Dean Court was the Fitness First Stadium for a while but is back to Dean Court again. Photo © 2007 Ciderspace

Although their first season in the Football League required re-election to survive through to a second they then remained in Division Three South and Division Three for a record number of consecutive seasons, right through to 1969-70. After decades of going nowhere, either up or down, the beginning of the Seventies saw a flurry of excitement, relegated in 1970 but promoted again in 1971. In the F.A. Cup Round One replay The Cherries recorded an 8-1 victory over Oxford City , with Ted MacDougall scoring six, only to come up against Yeovil Town at Dean Court in Round Two. 11,583, the biggest gate of the season, saw a Cliff Myers header send The Glovers into the Third Round. In an unconnected event Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic renamed themselves AFC Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were relegated again in 1975 and were still in the basement when Alec Stock took on his last managerial role from 1979-80. His protégé Dave Webb took over and got The Cherries promoted. After a short interlude from Don Megson, Harry Rednapp took the reins for nine years during which he got them into Division Two in 1987 for the first time in their history - and out again 1990. They remained in Division Three (renamed Division Two) through to 2003 when they were relegated to the bottom division. A single season was enough to bonce back through the play-offs, defeating Lincoln City 5-2 in the Final at the Millennium Stadium.

The last decade or so has seen Bournemouth more in the news for off than on field matters. The club was already struggling financially in the early Nineties, but limped on. However in the 1996-97 season the buffers were hit, the receivers called in, and at one point the club was within a quarter of an hour of folding. A Football Trust Committee rallied supporters and kept The Cherries afloat, eventually taking over the whole club when no one else could be found, forming the first ever Community Club. At the end of the 2000-01 season Bournemouth vacated Dean Court whilst a new ground was built on the same site, returning from Dorchester to Fitness First Stadium in November. It has to said that whilst fans were justifiably proud of their part in saving the club and their ownership of it, all in the financial garden was still not rosy. The stadium remained unfinished and there were debts reputed to be around £5 million. In the summer of 2005 the club defaulted on repaying £250,000 due to the council. A fans' trust running a club sounds idyllic to the average football supporter, but in the real World it doesn't necessarily see the bills paid.

The Cherries were pushed into selling their ground to keep from going into liquidation, and leasing it back. It kept them afloat in the short term, but the drain on their cash flow of meeting the rent meant that they were on a slipperly slope, and a succession of Chairmen and boards failed to turn matters around. Things were soon to get a whole lot worse, and it was a toss up whether they or Luton were the worst run and sickest clubs in the Football League.

Chairman Jeff Mostyn put the club into administration again during February 2008 when the taxman came knocking at their door. He brought in administrator Gerald Krasner, a former Leeds United Chairman, but the period of administration went on and on and on. Mostyn seemed to be trying a Leeds type scam of junking debts and buying the club back himself, but every consortium he was supposdly putting together fell apart, if they ever existed in the first place. Eventually some dubious marketing company, Sport-6, with no discernible assets appeared from somewhere, and Krasner leapt to dump the club in their laps and scarpered pocketing his huge fees. Within months it had gone, the CEO, Alastair Saverimutto, cheerily admitting they had lied through their teeth to the Football League on various issues to get the club's membership share back, leaving a part of that group, Paul Baker, holding the poisoned chalice on his own. Meanwhile Bournemouth were getting points deducted all over the place at an alarming rate, enough to get them relegated out of League One, though they perhaps surprisingly, and probably to the disappointment of the Football League who would have been happy enough to see them disappear off into Non-League and become the Conference's problem, managed to overcome a seventeen point deduction and avoid a second relegation. Baker spent the next six months trying to get rid of the club in his turn, with Mostyn and his ex-deputy chairman Steve Sly back on the scene once again claiming new consortia were around the corner. Eventually they did find someone, the owner of Dorchester Town Eddie Mitchell, to step in. Mitchell hastily divested himself of the Magpies to avoid dual ownership issues by transferring that club to his sons. And that's where the Cherries have now got to, with Mitchell as chairman, and a board made up of his son-in-law Neill Blake, and the Mostyn and Sly combo. Only this week they were up before the Football League again, trying to get a transfer embargo against the club lifted. The response of the Football League, even as filtered through the Bournemouth board's spinning machine, was frosty to say the least, and rightly so. Since junking their debts only eighteen months ago the shambles that is AFCB had, it seems, managed to rack up another million pounds worth of debt in unpaid taxes, rent arrears and other unpaid creditors already. The embargo remains in force.

Interestingly Mitchell, in the statement he released following the meeting with the Football league, stated "....there was never as previously mentioned in the press any other interested parties, offers or deposits put into the club in the required timeframe to keep it afloat" [his emphasis]. Interesting because of course the press weren't making these up to while away a boring afternoon, but simply regurgitating the information his current partners on the board, Mostyn and Sly, were feeding them about more supposed consortia. We have no desire to see any club go under, least of all a potential local rival which could give us another all too scarce derby, but doubt AFC Bournemouth are even close to getting out of the woods yet. To be frank, the current set up has the distinct wiff of another false dawn of undelivered promises.

The full length of the East Stand, about half of which is for away fans. Photo © 2007 Ciderspace

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RECENT RESULTS

15/08/2009	Rotherham United	Home	CCL2	W	1-0	5091		Garry 45
18/08/2009	Aldershot	Home	CCL2	W	1-0	5556		Pearce 48
22/08/2009	Northampton Town	Away	CCL2	L	0-2	4102
29/08/2009	Crewe Alexandra	Home	CCL2	W	1-0	4563		Feeney 51
01/09/2009	Yeovil Town	Home	JPT1	W	2-1	2655		Pitman 45, Connell 66
06/10/2009	Northampton Town	Away	JPT2	L	1-2	1718		Hollands 33

FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name	LGE	FAC	FAT	LGC	CC	Total
Brett Pitman	1	0	0	1	0	2
Danny Hollands	0	0	0	1	0	1
Anton Robinson	1	0	0	0	0	1
Mark Molesley	1	0	0	0	0	1
Ryan Garry	1	0	0	0	0	1
Jason Pearce	1	0	0	0	0	1
Liam Feeney	1	0	0	0	0	1
Alan Connell	0	0	0	1	0	1

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 5556, vs Aldershot, 18/08/2009
Lowest League Attendance: 4563, vs Crewe Alexandra, 29/08/2009
Average League Attendance: 5070

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	1		Games Without Defeat:	1
Games Without A Home Defeat:	3		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	5		Games Without A Score Draw:	5
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	5		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	1		Home Results Sequence:	WWW
Away Results Sequence:	WL		Overall Results Sequence:	WWWLW

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The temporary South Stand, which was for away fans, has been dismantled and is no more. Photo © 2007 Ciderspace
Dean Court Kings Park Bournemouth BH7 7AF (Click for map) Telephone Number : 01202 726300 Fax : 01202 726373 Email: admin@afcb.co.uk Chairman : Eddie Mitchell Club Secretary : Neil Vacher Safety Officer : John Steel Media : Mick Cunningham Manager : Eddie Howe Capacity : 9,776 Seated : All seated Covered Terrace : N/A Colours : shirt red with black panels, shorts black, socks black Record Attendance : 28,799 v Manchester United, FA Cup R6, 02/03/1957 Nickname : The Cherries	Ticket Prices : You can buy in advance from Huish Park Ticket Office until 12.00 noon on Tuesday, or on the night at the stadium for this match. Away fans are generally housed in a section of the East Stand (assuming sections of the stadium won't be closed for a JPT fixture). The amount of space allocated is flexible, but usually being 1,200 seats. Adults £10.00; all concessions (over 65 and under 16s) £5.00. There is also the option of a Family Ticket: two adults and two children for £24.00. Any additional children can also be tagged on to that price at £2.00 each. Note that we've had reports of Bournemouth expecting some fairly rigorous proof that people are of a certain age, so if you look borderline and are paying on the night it could be wise to take some strong ID with you. Disabled Info: the facilities are excellent. The stadium has been created from the off with disabled people in mind and there are 25-30 spaces for visiting supporters to be with their fellow away fans. There is parking available (five spaces are dedicated to visiting disabled supporters) and the road built around the stadium is wheelchair friendly. There is a low window at the ticket office. Visiting disabled supporters can use the away section of the East Stand and sit at the front where they like, with good access to the concourse. A toilet is available at all times on the concourse and the food and drink bars are easily accessible. Entry used to be free to disabled persons but now appears to be at concession rates. The Disabled Supporters Liaison Officer is Phillip Tyrell. Phone 07803 090047 or email philnliz1@ntlworld.com. You are advised to contact Phil in advance should you require a parking space.
The East Stand section allocated to away fans Photo © 2007 Ciderspace

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Parking

The club has its own large car park. There is also a council Pay & Display car park in Kings Park. There is a £60.00 fine for persons without a valid car park ticket, and this is enforced. Getting out of the stadium car parking makes the exit from Huish Park seem like the twinkling of an eye in comparison.

The North Stand behind the goal for home fans Photo © 2007 Ciderspace

By Rail

In the old days you could have popped up from Yeovil Junction to Templecombe, then down on the Somerset & Dorset, one of the most beautiful railway lines in the country - though not so good for those in a hurry. Unfortunately the S&D was closed down in 1966.

Given Yeovil and Bournemouth are only just over 50 miles apart travelling by train is a bit of a pain. There are various options, but the journey time is around two to over three hours depending on the choice made. Quickest in terms of time is from Pen Mill down to Dorchester West on Wessex Trains, walk across to Dorchester South, and then on to Bournemouth by Southwest Trains.
Alternatively going from Yeovil Junction you can change at Salisbury, but have to change again at Southampton Central, or go up as far as Basingstoke and change for Bournemouth there.

For those coming down from London the service to Bournemouth is out of Waterloo - and generally excellent.

The nearest train station to the stadium is Pokesdown, which is roughly a mile from the ground and around 15 minutes walk away. However not a lot stops there. Bournemouth Central is the more likely terminus, and it's around a half hour walk to the ground.
From Pokedown exit the station (you can't go wrong, there is only one exit) and turn right down the main Christchurch Road (A35). Proceed about 400 yards and then turn right onto Gloucester Road. Keep walking and you'll eventually reach Fitness First Stadium.
From Bournemouth Central leave the station by the South exit, opposite an Asda Supermarket. Turn left and walk down to the main Holdenhurst Road. Turn left (away from the town centre) and then keep straight on along Holdenhurst Road for around 25 minutes, passing (or stopping at!) the Queens Park (see below) pub. Past the pub carry on until you reach a roundabout. There turn right into Kings Park Drive. The ground is down the bottom of this road on the left.

By Coach

GWSC depart Yeovil Bus Station at 4.45 p.m. and from Huish Park at 5.00 p.m.
Booking via Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 or Rich Rendell (evenings only) on 01935 427072.

By Bus

The relevant bus route out from the centre is a circular one: No.33 anti-clockwise; No.34 clockwise. Buses in Bournemouth are Yellow. The other main bus company is the Wilts & Dorset, which tends to concentrate on rural routes and is not yellow.

Taxis

A selection of Bournemouth taxi companies can be found here.

The Main (West) Stand at the ground Photo © 2007 Ciderspace

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No breweries in Bournemouth or Poole, but Ringwood is just up the road and has, as it moves into its second quarter-century, an expanding reputation as well as an expanding output. Definitely a regional brewer rather than a micro-brewer these days at over 30,000 barrels a year. Ringwood Brewery. Best, Fortyniner and Old Thumper are the staples, with additional seasonal beers added to the range at the appropriate times.
Hall & Woodhouse of Blandford St Mary are unlikely to need any introduction to West Country folk. Brewing since 1777, 'Badger' beers including the famed Tanglefoot are something of an institution. In 2000 they bought up the Horsham brewery of King & Barnes and have maintained beers under that badge, though aficionados feel the individuality of the Sussex ales has been lost in the process. Badger Ales.

Club Bar :

The ground has a pub/bar called The Cherry Tree built in to it, but on previous visits this was home fans only, with entry controlled by the showing of tickets for the home areas.

Local Pubs :

Portman Hotel: Second closest pub, across the park and just over the railway line. We presume it's still there though the name 'Portman' seems to have disappeared from Yellow Pages. Doesn't look much from the outside, but belies its appearance and is a friendly venue for home and away fans alike. Has a range of mainstream ales and does food. Has Sky, and is reputed to offer live music on occasion. Portman Hotel, 97, Ashley Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH1 4LT. Tel: 01202 304972. Map: Click Here.

Queens Park Hotel: Closest pub to the stadium, up on the dual carriageway, and welcomes away fans as well as home. Has a lounge and a public bar. Serves Ringwood Best as well as Flowers and the expected lagers and keg. Food on matchdays is more restricted than at other times - rolls and snacks. Has Sky Sports, and a beer garden for fine weather. There is pool, but the table gets covered on matchdays. Queens Park Hotel, 482, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 9AR. Tel: 01202 720096. Map: Click Here.

Sir Percy Florence Shelley: Typical Wetherspoon in Boscombe's main street. About fifteen minutes walk from the stadium. Opening times under the new laws are : Sunday – Thursday 9.00 a.m. – midnight; Friday - Saturday 9.00 a.m. – 1.00 a.m. has a child certificate and outside area. There is another Wetherspoon - The Moon in the Square - in town, much further from the ground. Sir Percy Florence Shelley, 673-675, Christchurch Street, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH7 6AA. Tel: 01202 300197. Map: Click Here.

The Dolphin: Large redbrick outlet on the way from the railway station to the stadium. Has had a number of refurbishments and change of management in recent years. Standard drinks range and food. Has Sky and pool. About ten minutes walk from the ground. The Dolphin, 316, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8AY. Tel: 01202 396673. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Still Hampshire as far as I'm concerned, but officialdom reclassified Bournemouth into Dorsetshire in 1974. Thus grudgingly one had to accept they were part of God's Own West Country. However in 1995 Bournemouth and Poole acquired unitary authority status and ceased to form part of the County of Dorset. So basically they can p*ss off - bl**din' Eastenders.

Top-Tip :

Not really got one. Football League Trophy (JPT) Round One, who gives a........

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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