Eddie ‘Howdini’: League One, Saints and PFA annoyance…

Champagne Cherries: Dressing room celebrations after 2-0 win over Burton

By Joshua Hoare

AFC Bournemouth dared to dream playing League One football next season, but against all the odds, promotion was achieved on Saturday thanks to goals from Brett Pitman and Alan Connell. Season 2009/10 will go down as one of the Cherries finest, possibly the club’s greatest? and now the reds and gaffer Eddie Howe can look forward to a visit to St.Marys next season to face Southampton.

Its little surprise to know, there were grown men crying at the final whistle on Saturday, as the 1,750 fans who made the long trip up from the south coast invaded the Pirelli Stadium pitch. The players managed to hop into the executive seating area to escape the fans, but stayed outside to celebrate the success for over an hour after the game it is believed. What a fantastic tribute to the supporters, which further symbolises the close-knit togetherness between the fans and players, after all Bournemouth has always been known to be a family club.

Cherry chaps: (From left to right) Jason Pearce, Alan Connell and Brett Pitman

Saturday’s achievement was an exceptional turn of events for the cherries after two years of doom and gloom at the club. The football league have done more hinder than provide hope for the club and this was further echoed this week with the announcement of the PFA League Two Team of Year; evidently not a single Bournemouth player amongst the 16 man squad! Well, I suppose we should not be surprised, accolades do not come around a lot, but it would be nice to recognise the work some of the boys have done this season, considering the circumstances, i.e transfer embargo’s, debt, injuries and so on.

Loyal support: over 1,500 Cherry fans made the trip to Staffordshire

Mobbed: Pitman salutes the fans after his goal sent Cherries up

Brett Pitman has still got a chance to end the season as top goal scorer and he’s currently on 25 league goals for the season, with two games to go, he may just end a terrific season on an almighty high.

Just two games to go, first up Port Vale at Home on Saturday 1st May. Well its been a pleasure following the side on here and I hoped you have enjoyed reading my blog……What a season, hell of a rollercoaster ride….

WE ARE GOING UP……… 😉

C-Day as Howe on verge of ‘legend’ status

Bournemouth vs Burton....will it end in promotion?

By Joshua Hoare – Talking numbers’

TOMORROW will mark Eddie Howe’s seventy-second game in charge of the Cherries, and after eighteen months in charge, Howe’s men are just three points and potentially ninety minutes away from promotion to League One. It will be their first ever visit to the Pirelli stadium to take on Burton Albion.

Few would have predicted the cherries to be in this prominent position come the end of the season and with just three games to go, Howe will want to ensure his side remain focussed ahead of what is a massive game.

The fans will be in full force tomorrow and with over 1,500 due to make the trip up to Staffordshire, its sure to be one almighty atmosphere. This is what football is about, the fairytale stories from despair to jubilation. For whoever you support this blog can relate to how you feel about YOUR side’s season, from overachiever to underachievers or even mid-table mediorcisty….you decide and please comment on what you love about football?

Have a cracking weekend and good luck to whoever you support 😉

Mitchell’s promotion party goes up in smoke

By Joshua Hoare

THIS Saturday was suppose to be the silver lining for AFC Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell, with the Cherries potential promotion at Burton Albion. However the man who has saved the reds from the brink of adminstration and even liquidation won’t be able to attend the match as he is currently stranded in Dubai, due to the volcanic ash chaos!

Stuck in the sun: Chairman Eddie Mitchell will miss Burton clash

Now as a Bournemouth fan, I know pretty well that success dosen’t come round often so such an occasion to witness our promotion to League One, is simply not one to miss, For poor Eddie it is a bitter sweet end to a topsy turvy season on and off the field from financial obscurity to transfer embargos.

If Eddie Howe’s men do gain promotion at Burton, it will end the cherries two year stint in League Two and offer the club a welcomed financial boost. Mitchell’s absence has left him feeling pretty annoyed, yet he says being stuck in the Middle East could have been a lot worse; “I am overlooking the Gulf, the sun is out and it’s 35 degrees here. It’s certainly not too much of a hardship! “We are in a lovely place. But I am missing my work, the club’s work and I would rather be back.” – Quotes courtesy of Bournemouth Echo.

The Cherries head to Burton sitting pretty in the table in 3rd place, eight points clear of fourth place Rotherham and a win will put them up, I personally hope they don’t win (mad I know) as I am going down to watch Bournemouth vs Port Vale on May 1st and would love to see them go up on that day, (Although It might have something to do with a certain bet with my housemate, who happens to support Vale!)

Over 1,500 tickets have been sold for the Burton clash and now Howe’s red and white army will seek to ensure they maintain their strong finish to the season.

Match Prediction: Burton 1-2 Cherries, Pitman to score first (30/1 with Bet365)

Get on it!

Have a great week 🙂

All Time Legend Feature #5: Ted MacDougall

Happy down south: Ted MacDougall scored over 126 times for the Cherries

By Joshua Hoare:

THERE are fewer players who can compare to Ted MacDougall’s goal scoring ability during their footballing playing days. An old-fashioned ‘fox in the box’, MacDougall bagged 126 goals in just 165 appearances for the Cherries. He would later make over 5oo appearances, scoring 256 goals for eight clubs, including seven international caps and three goals for Scotland. 

But it was MacDougall’s spell on the South coast where he made his name. ‘SuperMac’ as he was nicknamed netted forty-two times in the 1970-71 season, with his partnership with Phil Boyer blossoming, the pair helped Bournemouth gain promotion from what was than known as Division Four (now League Two). But the 1971-72 season was where both Boyer and particularly MacDougall began to make the headlines and even history. 

In an FA Cup tie on 20th November 1971, SuperMac hit nine goals in the Cherries 11–0 win over Margate. MacDougall scored five in the first half, at which point the Margate boss jokingly asked for him to be subbed! And another four after the interval. It is and remains the largest-ever individual haul of goals by any player in a FA Cup match. 

So what made SuperMac so great? Well his goals of course and lots of them, but many Cherries fans will remember him for his loyalty to the club especially when few of the big clubs came calling. His transfer to Manchester United in 1972 for what was than a record £200,000 was impossible to refuse for a player destined for the top. 

But MacDougall excited all those fortunate enough to see him play at Dean Court, a prolific goal scorer will always go down in Cherry folklore for his nine goal haul and particularly his flying headers as seen (below) 

All Time Legend Rating: 9/10

Flying Scotsman: 'SuperMac' nets a trademark diving header

Howe has he done it?

Managed to put it right: Howe has brought stability and fortune to the Cherries this season

By Joshua Hoare

FEW would have backed Bournemouth at the start of the season to go up automatically, considering the financial turmoil the club have and still remain in. In fact they were 18/1 with some bookmakers to go up, let alone automatically (hopefully)

But one man has transformed the south coast club beyond recognition, queue… Eddie Howe. 

Eddie Howe a born and bred Bournemouth supporter has been the epitome of the club’s success this season and having been born in Verwood, just ten miles away from the ground, it appears we as the fans can rest assure, he knows whats best for our club. 

In his playing days: Howe celebrates one of his twelve goals

His career began with the Cherries at the tender age of 14, before signing professionally for a club he would make over 271 appearances for. A promising centre-half, Howe made a number of England under-21 squads, appearing once as a substitute. Few could blame Howe and the club when legendary manager Harry Redknapp came calling. The than Portsmouth boss paid over £400,000 for Howe’s services, yet injuries plagued his time at Fratton Park and Eddie managed just two games before returning to the club and the fans he adored. 

A lot was said when Bournemouth decided to make Eddie Howe their manager in January 2009, but the trust put into the man who was to become the youngest manager in the Football league at the age of 32 has paid off, as his record below speaks volumes.

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	Win %
Bournemouth	England	03 January 2009	Present	71	37	11	23	52.11

Few Cherry fans can forget the fantastic start to the season we had, with eight wins from nine games. The job Howe has done this season is unbelievable, when you consider the club was under a transfer embargo, which prevented them from signing anyone even on-loan, the financial obscurity surrounding the club all season and at times he could only manage two substitutes…! It’s little wonder championship clubs such as Bristol City and Peterborough have been looking at him.

So come Saturday and Burton away when Eddie can make history by becoming the youngest manager to lead a team to promotion and he deserves every inch of praise he recieves for not only his terrific management this season but for his loyalty to a club so close to his heart.

The Cherry topping awaits…

 BY Joshua Hoare

WELL confidence is a marvelous thing in football, and how the Cherries and especially Brett Pittman are reveling in it this season. After securing our 15th and now 6th consecutive home win of the season, it would take an almighty turn of bad fortune for the reds to not gain promotion next weekend at Burton Albion.

Star man: Brett Pitman celebrates one of his twenty-six goals

Brett Pitman scored his 26th goal of the season and as I have mentioned before in this blog, the man has simply been in irresistible form for the cherries of late. You cannot fault his work rate and endeavour, his goal against Hereford last Tuesday typified this. He has often played alone upfront this season, with Liam Feeney and Anton Robinson offering the width, which I feel at home in the formation of 4-3-3 has really reaped the benefits, but our away form has been another matter. With just 8 wins all season, its easy to see why there has been a few nervous faces come the end of season.

But 15 home wins is the most in League Two this season, neither Notts County (1st) or Rochdale (2nd) have achieved more as of yet, which does pay compliment that Dean Court has become a real fortress for us. There can be no promotion party as of yet, as the boys still need to remain professional for next week’s game, against a tricky Burton side and by all means we were made to wait against Darlington on Saturday before securing three big points.

I can’t commend Eddie Howe much more for the work he has done this season. He has rejuvenated the football club in astronomical measures, there appears to be a buzz around the place now, with the crowds improving and confidence reassured.

Howe has he done it? Eddie Howe has sparked a revival in the Cherries fortunes this season

It’s exciting to think we could have a few derbies to look forward to as well next season, with both Southampton and Yeovil. Furthermore, a trip to St.Marys is certainly one not to miss. But one can only hope both Howe and Pitman remain at the club, to help push for survival in League One next season, who knows even dare I say ‘promotion’….

One thing is for sure, Howe, Pittman and the fantastic cherries support has helped give our troubled club the platform to build a positive future upon and as a lifelong fan its tremendous to see…. 🙂 What a way come 5.45pm on Saturday 24th April for the cherries to make life sweeter by putting a ‘cherry’ on top of the cake in gaining promotion with two games to spare.

Eggcellent Cherries stretch lead to six points

Succesfull Gaffer: Howe can be proud of a season of joy

BY Joshua Hoare

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will ensure his side don’t put all their eggs in one basket when they travel to Lincoln City next weekend. The Cherries are now six points clear of fourth place (play-off places) and promotion to League One is looking increasingly more likely after a superb easter weekend.

Brett Pittman set the reds on their way with a terrific finish from twenty yards on Saturday at home to Bradford City. It was the local boy’s 22nd of the season, 20 of which have been in League Two and his 50th for the Cherries. His goals this season have been invaluable for the side, and his finish on Saturday was clinical of a player who appears to get better with age and experience. I have continued to express my desire Pittman will remain at Dean Court if we are promoted, but its only a matter of time until a ‘big’ club comes calling…..

The cherries have lost key players for nothing (al la Warren Feeney, Wade Elliott and James Hayter) in the past and with the club in financial uncertainty, fans must look now to the future rather than the present. You only need to look at the dissolution of Chester City last month to realise the football league takes no mercy when it comes to financial plight.

Besides that the Cherries travelled to league leaders Rochdale on Easter Monday, where they picked up a valuable point, thats now 11 points from a possible 18, and a result boss Eddie Howe says could have gone our way if it wasn’t for bad referering. Eddie Howe post match

I thought I would take chance to applaud Southampton in this blog for their 4-1 Football league trophy win over Carlisle  last sunday, thus restoring the faith back into the south coast region after the desmise of Portsmouth. South coast clubs have been hit harder than most with relegation, adminstration and obscurity. The recent misgivings surely serve as a stark warning to the Premier league and of course the football league, that control of clubs in the south needs to be stoutly monitored.

Back to the Cherries, and now its ‘full steam ahead’ as Eddie Howe rightly put it on Sunday. His side are hitting form at just the right time of the season and with the teams below us dropping points, the reds must now be confident promotion can all but be assured with at least three more wins from their last six games, beginning with Lincoln next Saturday.

Bournemouth’s form from last six games: WDLWWD

Fixtures remaining: Lincoln 10/4/10 (A), Hereford 13/4 (H), Darlington 17/4 (H), Burton Albion 24/4 (A),

Port Vale 1/5 (H), Chesterfield 8/5 (A)

Keep reading the blog for more news, reviews and features ahead of a busy month for clubs across the country, for whoever you support I wish your side all the best in their fight for promotion, relegation or mid-table bragging rights….For now Happy Easter!

PREVIEW: Bradford (Home)

By Joshua Hoare

The Cherries head into a busy easter weekend of football where they will firstly host Former England manager Peter Taylor’s Bradford City tomorrow, before a daunting trip to runaway divison leaders Rochdale on Monday 5th April.

The division is as close as it has been all season, with just seven points separating second place and seventh. Eddie Howe’s men know any slips ups from now until the end of the season could see them miss out on automatic promotion and unthinkably even a play off place.

Captain Jason Pearce could make a return in defence for Saturday’s game, with Ryan Garry also close to match fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. As I mentioned before in my previous blogs, it is Squeeky-bum time at the top and bottom of the table. Rochdale have pretty much sewn up the league title, their strikeforce of Chris Dagnall and Chris O’Grady has produced thirty-seven goals this season, and who said great strikeforce partnerships were finished in football? It is fair to say the top four premiership sides all prefer a 4-3-3 formation with one main striker al la Rooney, Drogba, Van Persie and Torres.

A nice gesture was made to Steve Fletcher in the week, when the Cherries announced they are to rename the North Stand after him. I wrote about the legend last week in this blog, and I am very pleased to see our all time record appearance holder rewarded for his loyalty and love for the club. So well done Bournemouth and of course Steve Fletcher. It just goes to show nice guys do sometimes finish first, wouldn’t it be nice for Fletch and the young side to end the season with promotion?

Saturday’s game kicks off at 3pm, Jeff Goulding is still suspended following his red card at Grimsby, he will sit out the second of his three game ban.

Let’s hope for three points and a point away on Monday would do very nicely 🙂

Positive week ends on a high

by Joshua Hoare

WELL what a difference a week makes in football, after a laughable 3-2 defeat to Grimsby last weekend, The Cherries’ got their promotion hopes back on track on Saturday with a 2-0 home win over Accrington Stanley. But, news earlier in the week that a £370,000 unpaid tax bill had been covered meant Bournemouth had managed to live another day.

What a terrific job Eddie Mitchell (Chairman) has done since he took over the club, in difficult circumstances he has ensured the Cherries can maintain their promotion push, without the threat of going into administration, not that the football league wont find any other excuse to dock us points!

Who would want to own a football club in the current economic climate? With such poor attendances in the lower leagues, only a decent cup run can ever recover a small percentage of the cash that owner’s plough into the ninety-two professional football clubs across England.

If anything thursday’s financial security has now opened the door for Eddie Howe to pick up a few loan signings, as a transfer embargo has now been lifted from our ‘friends’ at the football league. But one area he won’t need to look to bolster is upfront, where Brett Pittman grabbed his 21st goal of the season on Saturday. His goals this season have been priceless, and its little surprise a number of Championship clubs have been looking at him.

Brett Pittman: On fire with 21 goals this season

Brett Pittman is another fine example of the Cherries excellent youth setup. I don’t think he will leave in the summer, partly because I believe his love for the club will keep him south, however Sam Vokes was in a similar situation to Pittman, and he’s now strutting his skills with the very best in the Premiership at Wolves, so never say never.

It’s fair to say that at least confidence and momentum is now firmly back, but with a testing easter holiday weekend in store, which will see us at home to Bradford next Saturday 3/4 and than away to league leaders Rochdale on the Monday two days later, Eddie Howe will soon find out whether his paper thin squad can last the distance.

Eight games to go? Where has the season gone? League One football feels so close yet so far….Come on Eddie and the lads, we’ve suffered enough, its time to put the Cherries back in the third tier of English football, where we have always belonged.

Keep reading this week for another ALL TIME CHERRIES ‘LEGEND’ FEATURING TED MACDOUGALL (right)

Have a bearable week 😉

All Time Legend Feature #4: Steve Fletcher

Promotion hero: Fletch celebrates after volleying the Cherries in front against Lincoln City

By Joshua Hoare

IF you asked any Cherries fan who their all time legend would be, few could argue with those who nominate Steve Fletcher.

The Hartlepool-born forward has played a record five hundred and forty-six times, amassing ninety-six goals, he is the club’s record appearance holder. A cult figure for the Cherries, Steve Fletcher scored a decisive goal (left) in the 2003 Play-off final win over Lincoln City, which ensured the Cherries promotion to the Second Division.

Now, 37, Fletcher is in his second spell at the club and has helped his close friend and now boss Eddie Howe into the top six of League Two 2009/10.

The Big man is regarded a legend amongst the Dean Court faithful largely due to his ‘never say die’ attitude, his bullishness and a playing style that has help support fellow cherry legends to plenty of goals, such Warren Feeney, James Hayter and of course Jermaine Defoe, who I wrote about last week – https://hoare89.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/all-time-legend-feature-2-jermaine-defoe/

His goals record might not be as great as you would expect for a striker, however Fletcher’s style is very similar to Emile Heskey I would say, Ok not prolific, but arguably very effective and difficult to play against.

The best compliment anyone could pay to Big Fletch his desire and love for the club, has never been in question. His relationship with the fans is tremendous, and when you ask your players to stand up and be counted, He is always there.

A lot has been written about Fletch’s influence in the dressing room too, he is another like I Rio, as mentioned in this blog, a bit of a joker and its little surprise that he was the first number Eddie Howe called when appointed First Team boss to come back to Dean Court.

Cherries Legend Rating: 8/10

Relive that famous day at The Millennium Stadium, Bournemouth 5-2 Lincoln City and of course STEVE FLETCHER’s GOAL