Bond discovered that his game fell far below Telfer's standard and handicap but, although Bournemouth's manager would advise Gary McAllister against an 18-hole round with his Scottish compatriot, he would readily recommend the signing of Telfer to Leeds United this summer.

The defender flew to Galway with McAllister's blessing on Monday to add his name to United's touring party in the Republic of Ireland, and the trial he has embarked upon is far removed from the point of retirement which Telfer appeared to have reached last season.

The 37-year-old was six months into a one-year contract with Bournemouth when, shortly before Christmas, he asked Bond and the club's board to cancel his deal and allow him to address a chronic foot injury.

Telfer offered to forego the remainder of the salary he was owed, a gesture which Bournemouth accepted gratefully as the claws of administration closed in on Dean Court. Bond was amazed by the charitable suggestion, and shook Telfer's hand gratefully.

"I've never seen a player do that in all my time in football," Bond said.

"I don't care how rich footballers are or how much money they've earned – it doesn't happen. Paul was the exception to that rule, and his gesture was unbelievable."

It was widely assumed that Telfer's career had run its course, but Bond knew he had merely reached the end of his time with Bournemouth. With a successful operation on his foot behind him, the close season has brought with it a fresh start, handed to him by McAllister.

There are few men with a higher opinion of Telfer than Bond, though McAllister may be one.

United's manager, in Bond's opinion, has acted shrewdly by giving himself the chance to consider the defender's present attributes before any of his managerial counterparts.

He also expects Telfer to be as fit as any of the other players included in United's travelling squad, regardless of the fact that his most recent competitive appearance came in December of last year.

"I've only got one warning for Gary," said Bond. "Don't play Paul on the golf course. He smashes the ball further than anyone I've ever come across.

"Apart from that, this looks like a very shrewd move on Gary's part. Paul's 37-years-old but he's one of these guys who doesn't seem to feel the effects of age. I'd imagine he could play for as long as he wants to.

"It wasn't the case that he was finished when we terminated his contract. In December, he'd come to realise that he needed an operation on his foot, and surgery meant he'd be no use to us for the rest of last season.

"The club was in a bad position financially and he said 'tear up my deal and use the money to sign or pay someone else'. It was an amazing thing to do but I never expected him to retire. He just needed to sort his injury out and, as I understand it, he has.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he's actually the fittest player that Gary has on tour. Whatever condition his squad are in, Paul will probably be on a par with them.

"When he came to us last summer he started training fully 14 days after everyone else. In the first bleep test he did, he was the last player standing. He's no crock."

Telfer's foot injury became a persistent problem at Bournemouth but it was not the result of wear and tear, rather the effect of a bone growth on the joint of one of his toes.

Bond had worked tirelessly to secure Telfer on a free transfer from Celtic in the summer of 2007 – a deal which allowed the defender to return from Glasgow to his family home in Winchester – and the premature end to his time at Dean Court was a source of immense disappointment for Bournemouth's coaching staff.

Telfer's CV was varied and impressive, including appearances in the Champions League while at Celtic and extended periods with Southampton and Coventry City, where he and McAllister were team-mates for several seasons.

The invitation for Telfer to make the trip to Ireland this week has reunited the two Scots some eight years later.

"It took a lot of hard work to get Paul to join us last summer, and it was a fantastic signing," said Bond.

"If I'm being honest – and Paul would say the same, I'm sure – it didn't really work out for him here. His form wasn't always as good as it could have been, but he had his foot problem which we honestly didn't now an awful lot about. He's not a guy who likes to complain.

"His decision to give up his contract showed a lot of respect for our football club. For me, he's a model professional.

"Whether or not Leeds want him for next season is a decision they've got to make, but I don't think they'll regret it if they take him on. I'm just sorry he wasn't able to have a bit longer with us."

Telfer's playing career has moved almost in tandem with the managerial jobs taken up by Gordon Strachan, Leeds United's former midfielder.

Strachan managed Telfer at Coventry and was also responsible for signing him for Southampton and Celtic. It was during his stay at Highfield Road that he received his one and only Scotland cap in a friendly against France at Hampden Park.

Telfer's resume shows more than 500 domestic league appearances, but McAllister's next move will be dictated by the right-back's performance and demeanour during Leeds' tour of Eire.

Their three-match schedule begins tonight against Galway United at Terryland Park, and McAllister is again expected to use a large number of players having fielded a total of 23 against York City last Friday.

An outing for Telfer this evening would provide the first real examination of both his foot and his general fitness.

"Nothing would please me more than to see Paul complete another season with Leeds, or any other club for that matter," said Bond, who saw Telfer's contract terminated after 24 appearances for Bournemouth.

"There was no way he could have carried on with his injury last season, but I'm sure he's still got a few good years ahead of him. I don't think age will be an issue.

"You're talking about a player with vast experience and an excellent pedigree, and I always valued having him around the dressing room. He's quite a studious guy and a very likeable one.

"Gary's experienced enough to make his own call and he'll know Paul well. But he obviously thinks that it's worth a look, and there won't be too many better free transfers available in this league."