| The South Coast
team came into being in 1899, but originally came out of Boscombe St.
Johns, a team formed by voluntary first-aiders, who had been around for
9 years already. Their original ground was on the site of an orchard,
which gave them the nickname of "the Cherries", as these were
their preferred fruit at half-time and their predominantly red strip
followed logically from that. They then prodded into playing at a tiny
ground at Pokesdown before settling at their present ground in 1910,
where as Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic they were elected to the 3rd
Division (South) in 1923. Like many of the elderly residents of the
area, they resided there for longer than anyone else. After the League
had been reorganized, they eventually got out of the Third Division in
1970 - by getting relegated to the Fourth. They yo-yoed between those
two leagues for several years, before achieving the club's best placing
during three seasons in the old Second Division.
The club's
greatest days have been reserved for the FA Cup. In 1957, they had a
great run that saw them beat Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton
Wanderers, major giant-killing feats in those days, to reach the 6th
round, where they lost to Manchester United. The Cherries did get their
revenge though in 1984, when they knocked the Red Devils, then holders,
out of the competition, before a crowd paying record receipts.
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. Now he's back at West Ham,
Bournemouth will have to hope that they can unearth another prolific
goalscorer.
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)
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