Partington, who played 59 times for AFC Bournemouth after joining the youth setup from Portsmouth, [takes on the role from John ‘Willo’ Williams who hung up his microphone after a near 40-year association with the club.](https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/25184825.john-willo-williams-finish-afc-bournemouth-bbc-radio-career/?ref=cprfa)
He told the Daily Echo he was ‘incredibly excited’ to get started on Friday night as the Cherries head to Liverpool to begin the Premier League season.
“They’re huge shoes to fill as Willo obviously has done such a wonderful job of articulating the game for people listening on the radio for so long,” Partington said.
“But I suppose from my perspective of having a playing career, it's a great way of staying in the game once playing finishes and obviously being close to and connected to a club that I've always cared about and hopefully being able to, as Willo did for so long, bring memorable moments to people listening over the radio.”
Partington, who is already a regular contributor to Solent, said he was grateful to Willo for his advice and help when working with him on the radio.
“Even from watching the highlights of games, being a player myself and obviously having a couple of moments that were spoken about on the radio, his voice was there then,” Partington said.
“Obviously it's been a prominent voice through throughout Bournemouth's recent, in the last 10, 15 years, in their success.
“So, I'm well aware, obviously, of people's sentiments towards Willo and how much people really appreciate him and love listening to his voice.”
Partington added that Willo had played a key part in bringing commentary of some of the club’s biggest moments to people – and he’s looking forward to playing a part in historic moments to come.
He said: “Certainly Willo is leaving a huge legacy and I'm happy to be the person to carry that on.”
The midfielder-turned-defender made his Cherries debut aged 17 and scored his first goal against Swansea as an 18-year-old and he featured in the side when Eddie Howe made his managerial debut.
He reflects fondly on his time at the club, while admitting that his playing career with the Cherries was ‘somewhat underwhelming’, but heralds Howe as the key figure in the club’s progression, even now.
“Everybody always speaks to me about the Swansea moment, that was pretty cool,” he said.
_(Image: Bournemouth Echo)_ “I managed to score on my first ever start, at home to Bury and they were actually coincidentally the only two goals that I did score for Bournemouth.
“It played a great, great part of my life, so many people from that era of Bournemouth have gone on to be so successful.”
Looking to the season to come, Partington can’t wait to get going.
“Bournemouth \[have\] set themselves such a high bar off the back of last season and for somewhat most of it, people anticipated that they may be able to step into those European places,” he said.
“So even though that may be the dream goal this season, losing some of their best players to some of the best clubs in the world, which sort of shows a measure of where Bournemouth have got to in terms of their recruitment, it's now a huge season of trying to sustain the level in which they've set themselves, really.
_(Image: Bournemouth Echo)_ “And can they get rid of athletes that are now signing for Real Madrids and Liverpools and replace them with other players that may be able to keep the club at the same level.
“It'll be very interesting, obviously, seeing how the guys do.
“I can't wait to see how the season unfolds and what's in store for everybody, not only going to the games, but listening on the radio and anybody around the world with an attachment to Bournemouth.”
The Cherries begin their Premier League campaign on Friday, August 15 against Liverpool at Anfield, kick off at 8pm.