AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth is a professional football club based in the coastal town of Bournemouth, Dorset. Widely known as "The Cherries" for their distinctive red-and-black striped kits, the team has established itself as a resilient and entertaining presence in the English Premier League.
Founded in 1899 as Boscombe FC, the club underwent several name changes—becoming Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in 1923 before settling on AFC Bournemouth in 1972. The nickname "The Cherries" is tied both to their vibrant red shirts and the historic cherry orchards that once bordered their home ground, Dean Court (currently known as the Vitality Stadium). Despite playing in one of the Premier League's most intimate venues, the stadium remains famous for its intense atmosphere.
Bournemouth’s modern era is considered one of the most remarkable fairy tales in English football history. Spending most of their existence in the lower leagues, the club hit rock bottom in 2008, narrowly avoiding liquidation while starting the season with a 17-point deduction in the fourth tier. Under the guidance of manager Eddie Howe, the Cherries launched an incredible meteoric rise, earning three promotions in six seasons to reach the top flight for the first time in 2015.
Today, Bournemouth continues to defy expectations in the top tier, while maintaining a fierce regional rivalry with Hampshire neighbors Southampton in the South Coast Derby.
Major Honours & Achievements
| Competition |
Titles / Promoted |
Key Years |
| EFL Championship (Tier 2 Champions) |
1 |
2014–15 (Runners-up: 2021–22) |
| EFL League One (Tier 3 Champions) |
1 |
1986–87 (Runners-up: 2012–13) |
| EFL League Two (Tier 4 Runners-up) |
- |
1970–71, 2009–10 |
| EFL Trophy (Associate Members' Cup) |
1 |
1983–84 (Runners-up: 1997–98) |
