Simon Francis with Adam Smith. _(Image: Richard Crease)_
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SIMON Francis expressed his love for working for the [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) but admitted in his current role he enjoys the job far more outside of the transfer window!
The former Cherries club captain, Francis started working for the recruitment team after retiring, serving as Richard Hughes’ assistant from 2021.
But after Hughes left his role as club technical director to join Liverpool, Francis was promoted into the role in March 2024, starting in the summer of that year.
With one January and two summer transfer windows under his belt, Francis told the Daily Echo he was enjoying his job at the club.
“I enjoy working between the windows rather than when the window’s open, to be honest, it takes a lot of the enjoyment out of it!” he said.
“But it's still the job, it's still work. But I love working for the football club, of course.
“I’m very fortunate to be in this position, having worked with Richard for a long time and then stepping up into the role. I guess the biggest thing is the responsibility that you take on.
“I was Richard's assistant for a long time and as it got closer to him leaving, I took on more of that responsibility.
“So it was a great learning curve and a great transitional period because I knew what was to come. But I think I manage my time really well.”
Francis also said the new Cherries performance centre was a big positive for the recruitment team, since it opened in April.
“It's great that we've got this facility now because when we were at the pavilion before, we were kind of floating around often we'd have meetings in coffee shops or at our houses because the offices weren't there,” he said.
“But now it's a great place to work to have this base here and have everyone on one site. The scouts come over a lot. We've got a big recruitment office.
“We've obviously got the boardroom here. So it's a really good place to work and I think we've shown that over the past couple of years.
“It's been reflected on the pitch, but certainly off the pitch, I feel a big responsibility, but one that I relish.”