Two years ago Steve Hard, then Head Physiotherapist at AFC Bournemouth, officially opened a new state of the art health and wellbeing clinic in Christchurch.

Now events have gone full circle with Steve agreeing to join the clinical team at Bridge Health & Wellbeing after being released by the club.

His decision has delighted owners Paul and Louise O’Connell who said they were “thrilled” to bring his skills to their Bridge Street clinic.

Steve spent six years at Millwall before joining AFC Bournemouth in the summer of 2006.

In a statement issued at the time of his departure from the club in June, AFC Bournemouth said: “Working for the club during what was a difficult financial period in its history, Hard was a one-man medical department for a time, and was inventive and resourceful to ensure the players received the best medical treatment.

“From the depths of the Football League to the half-a-decade in the top flight, Hard was there every step of the way on the club’s remarkable journey.”

Steve, who has a Masters degree in Exercise and Sports Medicine (Football) at the University of Birmingham, has been involved in more than 700 league and cup matches.

He is a father of three teenage children, has a love for music and wine and is regularly in the gym to keep fit.

At Bridge Health and Wellbeing he’ll use his sports medicine skills to design and administer treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Steve started at Bridge Health & Wellbeing on September 8.