Founded:
1899
Stadium:
Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth
Manager:
Andoni Iraola
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AFC Bournemouth, also known as the Cherries, has a fascinating history marked by incredible highs and challenging lows. The club’s journey from its humble beginnings to establishing itself as a competitive force in the English Premier League (EPL) is a testament to resilience, determination, and the passion of its supporters. This article traces the club’s origins, key moments, and its current status in English football.
AFC Bournemouth was founded in 1899 as Boscombe St. John’s Institute Football Club. The club’s early years were spent in local leagues, and it wasn’t until 1923 that they joined the Football League’s Third Division (South) under the name Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club. The club’s nickname, the Cherries, is thought to have been inspired by the cherry orchards that once surrounded their original home ground and by their red and black team colours.
During the early years, the club struggled to achieve significant success, often finishing in the lower half of the table. However, they managed to secure their place in the Football League and gradually built a reputation as a determined and hard-working side.
After World War II, AFC Bournemouth, like many clubs, faced financial difficulties and inconsistency on the pitch. The club remained in the lower divisions of English football for several decades. Despite these challenges, Bournemouth maintained a loyal fan base and a strong community presence.
The club’s fortunes began to change in the 1970s under the management of John Bond, who led Bournemouth to their first-ever promotion to the Third Division in 1971. This period marked the beginning of a slow but steady rise through the English football pyramid.
One of the most significant periods in AFC Bournemouth’s history was under the management of Harry Redknapp. Redknapp took over as manager in 1983, and his impact was immediate. In the 1986-87 season, he led Bournemouth to their first-ever promotion to the Second Division, marking the club’s highest league position at the time. This achievement was highlighted by a memorable FA Cup run in 1984, where Bournemouth famously knocked out then-defending champions Manchester United.
Redknapp’s tenure helped raise the profile of the club, although financial difficulties and inconsistency on the pitch continued to plague Bournemouth, leading to relegation back to the Third Division in the early 1990s.
The late 1990s and early 2000s were challenging times for AFC Bournemouth. The club faced severe financial difficulties, which eventually led to administration in 2008. At one point, the Cherries were handed a 17-point deduction in League Two, the fourth tier of English football, for breaching financial rules. Relegation to non-league football seemed inevitable.
However, under the management of Eddie Howe, a former Bournemouth player who took over as manager in 2009, the club staged an incredible fightback. Howe guided Bournemouth to safety in the 2008-09 season, avoiding relegation against all odds. This remarkable achievement laid the foundation for one of the most extraordinary success stories in English football.
Eddie Howe’s impact on AFC Bournemouth cannot be overstated. After securing the club’s Football League status, Howe led the Cherries to promotion from League Two in the 2009-10 season. His tactical acumen and ability to get the best out of his players quickly made Bournemouth one of the most exciting teams in the lower divisions.
After a brief spell away from the club, Howe returned in 2012 and continued his remarkable work. In the 2014-15 season, Bournemouth won the Championship, securing promotion to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history. This achievement was extraordinary given the club’s near-collapse just a few years earlier.
Bournemouth’s arrival in the Premier League in 2015 marked a new chapter in the club’s history. With one of the smallest budgets in the league and the smallest stadium, Vitality Stadium, with a capacity of just over 11,000, many expected Bournemouth to struggle. However, under Howe’s guidance, the Cherries defied the odds, finishing 16th in their debut season and securing their Premier League status.
Bournemouth continued to punch above their weight in the Premier League, with their attacking style of play and never-say-die attitude earning them respect and admiration from fans and pundits alike. The club achieved its highest-ever finish in the Premier League in the 2016-17 season, finishing 9th.
However, after five years in the top flight, Bournemouth was relegated to the Championship at the end of the 2019-20 season. The club’s relegation marked the end of an era, with Eddie Howe leaving his role as manager after an incredible 11 years in charge across two spells.
Following their relegation, Bournemouth faced the challenge of rebuilding and adapting to life in the Championship. The club appointed Jason Tindall, Howe’s long-time assistant, as manager, but after a mixed start to the 2020-21 season, Tindall was replaced by Jonathan Woodgate. Woodgate guided Bournemouth to the Championship play-offs, but they were defeated in the semi-finals by Brentford.
In the summer of 2021, Bournemouth appointed Scott Parker as manager, with the aim of securing promotion back to the Premier League. Parker, who had previously managed Fulham, brought a fresh approach to the team, focusing on a more disciplined and structured style of play.
Parker’s impact was immediate, and Bournemouth enjoyed a strong start to the 2021-22 Championship season. The Cherries maintained their momentum throughout the campaign and secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League, finishing second in the table. The return to the top flight was a testament to the club’s resilience and determination to compete at the highest level once again.
Gary O’Neil spent 12 matches as interim boss of Bournemouth after Scott Parker was sacked.
On June 19, 2023, Andoni Iraola was appointed as the manager of AFC Bournemouth on a two-year deal. His tenure began with a 1–1 home draw against West Ham United on August 12
On May 13, 2024, Iraola extended his contract with Bournemouth until 2026. Under his leadership, the Cherries achieved a club-record 48 points and finished the season in 12th place, their best-ever finish.
Vitality Stadium, formerly known as Dean Court, has been the home of AFC Bournemouth since 1910. Despite being the smallest stadium in the Premier League, it has a unique charm and atmosphere that makes it a special place for the club and its supporters.
Over the years, Vitality Stadium has undergone several renovations to modernize its facilities and increase its capacity, although it remains one of the most intimate grounds in the league. The stadium’s compact nature creates a close connection between the players and the fans, making it a fortress for the Cherries, especially during their time in the Premier League.
Vitality Stadium has witnessed many of the club’s most memorable moments, including their promotion to the Premier League and their victories over some of the biggest teams in English football.
AFC Bournemouth’s journey from a small, struggling club to a Premier League mainstay is a story of resilience, passion, and the unwavering support of its fans. From their early days in local leagues to their remarkable rise under Eddie Howe, and their current status as a competitive force in English football, Bournemouth’s history is a testament to what can be achieved with determination and belief.
As the club continues to build for the future under new management, AFC Bournemouth’s legacy in English football looks set to grow, with the Cherries once again ready to take on the best teams in the country in the Premier League.
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Season: 2024-25
