SAINTS fan Marc Jackson is brimming with optimism about AFC Bournemouth's future after his consortium was declared victorious in the race to buy the troubled club.

Jackson originally appeared to have lost out to the rival bid fronted by Jeff Mostyn, as another day of Dean Court drama unfolded yesterday afternoon.

Administrators Begbies Traynor initially issued a statement confirming Mostyn as the successful bidder.

However, this was later retracted by the Leeds-based firm, with Jackson's group given the green light later in the afternoon.

It is believed this took place after Begbies Traynor had sought "further clarification" from Mostyn's consortium, before confirming the Cherries chairman's bid had "lapsed".

Jackson said: "Our consortium is delighted we have secured the ownership of AFC Bournemouth.

"Our hopes for the football club are visionary, strategic and sustainable, and will protect the long-term future of the football club.

"We will be holding a press conference as soon as possible at which our plans will be revealed in full.

"We ask all Cherries fans, whom we consider to be the lifeblood of the football club, for their ongoing, valued support."

Jackson also offered some good news to the club's supporters, outlining his intention to keep hold of star striker Sam Vokes, the Southampton-born and Lymington-raised teenager who has long been linked with a move away from Dean Court.

"As far as I'm concerned, he is totally in my plans," he said.

"We don't want to lose him. We don't need to sell players at all. If a player wants to go, it's different.

"We see Sam as having great potential."

Another person in his long-term plans seems to be head of youth Joe Roach.

"Joe Roach 100 per cent is a diamond," said Jackson.

"I know how many clubs in the country covet him. I appreciate everything he does."

Jackson, who described himself as "absolutely elated", would not confirm the future of ex-Dell defender and former St Mary's coach Kevin Bond and said he intended to hold discussions with the Cherries manager.

Meanwhile, Jackson confirmed that Chris Swan, a Stratford-based entrepreneur, was not part of his group and that a UK-based company was behind the bid.

A Begbies Traynor spokesperson said last night: "Mr Jackson has until the close of play on Monday to lodge the money into a bank account. There will be no further announcements until all the legal documentation has been completed."

Krasner said last night that, once the money had been paid, the time frame would depend on the Football League's decisions.

He said: "We have to wait for the Football League, which normally takes four to six weeks. It may take longer because of the Leeds United arbitration.

"Until they make a decision, we can't transfer the Football League share. Until then, I'm the administrator and I just carry on as before, but now the new consortium is funding me."

Jackson last week split from Mostyn's consortium over apparent "contractual reasons", before the pair lodged separate bids ahead of Monday's creditors' meeting.

Jackson was in the headlines last summer after it was reported he was involved in a potential bid to link Saints with Dubai Capital, the investment arm of the Dubai government.