Clarets swoop on the south coast
Last updated : 17 May 2005 By Tony Scholes
 | Wade Elliott |
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The two players, both aged 26, were at Turf Moor today to have medicals and complete the formalities and both have agreed three year deals from 1st July at the end of their current contracts with the Cherries.
Elliott is a player who many Burnley fans took note of after his performance against us in the FA Cup back in January when he led Mo Camara a merry dance at times in a game we were very fortunate to win.
O’Connor was also in the Bournemouth side that day and Steve Cotterill has been on their trail ever since with Elliott’s name in particular having been at the forefront of much speculation.
Southampton born Elliott has been with Bournemouth since early 2000 when they paid non-league Bashley £5,000 for his services. He’s been a regular in their side since and in just over five years has featured in over 250 league and cup games.
O’Connor, like his namesake at Burnley, is Dublin born and he arrived at Dean Court just four months after Elliott, signing on a free transfer in the summer of 2000 from Dublin club Bohemians.
 | Garreth O'Connor |
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The attacking midfield playmaker has also been a regular in Sean O’Driscoll’s side and has played in over 200 games for them. Last season proved to be a successful one for him as a goalscorer too, he hit the net 14 times throughout the season, all but one of them in the league and was Bournemouth’s second highest scorer.
The Bournemouth fans are not happy at the news. One fan said of Elliott, “You’ll be sorely missed, you mazy runs have provided us with so much entertainment. All the best and good luck.”
And of O’Connor he added, “Again what a loss, a massive talent and great potential. An Ireland cap should be on the way soon and again all the best and good luck.”
Another Bournemouth fan told Clarets Mad, “You don’t know how luck you are, our most creative players have moved to you,” whilst another added, “Bitterly disappointed but I guess that's what happens when we screw up our promotion bid. I think that both are more than capable of holding their own at Championship level. Hope they do well for you.”
Clarets Mad would like to thank Burnley Football Club for the use of the photographs of the two new signings.
