AFC Bournemouth AFC Bournemouth was originally founded in 1899 as Boscombe FC before adopting its current name in 1972. The nickname "The Cherries" and the iconic red-and-black striped shirts derive from the cherry orchards that historically bordered the club's ground. For decades, the team navigated the lower tiers of English football, reaching its lowest point in 2008 when it faced liquidation and began its fourth-division campaign with a 17-point deduction.
The club's miraculous turnaround was orchestrated by former player and manager Eddie Howe, who guided the team through the football league hierarchy to secure a historic, first-ever promotion to the Premier League in 2015. Following a brief absence, the club re-established itself in the top flight under Basque manager Andoni Iraola, developing a reputation for dynamic high-intensity pressing. Key figures in this modern era include striker Dominic Solanke, winger Antoine Semenyo, and defender Illia Zabarnyi.
The team plays its home matches at Dean Court, an intimate stadium with a capacity of just over 11,000, making it the smallest venue in Premier League history. Historic club figures include legendary striker Ted MacDougall, who famously scored nine goals in a single FA Cup match in 1971, while the modern era has been shaped by American owner Bill Foley.