BOURNEMOUTH will always hold a special place in Anton Robinson’s heart.

But the busy midfielder is ready to put his old club to the sword at the Galpharm tomorrow as Huddersfield Town aim to keep their League I promotion bid firmly on track by picking three points against the Cherries.

One-time Millwall junior Robinson joined Town in August after enjoying two-and-a-half upwardly mobile years with the South coast club after former boss Eddie Howe signed him from non-league Weymouth.

He helped them escape a drop out of the Football League despite a 17-point deduction, then win promotion from League II, then make last season’s League I play-offs.

Bournemouth, of course, lost out to Town in a thrilling semi-final second leg which went to penalties after finishing 3-3 after extra time – one of four draws in as many meetings between the pair last time around.

Robinson, who missed one of the spot kicks as Town won the shoot-out 4-2, is one of nine members of the starting XI in that game to have departed (he played 119 times, scoring 10 goals before signing a three-year deal with Town in a reported £250,000 transfer).

Donal McDermott, who was on loan from Manchester City, is among his Town teammates while Rhoys Wiggins and Danny Hollands are both at League I leaders Charlton and Adam Smith, who was on loan from Tottenham, with MK Dons.

Jason Pearce, red carded at the Galpharm, is at Portsmouth, Liam Feeney at Millwall and Danny Ings is playing under Howe at Burnley, while Steve Lovell has hung up his boots.

The big change around in personnel has had its effect, with Lee Bradbury’s side making a sluggish start to this season.

But the arrival of Russian businessman Maxim Demin, who made his fortune from the petrochemical industry, at Dean Court (now known as the Seward Stadium) has provided a pick-me-up and the Cherries have climbed out of the relegation zone to 16th on the back of a run of five league games without defeat.

They head North with genuine hopes of earning a first win over Town in 20 meetings – their last was clinched by Efan Ekoku’s goal at Leeds Road in January 1993 – and Robinson knows he and his teammates face a tough test.

“It’s taken some time to settle this season, which is no surprise given the number of new faces there, but Bournemouth have some very good players and are picking up some decent results,” said the 25-year-old, who won England semi-professional honours while at Weymouth.

“I’m hoping to get the nod to play because it’s a game I’ve been looking forward to, and it will be good to see a few old friends.

“Bournemouth were brilliant for me, because they gave me a second chance in league football and we enjoyed some success with a great group of lads.

“The club was in turmoil when I joined, having had the points deducted after financial problems, but we managed to stay in the league, then win promotion the season after.

“The progress continued last season, when we got to the play-offs, and I hope they can continue to move upwards, although obviously not at our expense.

“This is my club now, and we are all confident we can achieve our objective of playing in the Championship.”

Third-placed Town, of course, are aiming to bounce back from their 2-0 loss at Charlton, who head to Walsall tomorrow defending a seven-point lead over second-placed Sheffield Wednesday (away to Oldham) and an eight-point advantage over Lee Clark’s side.

“We were all disappointed by the defeat at Charlton, but we know there wasn’t too much between the teams, particularly in the second half.

“The form we had shown previously provides confidence and belief and we have a huge amount of character.”

After two blank weekends, Robinson, who is eyeing a 17th Town appearance, is looking forward to a ‘normal’ Saturday afternoon.

“It’s been strange, because you are so used to working towards that 3.00 kick-off,” he added.

“We’ve been able to recharge the batteries, but we’re all ready to go again.

“But it’s probably been even worse for the fans, which only adds to our desire to give them a win to celebrate.”