COACH Stephen Purches believes Josh Wakefield and Josh Carmichael were victims of Cherries’ rapid rise to the Premier League.

Purches reluctantly released the pair when announcing his retained list for the club’s under-21 squad earlier this week.

Midfielders Wakefield and Carmichael both progressed through the Cherries youth ranks having started out as schoolboys at the centre of excellence.

They featured for the first team as teenagers under former boss Paul Groves before becoming part of the club’s newly-formed development squad in 2012.

Poole-born Carmichael, who was capped by Scotland at under-16 level, was handed his debut at 17, coming on as a substitute in Cherries’ 2-0 win at Exeter in League One in September 2011.

He featured in three league games in 2012-13 – including two starts – before going on to serve Welling, Havant & Waterlooville, Gosport and Torquay on loan.

Wakefield made four substitute appearances under Groves in League One and the League Cup in 2012 and had loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge, Welling, Torquay, Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.

The 22-year-old joined Walsall on trial in February and had seemed destined to earn a contract with the Saddlers until former Cherries boss Sean O’Driscoll was relieved of his duties.

Purches, who also released Mason Walsh and Jon Muleba, told the Daily Echo: “It is always difficult to make these decisions.

“The two Joshs had been with us for a long time and have given great service to the club.

“They both played in the first team and experienced the less glamourous side of the club during their early years here.

“They probably felt their careers would be set here, but, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“It would be great to keep lots of the lads around and, if the club hadn’t progressed so far and so quickly, I am sure they would have been knocking on the door.

“We don’t want to stand in the way of their progression. Football is a short career and they have got to make the most of what they have got.

“This is a chance for them to get themselves a career and there are plenty of clubs interested. Hopefully, they can establish themselves in a first team somewhere because they certainly both have the ability.

“With Bournemouth being in the Premier League, other clubs want our players in their squads. Hopefully, that happens for them and Jon and Mason.

“We are not going to be able to get every player into the first team and part of my job is to help create professional footballers and see them continue their careers in the game. We wish the four of them all the best and thank them for their efforts during their time with us.”