An angry Keith Hill has blasted the fast-starting Cherries for their financial difficulties of the past, and called for stiffer penalties for clubs who go into administration. Nick Bishop reports.

The Rochdale boss has reiterated his controversial stance on clubs, like Bournemouth, who have faced administration. Specifically he believes that cash-strapped sides actually benefit from administration and should be punished with relegation.

In an interview on Bournemouth’s official website, Hill said: “I’m sick of seeing sympathy for clubs who go into financial difficulty.

"They find themselves in difficulty through overspending, recreate themselves under a different name, then get on with business as usual and try and get promoted.”

Hill's outburst began during a heated pre-match press conference before his side’s 4-0 victory against the League Two leaders at Dean Court on 31 October. His criticism was aimed at young boss Eddie Howe and the squad he has assembled at South Coast club, following administration.

“Eddie [Howe] has a squad built on money the club never had. They overspend. I do have an objection to any club that goes into administration and in the process builds a squad capable of promotion,” he told Rochdale's official website.

The Dale boss then went on to call for harsher punishments for clubs that do slip into administratio.

“Punishments should be harsher with automatic relegation the penalty.”

But Bournemouth have refuted the claims that administration benefitted the Cherries in any way. Club spokesman Mick Cunningham told ExtraFootie exclusively:

“We went into administration because it was the only way to save the football club.”

“Bournemouth went through a hellish period. A 10 point deduction saw us relegated from League One, and we were hit with a further 17 points next season. The club only just survived,”

“I wouldn’t wish that situation on anyone. I certainly hope it doesn’t happen to Rochdale,” added Cunningham.

Bournemouth have endured financial trouble since the 1990s. The club entered administration last February and hefty points deductions in successive seasons saw them drop out of League One and then almost drop out of the Football League altogether. It took the club until December 2008 to reach a positive points tally and they looked doomed to non-league obscurity.

But the astute appointment of rookie coach Eddie Howe was a masterstroke and the 31-year-old somehow managed to rescue the strugglers. Survival was clinched with their last home game of 2008/09 campaign.

The clearly riled Hill wasn't content with just upsetting Bournemouth's applecart however - he also aimed a fiery assault at Stockport County for: “Getting promoted and then going into administration. I’m sick of it continually happening,” he said.

The outspoken supremo also believes that teams that operate in the black are unfairly treated, and that there is far too much money being spent in football.

“Without a question teams that spend sensibly like Rochdale are at a disadvantage.

"We don’t get any accolades for what we’re doing – spending wisely, spending within our budget. There is too much overspend in football,” he said.

Yet his comments appear a little ill advised given the reality of the situation at Bournemouth. The Cherries currently have a very small squad that does not hint at reckless transfer spending. Against Rochdale, injuries meant Howe could name only four substitutes too.

Furthermore, the signings that have been made by the club have been predominantly freebies or for negligible fees, from lesser outfits.

Howe has brought back club legend Steve Fletcher from Crawley Town for instance, and there have been three other signings from Grays Athletic, Salisbury City and Weymouth. Granted, those three players were on loan to Bournemouth while the club were in administration, but the club has since changed ownership in a bid to put its long running financial nightmare well and truly in the past.

For two decades, shoestring budgets have forced the club to sell their best players to stay afloat. Recent high profile departures include hitman James Hayter, sold for £200,000 to Doncaster.

Unsurprisingly Bournemouth’s problems are a result of years of financial mis-mangement behind the scenes. Current owners the Murry Group, who took over this year, are saddled with long overdue debts. They are now in a race against time to pay off a £180,000 tax bill due this month. Cunningham says the board are, “doing their level best to meet the payments.”

Being in the financial mire is nothing new for The Cherries faithful however. The club has teetered on the brink of meltdown many times. Famously, they were just minutes from collapse in 1997, but somehow scrambled through to safety.

Current boss Eddie Howe has dismissed the recent criticism aimed at the club however.

“Keith Hill’s comments didn’t have an effect on me. People are welcome to their opinions, even if they’re not in full view of the facts and figures,” he told the club’s official website.

“All we can do is concentrate on us and I certainly won’t be delving into any other club’s dealings,” he said.