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A brief history of AFC Bournemouth
By Nathan Jackson July 22 2008
Bournemouth are a side that don't often move between divisions. It took them more than 30 years change divisions following their first competitive season in 1923, since then it's been mainly a story of mediocrity, financial crisis' and the occasional big result, including an FA Cup victory over Manchester United in the 1980's.
Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic has formed in 1899 played in the third tier of English football from 1923/4 onwards and were often inconsistent in terms of League positions, following successful seasons with relegation battles. They played in the English Third Division (South) from 1923 until 1958, when the North and Southern sections of the Third Division merged.

Their inconsistency was no more evident than when they finished fourth in 1968/9, only to follow that up with a relegation in the following season to the Fourth Division. 12 months later and they were back in Division Three following the second placed finish in 1970/1. It wasn't long before they were relegated again, finishing 21st in 1974/5.

In between that promotion and relegation came the change of name, switching from Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic to AFC Bournemouth in 1972, also converting into their current red and black home kit.

Harry Redknapp was appointed as manager and he is the most successful Bournemouth manager to date. The 1984 FA Cup saw them record a shock win over Manchester United at Dean Court and it wasn't long before they reached Football League Division Two, winning Division Three in 1987. They were relegated again before he left to take on the West Ham United job.

Bournemouth were banned from playing home games on bank holidays following trouble in a game against Leeds United in the early 90s. That lasted 13 years before they faced Shrewsbury on a bank holiday during the 2002/3 season.

The Cherries became regulars in the third tier's midtable, finishing between 14th and 19th in five years running. Their mediocrity ended for a few years before relegation to Division Three in 2001/2. Sean O'Driscoll was the manager at this point and he was under tremendous pressure from the Bournemouth fans to perform.

Bournemouth played a good brand of football in the division and finished in the Playoffs. They faced Bury in the semi-finals, one of only two sides to beat them at the Fitness First Stadium during the regular season. A bore draw at Gigg Lane was followed by a stylish 3-1 victory for Bournemouth in the semi finals and they progressed to the Final. They faced the only other side to beat them at the FFS during the regular season, Lincoln City.

A crowd of over 32,000 attended the final, 18,000 of those supporting the Cherries and they got their wish. Despite losing to the Imps just four weeks previously, Bournemouth were simply too much for Lincoln and ended up beating the Imps 5-2. Bournemouth were back in Division 2.

Bournemouth failed to make the Playoffs in the following two seasons, but that period saw James Hayter set a new Football League record. He scored three goals in 140 seconds against Wrexham to complete the League's fastest ever hat-trick. However, Bournemouth started to decline after this, especially when Sean O'Driscoll left and he was placed by Kevin Bond.

Bond has surprisingly been allowed to stay in his job despite a poor record as manager and he has overseen two relegation battles in his only two seasons, eventually getting the club relegated last season, that despite winning 17 games, more than 1/3 of those coming in the final seven games of the season.

Bournemouth will now compete in League Two in the 2008/9 season.

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