Boscombe St. John’s Institute FC. Yes, that was the name with which the club had started their footballing journey back in 1890 after which it was changed thrice to finally settle down with AFC Bournemouth. That was in 1972.
As Boscombe FC, the club initially dwindled itself in junior league football tournaments and then graduating to senior amateur.
In 1913-14 season, the Cherries, as they are better known as, competed in the FA Cup. After the First World War, the club started off with the Division Three of the then Football League. It was just around that time that the club name was changed to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic FC. They remained part of the Third Divison for the longest ever and the record stands till date, until the second World War came to an end which witnessed the Cherries winning the Third Division South Cup.
Under Harry Redknapp, the club, then known as AFC Bournemouth, stepped into the Second Division for the first time in 1987. But they could hardly manage themselves there. Untill the 2013-14 season, their best finish remained 12th.
The Cherries witnessed quite a few managers bring changed but things barely made a shift at Bournemouth. Division Two remained their place with 2008 being the worst hit. 10 points were deducted owing to administrative issues and the already faltering Bournemouth side slipped further towards the jaws of relegation. And eventually they did.
With the drafting in of Eddie Howe as a manager in 2009 the club somehow breathed back to life when they finished second in the League Two stage with still two more games to go. But Howe left soon after the club’s promotion to join Burnley and things were left up to Lee Bradbury, who successfully led his side to League One play-offs but couldn’t guide them through.
Howe came back in 2012 after the sacking of Paul Groves and the club literally revived itself. They were promoted to the second-tier of the English Football for the first time in 12 years. And huffing and puffing its way through the Cherries made it to their first ever Premier League Stage football. Last season, they finished 16th, keeping their EPL status intact for two successive seasons in a row.
On August 12, AFC Bournemouth are up against West Brom at the Hawthrons.
Founded: 1890
Stadium: Dean Court
Manager: Eddie Howe
Captain: Simon Francis
Best finish: Finish ninth in 2016-17
Last season's position: Ninth
