday making it four in six for the cherries So without further ado, we're delighted to welcome Keith and more onto the official AFC Bournemouth podcast keeper Thank you for joining us. How are you doing? I'm very well. Thank you Just before we start I'd like to ask you about the junior cherries open training session which took place Early this month. What was it like to be involved in that? It must have been great to see all those smiling faces Yeah, it was really good. You know, I think in football you got to enjoy those experiences because You know kids will come away from that loving it and yeah, it's always nice to have people watching training as well Typical that it would first time it would rain for months and months as well. Oh, yeah, it was heavy rain as well Now we're gonna take you back to the very very start Kiefer Roberto Francisco Moore was born in Torquay In August 1992. We know that you were named after Kiefer Sutherland the British and Canadian actor. Tell us about those two other names. Where did where did they come about? So I had a Uncle he sadly passed away when he was very young. So his middle names were Roberto Francisco. So My mum wanted to you know, keep that going and keep the spirit of my uncle alive So she give she passed on to myself and who was the where did Kiefer come from was that mum or dad? Were they a fan of Kiefer Sutherland? You know what? I'm not I'm not really sure. I just I think I do remember my mom Maybe saying like it was from Kiefer Sutherland, but then kind of thinking looking back I don't know how old he would have been then or so I'm not particularly sure but I think You know my my brother's name is Aston my sister's names Natalia So we've got quite extravagant names. I would say after what you've done here We're gonna have mums and dads are gonna be naming their kids Kiefer I think after you Anyway back to it Neil now used to Regularly holiday in Torquay. He had his own bar stall I believe at the Palace Hotel until it got demolished Now tell us about your upbringing on the English Riviera to put it in Neil's words Yeah, it was amazing. You know, I was had a great childhood You know, I'm very fortunate to to live down there. It is There's next to no crime If you're quite like an outdoorsy person or you you love to be out and about it's It's perfect. This I wouldn't say there's that much to do when you when you grow up But as a kid, it's it's everything you wish and and more you can go down jump in the sea. Just It's it's got everything and tell us about how you found your way into the Torquay youth ranks So I was playing local football at that point And it was so I played for like the I think it was the county just before that and I Got the Trial for the I think it's sent sent her of excellence at that time So yeah, obviously I would didn't turn it down went there and yeah, so from from that point it was I wasn't there long but at that point they disbanded their Their youth system because I think they may have got relegated. I think it was at that some point So they just cut everything off As you say they did they they got rid of their youth system when you were 12 How did that affect you at the time? I Do you know what? I don't think it really affected me that much because I was I was very new to it and I hadn't really experienced It properly I would say So I kind of just went back playing, you know Normal football football with my friends and you know, I got a lot of enjoyment out of that You know, I loved playing playing football, but it was Yeah, I would say maybe it took Some enjoyment from it. Obviously the realization like further like down the line, but Yeah, at that point, I don't think it really Hit you went to combine your footballing you were attending South Devon College Just tell us what you studied there and your best and worst subjects at school So yeah South Devon College we studied it was it I think it was like an MVQ or it was like a diploma in sport or something like that and and Yeah, it was it was actually really enjoyed my time at college, you know, it opened my eyes obviously it was was almost like a gateway to I Wouldn't say like Academy football, but it was also almost like we were we you know, it was an academy We were playing football training in the mornings then going to the college after But yeah, it's kind of Opened my eyes to like what how how football was kind of running in that kind of sense, but now college college was enjoyable Say my worst subject I don't really know maybe science and then best I have a P art or Mass Arts an interesting one. Have you done any art since not really since like I do I would love to you know get back to it But my yeah, my sister's an illustrator as well So I think it's just maybe Something that's in the family now you had a lot of Part-time jobs when you were you're a kid where you were younger a teenager I would imagine just not very many Premier League footballers working a sweet shop. Tell us a little bit about that How did that one come about? Yeah, so I was I think I was just still in college at that time. So it was kind of more like a summer job, you know get a little bit of money so we can You know fun some activities if you can say that and but yeah, so I think I ended up Going for an interview there was I think they just opened it was probably one of the first ones maybe in Painting at that time to really open up something like that. So it's quite new to everyone. So Yeah, ended up getting a job. I don't think I was I was just there for the summer months, but Yeah, I think it was there for maybe three months, but yeah, it's It's quite like looking back. Yeah, it was it's quite fun. Like, you know, I Guess it's I guess it's hard work at the same point, but you know going going to the back like whilst It's not really that busy and eating some sweets in the warehouse and then coming back on the front they're making a making a milkshake and Just going about my day there now I do know that washing dishes in a restaurant is hard work because I've done that and you did that in a restaurant in Painting. So was that like a promotion almost? Yeah, you could say that to be fair. I think I had that alongside doing the the sweet shop so Yeah, that was that was always hard work I wouldn't say I particularly enjoyed that because I was in the kitchen and the kitchens are unbearably hot and yes, it's a very stuffy environment and Then a storm and at Bright House the talkie branch of Bright House that was hard work as well. I would imagine. Yeah, so yeah Been and done everything really it's Yeah, it was a you know, I actually really enjoyed my you know experiences and you know looking looking back now You don't think many footballers have more hardly any I've done what I've done and you know, I think it makes me You know, I appreciate everything I've I've managed to do in in my career Now you were a prolific goal scorer for paint and Saints in the Devon League We've read that and you got spotted by Truro City Now their director of football at the time was a guy called Steve Massey who was a striker AFC Bournemouth in the late late 90s early 80s. I think you only very briefly crossed paths with him. Is that correct? Yeah, so I don't think I really Met I can't I can't really remember to be fair, but Touching back on that might actually gateway into that was Obviously South Devon College we had a Coach who was at that time the assistant at Truro City. So he Asked me to come down for a trial. I think it was just This was like a couple years later off the off chance If I wanted to come and you know, just trial out see see what it was about and I ended up doing really well there And then yeah, here I am now Now at Truro, you combined your time there with working full-time as a personal trainer and a lifeguard at Devon Hills Holiday Park Now tell us just a little bit more about that experience Did you ever have to save anyone's life or any dramatic stories from that time there? No, thankfully not No It's a relatively quiet swimming pool like gym So there wasn't too much going on thankfully It's it can be a long long-winded job You know being on poolside it gets very hot So as you can imagine just watching people swim over and over. It's a it's quite draining I believe you to travel two hours on the train to get to Truro for training. Is that is that true? Yeah, so I Think our schedule was maybe like train on a Tuesday or train on a Thursday Sometimes I couldn't do it due to like work commitments, but yeah if I was to Train it it would be I'd have to either get the train to Truro or one of the lads That lived in Exeter I Traveling with him. So yeah, it was it was hard as you can imagine like I think at that point I was working Maybe mornings So I think I'd be getting up at maybe five o'clock Getting into The gym about quarter past six on some days to open up and then I'd maybe finish about three o'clock In that meantime, I'd I'd have to do like I'd make sure I'd do a workout for myself and then Get a little bit of rest and then I'd go to training. Yeah, so it's a Quite a full-on if you if you look back and at that The the dedication and hard work very early got you a move to firstly Dorchester and then into the championship with Yovil Town in July 2013 was that the break that you had craved into the championship with them Yeah, definitely. Yeah That was you know, I enjoyed my time there felt like I learned a lot about Myself and and football in general that was my first proper experience of you know full-time professional football because we weren't obviously full-time at the other the other clubs But yeah, it was that was that's what I wanted that's what I worked You know relentlessly hard for and when that opportunity came about I was you know, obviously made up. I initially went to trial there and I was I did have trials That I was going to go to after but I think you know as soon as I went there I knew that this was this was the platform. I wanted to play it After Yovil, they got relegated to League 2 eventually. I think you went to Norway with Viking I've read that you said this was a challenging period of your career. Can you expand on why that was challenging? Yeah, you can imagine moving to a foreign country on your on your own It was tough. I wouldn't say there was a like a language barrier, but it was you know, you'd be in I Don't know the canteen or you'd be just in and around the changing room and sometimes it flicker into English Sometimes it flicker into Norwegian and I didn't feel like I could really be myself I couldn't really get involved how I would like to in that sense, but I think I learned a lot about Football over there, you know, it's a different style of playing a different, you know culture But it was one I you know, I wanted to to take and you know, I didn't really Have the impact I wanted to I was very limited to Minutes on the on the pitch. I think I only made off the top of my head 11 appearances, maybe with one start and So I come away from there and a Bit well really disappointed in myself of that I didn't manage to get what I wanted from from that but Yeah, I think it kind of After that really kick-started something in myself saying I wanted I wanted more from it So that's interesting. It sounds like a low point You've made a high out of a low point because you you had a few trials after coming back from Norway Was was there ever a stage where you thought well, I'm not gonna get back into a decent level here were you worried I Wouldn't necessarily say I'm worried but you know, it's it's always It's always hard once you've had You know a taste of you know going playing in a championship There was some some big teams at that at that point in in that league and making my debut Sheffield like competitive debut Sheffield Wednesday away in front of like 25,000 and Yeah, it was amazing So to think of those moments and then to think of the point where I was coming back into England after having an unsuccessful time in abroad Was hard, but I think deep down. I knew I just needed a platform So I did have trials late in Orient maybe I Think also had a trial at Exeter and they offered me a contract, but I Chose to go with forest green instead As you say you did go with forest green in the National League You helped them reach the playoff final, but you didn't feature because I believe you ruptured your appendix after the second leg Yeah, so yeah, there's another twist in my story Yes, obviously having the the highs of getting to Wembley After the we won the semi-final and I Had a really sharp pain in my stomach I was thinking this doesn't this doesn't feel right ended up and Just kind of making it through the night and then we got back to the place and I just couldn't settle in bed It was just Relentless, I think I left it till maybe didn't sleep a wink I left it till maybe eight o'clock in the morning and I thought something's not right here like I haven't slept one second Took myself to A&E and yeah, they said if I kind of left it any longer my Appendix would have ruptured and obviously that's never never good because that can be quite deadly But yeah, so obviously to go through that and then to miss The big occasion at Wembley and obviously I was losing at Wembley as well. So it's a double kick in the teeth really Shortly after you went on loan to Torquay 2016-17 season. How good was it for you to play for your hometown club? And how much did you enjoy it? Yeah, amazing You know, I've had so many fond memories of of that and I can really thank the The manager, Kev, Kev Nicholson. He he really helped me With that, you know, he really believed in me wanted to get the best out of me and and I think at that time Going to play for Torquay In front of my family, you know all my friends Was really what I needed And that I think that really kick-started everything and I Enjoyed myself. I enjoyed going to training. I enjoyed Playing the games, you know, obviously growing up as you know, I was a Torquay fan To actually finally get the chance as I thought, you know, I'd never get that chance I thought I missed it as a kid to play for Torquay was or special and I Did really enjoy my time there He scored five goals in four games probably says how much you enjoyed it I think one of those was a hat trick in there as well. Would you have liked to stay longer? Yeah, so that was you know, that was the initial Talks after I finished the Lone Spell Also for me to maybe go there permanently but It switched town obviously come calling and When a when a team like that comes calling you you don't we've got our answer and that answers always Yes, so That was the opportunity I was I was longing for to be to go back up the footballing pyramid and I was you know, very thankful for that So just going back to talk if you were a tour guide in talkie. Where's the one place that you would introduce people to? In in what sense? Well, if you were a tour guide and you had a coachload of people and you wanted to impress them Would it be something like Anstice Cove or I don't know somewhere like that, maybe That's a tough question. Maybe Meadfoot. Meadfoot is quite nice Maybe Ilsham Marine Drive there's some lovely houses along there. So maybe somewhere like that. Nice. Nice. Look at those now It was a very eventful Christmas for you that year. You featured for forest green and an eventual double header against or key games finishing 455 and as you said it switch came along then in the championship Just want to ask you about one player you played alongside it. It's which Brett Pittman Cherry's legend here and his podcast can be listened on all of our channels. Tell us about playing a game with him Yes, um You know it's It was really eye-opening when I when I went to it So it was I felt like it was a caliber of what I'd been at that point I've had seen really It was only really in in training and and the drills that I could really see you know these These players were there the real deal like First you know watching Brett in the finishing drills It was it was goal after goal and the technique was always was always there And it's a very good natural finisher and it was just seemed seamless for him So I took you know inspiration from that and it was How how can I get myself to that point of where I I looked like that and I was that you know competent in front of goal and So yeah, it was it was really good and you know easy. I said it before but he's yeah, it was a great finisher Now it was quite short spell it switches 11 substitute appearances in total before a six-month stay at Rotherham We got 13 goals in 19 starts and another move move back to the championship with Barnsley Was there was there ever a stage where you thought maybe the championship might just be I might not get higher than that Barnsley You know you'd Yovul and Ipswich No, not at all. I Think my my thinking behind it. The lone spell was I had a really good pre-season I think that that offseason I had probably the best offseason I've I've ever had so I come back super fit for Ipswich and I Was I felt different in myself. I felt like this this was my time if I wasn't gonna play here I was certain I had to I had to play somewhere and you know Rotherham come calling and You know speaking to the poor one over the phone. It was that was it I could I just had that feeling of this is this is where I'm gonna really showcase my stuff So I took you know my confidence and everything I've been working on there and Yeah, I could just I Just had that feeling this it's hard to describe but the feeling was that I'd be successful here and Yeah, so I started house on fire and you know it was it was I loved playing on the poor one. It was it was great and Yeah, I felt that that was at that point in time was was what I needed and then obviously to then Barnsley come in The the step back to the championship, I felt that come at the perfect time. I felt ready in myself Obviously the team was struggling at the time, you know, I think Poor working bottom at the time signed me and then maybe it was a week or two later. He signed for leads So that was always a tough transition, but you know, I was thankful to be back in the championship and I Think I to get that taste of it again really really helped Now when you were at Barnsley, I just want to ask you about a certain instant You might know what's coming you fractured your skull playing for them against Jillingham It's February 2019 and I know previously described that instant as horrendous Did it change your perspective on things because it must have been awful to go through? Yeah, it was yeah. Um, yeah, it wasn't nice But it did massively change my perspective I think maybe since that point I've been a lot more ruthless and Quite direct with my decisions. I feel like that kind of Really opened my eyes to what I wanted to achieve from from my career and At that point You're almost, you know at a standstill, you know, I was obviously Recovering from from that incident and I was watching the games and you know thinking like I'd love to you know Take part and and what I what I really really wanted to do and It was difficult it was yeah, it was super difficult You know having to see specials after specialists after specialists to finally say you're now fit and able to play But yeah, there was some some some scares along the way But you know what as soon as I got that that yes to play it was it was a change in my mind It was like a switch. It was just Back to to full-on relentlessness and it was I was ready to go and obviously coming on for the first time after it was Was quite daunting, but it was super exciting But as you can imagine The first phase was actually a goal kick that was being kicked up to me just as soon as I come on so Obviously you can imagine all the emotions running through my head like oh my god, what happens if it happens again? but I said to myself at that point it was either I I let this take control on my mind or I I take control of it and I Just give it everything I felt like I had to be hundred percent in it Or I was never gonna be there the same player or have the impact I'd want to have so You know went and won the header and it was That was the end of that well an impact You certainly had the 2018-19 season was certainly a memorable one for you You were named in the PFA team of the season after scoring 19 goals And you earned a call out your first call up to the Wales squad was this lift off for key for more? Yeah, definitely This was you know, I was finally found my feet and I was ready to you know to really make my my way up and to really assert myself and You know to show people that What I could really do So the yeah the international call-up was you know, it was amazing, you know, it was for me that was kind of a Reward for all the hard work. I've been putting in all the endless hours all the stuff people don't see behind closed doors That was that was it and then to finally make my my debut for Wales Was amazing and then the competitive debut was Was amazing to against Slovakia away. Obviously it was a qualifier for the Euros To score was yeah something special We'll certainly come on to the international stage later on But just clear up for us your links with China because it's well known and there's the stories written out there that you could have potentially Play for China. Can you just clear that that up for those that are listening? Yeah, so Yeah, I have Chinese heritage in my family. So There was talks and about me going up to Play for a team in China You know, it got quite far down the line, but the the whole kind of You know appeal of it was to Represent the national team. I think they were naturalising players at that point a good Example was maybe Niko Yunaris who moved from Brentford to Beijing So they're obviously the idea was to improve the national side so they could compete in, you know major tournaments So yeah, so there was there was talks about that and You know us if you speak to my partner She didn't want to entertain it obviously moving to China. It's a completely different lifestyle and as you can imagine But yeah, sometimes You've got to make those hard decisions, but you know it was it was It was tough because obviously you can imagine it was quite a lucrative lucrative offer and At that point I think I was just coming out of Barnsley But yeah, my mind was always, you know Set on playing for Wales because at this point I already been to maybe two two camps and It would have taken a lot for me to come away from that So instead of Beijing you ended up in Wigan. Yeah, that's a quite the transition. Yeah Now you had a you had a season at Wigan and you suffered really relegation through no fault of the team's own We've been through it all here points deduction sent the cherries down many years ago Must have been a really bitter pill for everybody that one it was but Don't it didn't feel like that I felt like what we I'm gonna say what we achieved at that club during that during that spell was Was remarkable, you know, I Look back at that that moment and I think like what a group of lads Staff management we had because you know at that point we you know, we weren't getting paid There was big obviously implications and Everything surrounding the football club there was negativity all around us and But one thing that that stood strong was was everyone inside the football club the unity that Everyone shown in the passion for to try get this club out of such a dire situation was was amazing and to say I was part of that was is amazing and Yeah, this obviously I think we maybe went down by point in the end. I think it may have been But we went on some some run and you know beat some beat some good sides, you know, obviously, I think we we were 7-0 up at hull at halftime and on one of the game so Yeah, it was that was that was tough obviously being being part of it, but at the same time it was It was amazing People got this misconception that all footballers are rich and stuff like that and you've just touched on it there You weren't getting paid What was that like? Yeah, obviously it's it's um as you can imagine it's it's never nice not again paid for a job you're you're doing but Yeah, we knew what what to expect as soon as the club got into administration. It was and You know, that was probably the one of the first things you get told is that you're not gonna You know be getting your money and whatnot, but you know, thankfully everyone was you know set for for such an event but Yes, it's never nice, but what what can happen to teams? you know where For instance, I don't really know You kind of you know come away from feeling like oh, they're not paying me. I don't I don't want to play We had none of that we had a great team great staff and everyone was really More involved, I think after that is I think they really wanted to to dig and help the club out One of your highlights of that season must have been getting to know Jamal low someone you played alongside for the whole season Now we know he's one of the best-dressed players in the changing room here How would you describe your dress sense? Yeah, I'd like to think my my dress sense is good Yeah, I've got a Wide variety of clothes. I like to you know mix it up. I could sometimes be smart sometimes casual Yeah, I wouldn't definitely say I'm I'm the worst dressed I would say I'm I'm a very consistent nice dresser. Let's put it that way a lot has been made of the gaffers dressed What are you waving to games? What on earth was he doing wearing a cardigan on Saturday? Yeah, I might have been fairly hot in that but I don't know if he was in the shade maybe but Yeah, I think there's a there's a lot of talk around the gaffers gear, but you know, I'm I I enjoy the gaffers gear I I think some of it's quite nice. Yeah Now 2021 you became the first Cardiff City player to score 20 league goals in more than a decade We think that penalty against the cherries was a bit harsh. So Diego Rico's tackle on Peri ng Do you remember that? I do remember that. Yeah, and I remember the penalty as well stuck it right in the top corner When you left Cardiff for FC Bournemouth in January earlier this year you described your time as well in Wales as really special What was it that brought you to the South Coast? My aspirations to to play in the Premier League You know I had I held talks with the club and it was it was everything I wanted to hear and You know, I've I've never Shied away from saying I always want to play in the highest league possible and I saw this as my chance obviously having a failed You know transfer to Wolves obviously didn't pan out But as you can imagine on on someone that's had a you know failed Premier League move It's it's quite hard and sometimes it does Does affect you in certain ways that you wouldn't think it did I'm not saying it affected me, but you know at that point What what more could I have done to you know to maybe cement that Premier League aspiration of mine? So as soon as Bournemouth come calling Obviously haven't played against them in the in the season only I knew what a great side they were and I And I felt like I could I could be you know the factor to help them get to the Premier League Absolutely, but we're gonna talk about your brief time with the cherries I don't know about you Neil, but there's not that much to talk about is there can't think of any more questions So we just cancel it all now bring it to an end Now there is one place that we do want to start and that's after you just arrived Obviously you come on it's a substitute and you break your foot. What a horrible start that must have been for you Yeah, it was it was mental I didn't really know like what happened. I just obviously Come on made my debut. I was you know, happy to to finally be you know coming on making appearances and To feel a part of it and then as soon as the the final whistle kind of went Felt like I was walking in down the tunnel and I felt like oh my foot my foot doesn't feel right I Didn't feel it at all during the game So ended up Sitting down on the just in the changing room Gaffer had his team talk Gone to stand up I could Barely put any weight on it I was thinking like that was going on here like I've just just run around for I don't know Maybe it was like six seven minutes Sat back down couldn't couldn't move hobbled into the The physio room I Said ah my foot is killing me like I don't know what I've done They did some checks Went Had a kind of an ink in what what potentially it could be Like but they didn't think anything it was gonna be anything too serious because there was no kind of significant moment that Anything really happened So ended up, you know having a scan The day later, and yeah it was broken my fifth mat tassel and It was a one where I had to have surgery as well, so yes Never never good on your home debut Now you certainly made up for lost time ten weeks on the sidelines You headed back over the seven bridge and played a not insignificant role in a quite remarkable 3-3 draw Swansea how pleasing was it for an ex-card if player to score twice against the Jacks? Yeah, it was yeah, it was amazing you know, I remember coming on to all the booze and I'm not gonna lie. I love stuff like that That really spares me on so I can I can I can thank them for giving me an extra boost of motivation for that game But now it was it was amazing, you know Sitting out for I think maybe it was ten ten weeks. I had a lot to think about and I really wanted to you know Come back and and make an impact and as soon as I felt you know Abel in myself and my foot Felt like I could I could have that impact. I was I was ready to go. I was eager to play I was trying to do everything I possibly could to to get into a situation where I could help the team So I felt from watching from the outside. I felt like I could have you know the impact I did eventually have but it was Yeah to to go there and score two goals and You know to be part of that and you know that point was massive for us and yeah, it was was amazing Now Zoe and I are both dog lovers. What about you? You got any pets or have you had in the past or yeah? I threw up my front my life. I've we've had dogs as a family Absolutely love dogs. I've got a dog me and my partner at the minute We've got a dog called Bella So I've got a quiz question for you now. Why are Swansea fans known as Jacks? Do you know the answer to this one? And it is dog related Actually that matter so a Famous dog which was called Swansea Jack rescued 27 people from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea Every day is a school day on the AFC Bournemouth podcast. Oh wow nice Now a week after Swansea we hosted Nottingham Forest here Just give us a bit of an insight into the mood in the camp leading up to that one obviously everyone knew what was on the line Yeah, it was For me it was exciting You know to have This opportunity it was you know, I felt like it was all or nothing To get yourself into a position to say you beat this team you go up is is incredible so I think everyone knew What the what the school was what what we had to do what we'll you know what the lads have been working relentlessly hard throughout the whole season for and Everything was defined on this this game So as you can imagine there was you know, it's a lot of a lot of pressure But it was it was good pressure was pressure we needed to to come out on top The training was intense everyone was at it and it was I would say the build-up was was great and You know to to come away winning that game and to realize you know pretty large streams of you know playing in the Premier League and a lot of them have already played in the Premier League, but It's amazing. Yeah, it was truly outstanding Those eyes from Philip Billing that he gave you and he was stood over that free kick Obviously after the game the gaffer said it wasn't rehearsed you said it's not been rehearsed keep Phil said it's not been rehearsed Just talk us through the whole move from your point of view obviously you get that glance Were you confident that he was going to give it to you or did you still think oh, he's gonna go here? No, as soon as I saw the The wall set up. I saw they had one extra man outside the wall, but Don was there. I just thought there's no point put myself in there. So I took a couple steps back Realized no one followed me Took another couple steps and then at this point. I was I Think I was shouting Phil. I was almost making hand signals so he could see me. I was like waving for the ball and As soon as he looked up and saw how much space I had and obviously we locked we locked eyes I think at that at that moment. I knew he was gonna pass it I didn't have any other thought in my mind that he wasn't gonna not pass it to me So I just you know set my set my body position in a shape of where I wanted to put the ball and You know it was a great ball into me and all I had to do was you know All I wanted was hit it hard and hard and low fast and early so the the goalkeeper would be surprised of it and you know I Executed that and you know low and be old I scored the goal. So yeah, it was a unbelievable If it's not too personal you dedicated that goal to your granddad. Just tell us about that. Yeah, so my granddad passed away in Late January just just before the move. I think oh, just maybe yeah, just before the move Yeah, so that was that was always hard that was a tough one to to swallow, you know family or distraught, but it's you know, I Felt like I had Someone up there looking looking down on me and I really wanted to to do it for my granddad, you know, obviously that and alongside that, you know Getting Wales to the World Cup I really wanted to do that and To say I've done that in honor my granddad is amazing Spoken about how important and massive your family are You've spoken about support from your dad Darren mum Lisa and your partner Charlotte We saw some lovely pictures of you proposing to her in the summer. Just tell us about I know she's been with you most of the journey as Well, just tell us about how important they have been to you must have been a lot of downs as well as ups Yeah, so yeah, obviously I'm big big family man Feel like that's that's the Big focus of mine is you know, I love being around my family a family's huge for me and Everything I kind of do is is mainly based around, you know that aspect of my life and Yeah, my my partner's Really been through thick and thin with me. She's she's been there the whole journey So she's seen everything. She's seen the ups the downs even more ups even more downs But you know out of everything she's always she's been there for me. She's been a Rock and you know, I don't think I would have got to this point without her So the stuff that she's helped me through Sometimes even just just being there being a face to talk to someone to you know to lift my mood Yeah, it was no, I can't can't thank Charlotte enough Now before we move on to this season with the cherries You've spoken about how much it meant to you to reach the world cup with Wales. Can you just expand on that a little bit? It was amazing, you know the To say, you know People people say it's such a small nation and that we shouldn't be you know competing in these big tournaments to Do it, you know on the back of being at the Euro's to then qualify For the World Cup is it's amazing and you know if you can speak to anyone in Wales this That's all anyone's talking about is the World Cup and you know to say to say we did that for for such a great country is Amazing and you know to be part of that part of the team that that did that is That'll stick with me forever and you know to for us to finally, you know Play in the World Cup and you know have the fans cheering us on all back at home or or anywhere even in front of the TV is going to be surreal So you've got America Iran and England in your group so second place will be up for grabs Yeah, definitely. Yeah, so I don't know where England gonna finish but Now of course, it's it's gonna be a great tournament and Yeah, I think you could only write it that you know England We're gonna be in our group or wearing their group, you know, I have a way you look at it and but you know we we know what to expect and You know, I think we'll we'll be going there to upset a lot of lot of fans That's to a gates to around this table because myself and James are English and sorry Has to admit that she is a Wales fan. She resisted the temptation to wear her whale shirt and a bucket hat But she says can you get me a couple of tickets for the final? No problem, I'll sort that Now back to the cherries it was real Roy of the Rover stuff Scoring on your Premier League debut against Aston Villa two days before your 30th birthday Obviously, everyone has seen the Premier League anniversary. It was the Premier League's 30th anniversary as well recently Did you ever imagine that day would come and could it have panned out more perfectly? Yeah, I think, you know, I've always pictured this day in my mind. I've Believe in and visualising and outcomes and certain moments that I'd like to to have in my life and So when when this moment really did come and I knew I was gonna take it You know to You know, this was it was my first first start for the club as well I'm obviously due to the circumstances, but I really knew I'd I did I know I set myself and this this was the moment. I've been waiting for for my whole career This was everything leading up to this point I felt like all the hard work everything I've been through and everything I've you know, I will go through was was for this point here and For me to for be playing in the Premier League this season and you know What what bigger occasion to score your first goal in the Premier League and I always say it about multiple goals I've scored but As soon as that that ball come in and I saw I was fairly free and I knew all I had to do was Repeat a process. I've done countless times in my career and Execute a finish that I've done on the training pitch many many time But right at the start of the season, but what are your hopes and goals for the rest of the campaign? You know, I'm a big believer in setting big goals. I have big ambitions and I've set Big targets I'd like to achieve throughout the season. I'm not gonna Say what they they are but They are ambitious Just going back to Wales couple of lads in the changing room. You're we're all hoping that Mepps and Bruxy will go just how how great is it being to have Bruxy back on the training pitch? Yeah, it's amazing, you know Bruxy's such a big character and a great lad and to have him back amongst everything is is amazing And you know, he's he's really enjoying it. You know, he's he's working hard To get back to the fitness he was and you know, hopefully we'll see him back soon in it in a cherry show And in the same breath, let me ask you about Chris meppen is rolled in that Wales reaching the World Cup Finals Is you can't take anything away from that either? No, not at all. Yeah, meps is meps is a sad standing center off and You know, he's I think he was vital to to us Achieving what we wanted to achieve, you know, some of the some of the blocks some of the clearances some of the some of the performance he's had drawing for Wales has been second to none and you know, you only can see that and you know, the games he's played for for Bournemouth, you know The the game against us in villa. I thought it was amazing so Yes, he's had such a pivotal role for for Wales over the years and you know, long that may that continue Now before we start rounding off one more question all or nothing. We've seen it with Arsenal We've seen it with Spurs. We've seen it with Man City Would you be would you be up for a net seeing an AFC Bournemouth one out there anytime soon? You know what? I think it'd make a really good viewing to see the insights of what we what we do each day is Would be would be eye-opening for a lot for a lot of people. So yeah, I'd be I'd be keen for that Maybe we could get Keith O'Souffle and in to play you. I would that go down with the family. They'd love that with Yeah, I tell you what. Yeah, let's do it Now we're gonna come to some supporter questions in a moment, but we've just got five quick fire questions for you favorite match First favorite goal first favorite international moment Scorn at the U.S. Toughest opponent not met him yet. Maybe Yeah, none. That's really We'll come back to that one best player you have played with Garth Bell Toughest opponent. Did you ever come up against Nathan Walker in training at Dorchester? To be fair, I've played against some some very good center afts, but I can't think where I've been I've come away thinking. Oh my god. That was it was amazing We'll come back to that right at the end. I'll have a good thing about that Okay, we're nearly at the end. So you haven't got long. Okay, but I am gonna throw you some supporter questions We put some messages out on Twitter Instagram Facebook to You know sit to allow supporters to ask you some questions that we might not have included Quite quick fire again, I'm gonna ask you one from our AFC be What do you think of your charm? Yeah, I love it. Yeah, I didn't I didn't expect That but yes, you know every time you hear support of singing your name is It's amazing and it gives me, you know goosebumps every time I hear it and you know miss it is quite catchy as well I'm from Callum messy or Ronaldo Ronaldo No hesitation. No hesitation at all. Rob wants to know how it feels to be the best thing to come out of Torquay since 40 towers I'll take that. Yes Yeah, it's a good one to have yeah Matt wants to know when you walk on the pitch you do a movement which almost looks like you throw something up And yeah, can you explain about that or what more specifically what that is? Yeah, so I I Every time I step over the white line to play a game For me, it's about being, you know grateful of of the opportunity I have at that present time and To really it kind of gets me in the zone and I think about stuff I'm thankful for to before I play this game. So I grab a piece of grass Two touches in my chest kiss the grass I'm frightened. So yeah Now we've had a lot of questions From men and women and they're asking why you're so sexy But you didn't win the sexiest player in the Premier League that went to Jack Stacey That must have been a bit of a shot in the eye for you. Yeah, that was a bit of a blow Yeah, to be fair, I think Stacey's buzzing with that by the way non-stop popping on about it Right well, we are at the end. So I'm still gonna ask you for who your toughest opponent is. I Haven't forgotten there For those who don't know when we're recording we've just paid man's just a city and keep them all sat here thinking about Who is toughest opponent? But I felt like I didn't really Yeah I Tell you what maybe maybe back in the day I'll go I've got one of them even though I've played against some internationally renowned center-offs But at that point I felt like he gave me a good a tough game Was it McNulty at tram tram here? Yeah, yeah Yeah, I remember playing against him and Yeah, you give me a good girl There you go. That's some accolade that isn't it Neil Well, he's the guy he always used to get ridiculed for for his appearance didn't he but like you said he was a fearsome opponent, wasn't he? Yeah, he was yeah, he's You know for he's quite a big guy, but he was he's very good in you know Reading movements and and being quite aggressive as well. So there you go. Well, there we go Keifa we've thoroughly enjoyed having you here on the official FC Bournemouth podcast Thank you for taking the time to come in and chat. We've had some brilliant stories in and really enjoyed your company. Thank you Now if you've enjoyed listening to our podcast We'd absolutely love it if you could like and subscribe on whatever platform you're listening on We'd also be really grateful for any shares on social media So that other fans be at FC Bournemouth related or the general football fan can enjoy it, too I thanks again to Keifa Moore and from Neil Perrett and myself Zoe Rundle Thank you for tuning in to the official a FC Bournemouth podcast You