AFC Bournemouth – Unreliable History, Club Records and Information

It was felt that the club name was too long, so in 1971, it was abbreviated to AFC Bournemouth in an attempt to put them first in any alphabetical listing of league clubs. However, this proved rather controversial because the part of their name that was dropped was that where the ground was located. Many away fans have been disappointed down the years, as they have headed for Bournemouth only to have to ask directions from the old folk traipsing up and down the promenade all day.

History also visited Bournemouth in 1971 in another form, when during the club’s record 11-0 FA Cup victory over non-league Margate, forward Ted McDougall, scored 9 (NINE) of those goals himself. The only other item of note that has involved the club of late is the fact that it is the first community club in Europe. This occurred when Bournemouth came within 15 minutes of extinction, due to debts that had built up. A financial package was arranged with the bank and a consortium of fans (many local businessmen) stepped in to run the club. The change has obviously worked, as the team has gone from strength to strength and for a large part of this season, Mel Machin’s side were pushing for a play-off place. However, the Cherries were pipped for promotion, but did get through to an Autoscreen Trophy final against Grimsby Town at Wembley, although any hopes they had of winning were wiped out by the Mariners.  It is hoped their crop of good youngsters will take their Cherries to greater things.

Season 2000-01 saw the Cherries denied a play-off place on the last day of the season, but on loan striker Jermaine Defoe did score in nine consecutive league games to set a post war record.  When he returned to West Ham, Bournemouth hoped that they can unearth another prolific goal-scorer.

They had to wait a while to find Brett Pitman, who propelled them to promotion to League One in 2010, after the club had battled for years against the Tax Man and debtors to become solvent and  reach the play-offs the following season.  The Football First Stadium really did live up to it’s name, as the team played some neat football under young manager Eddie Howe, but when he left for the Burnley boss’ job, they took that style of play on under stand-in manager Lee Bradbury and how !!

Howe’s return to Dean Court saw the team march through League One and then the Championship to reach the promised land of the Premier League in what was a triumph for fan power, the management style and the efforts of the players.  Their style, attacking and direct brought a new vitality to the top flight and also to their stadium, which was renamed after the life and health insurance company.

Eddie Howe established the Cherries in the top flight, but they eventually dropped off the cake into the Championship and the manager went at the same time, leaving them a new challenge to make a Premier League return under Jason Tindall.  

FAMOUS PLAYERS: – Reg Cutler, Ted McDougall, Dean Court, Phil Boyer, Ray Bumstead, Jamie Redknapp, Kevin Bond, Colin Clark.

FAMOUS FANS : – Mel Bush (pop promoter), Stu Francis (former presenter – Crackerjack)