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It is widely acknowledged that walking football allows people to continue playing the game they love even after retirement. However, for John Blake, getting involved with AFC Bournemouth’s walking football team turned out to be more than just a game — it was lifesaving.

BOURNEMOUTH were well-beaten by South Wilts as they fell to a nine-wicket defeat in the Southern Premier Division.

New Cherries boss Marco Rose sat down with the Daily Echo at the end of the club’s pre-season training camp for an extended interview.

The Cherries confirmed their second signing of the summer this weekend as António Silva joined the club from Benfica, but who is the centre-back and what could he bring to the club?

THE Cherries continue their pre-season preparations in their only friendly in Dorset this summer, as they host Genoa at the club’s performance centre this afternoon in a behind-closed-doors game.

THE Cherries have appointed Nicolas Gagnon to Marco Rose’s backroom staff as a set-piece coach for the upcoming campaign.

The draw for the final round of qualifying for the Europa League has been made, with the winners of the 12 playoff ties heading into the league phase, where they could meet the Cherries.

The Cherries development squad secured silverware as they beat Real Sociedad in the final to win the 28th edition of the Tournoi Europeen in France.

Ruby White’s dream of Commonwealth Games gold narrowly eluded her in Glasgow, but the Dorset “Pocket Rocket” still returned home with a richly deserved silver medal after a gripping women’s flyweight (51kg) final.

All the latest results from Dorset Cricket League games on Saturday, August 1

WILL Cairns just missed out on the final of the Speedway Grand Prix 2 in Lodz, as he finished second in a last chance qualifier.

The Cherries might look to sign a second centre-back this summer after Veljko Milosavljevic picked up an injury before the U19 European Championships.

Alvaro Rodriguez has not seen a squad as good as the Cherries since his time with the Real Madrid first team, and the striker, who enjoyed ‘the best year of his life’ last term, believes they will score a lot of goals this season.

The Cherries have agreed a deal for right-back Juanlu Sanchez with Sevilla worth £11.1 million, according to reports.

THE Cherries have a shortlist of five right-backs they are looking to sign, which includes Sevilla’s Juanlu, as the club seeks to bring in a replacement for Alex Jimenez, the Daily Echo understands.

Pirates tasted defeat for the first time in the Championship this season at Plymouth but kept the scoreline close to put them in a good position to claim the aggregate point in the return fixture at Wimborne Road.