20 Questions: AFC Bournemouth

From shaking buckets for survival to mixing it with England’s elite, the story of Bournemouth’s incredible rise through the divisions

Wednesday 21 May 2025

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

DESMOND’S COMEDY CLUB: Friday 30 May at The Fingerpost. Show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £15. Line-up includes Freddy Quinne (pictured below), Kie Carson, Will Smith and Eddie Fortune. Drop me an email if you’d like to join us!

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Bournemouth supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Wednesday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

We’re a third of the way through our great big review of the 2024-25 season. Lincoln, Crawley, Birmingham, Huddersfield, Mansfield, Bolton, Wrexham and Shrewsbury have all featured so far. The other 16 clubs will have their campaigns analysed and dissected before the new fixtures are released next month. While those pieces are being written and edited, I’ve got a number of our ‘20 Questions’ articles to fill in the gaps while we all try to pass the time through this boring close season. Next up: Bournemouth. Craig from UTCIAD is our excellent guide to all things Cherries.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Kingsway Carpets. A big thank you to Neil.

Thanks also to Freddy at Jynx Tattoo & Piercing for sponsoring our AFC Bournemouth content on the website.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

---

• Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth won the Championship in 2014-15

Bournemouth currently play in the Premier League, which is the top tier of English football. What’s that like as a division?

You'd expect me to turn around and say that the Premier League is the greatest league in the world wouldn't you? Whilst it is in terms of talent, ability and quality, there are a lot of bad things about the Premier League – VAR being a big one. Also, competing for Europe is fun but you’re battling with teams who have massive resources. As well as us, Brighton, Brentford and Fulham have done, we know it’s short-lived not because of the ability of our players but because of money around us. Oh, and our squad might be ripped to pieces at the end of the season. So yeah, it's fun but not all rosey.

Describe a typical matchday for yourself in Bournemouth.

It normally starts a few hours before kick-off, a couple of drinks at the local pub before the short walk to Dean Court. Depending on the final score, it's either the pub or the journey home. The pub has been more utilised this season to be fair!

Who are your club’s biggest rivals?

It might sound mad, but we don't really have any. Southampton are the closest so we have a "friendly" rivalry with them but they’re more bothered by Portsmouth than they are us. Bristol City and Reading are a bit too far away but some segments of the fanbase aren't fond of them. We’ve had our little spats with Watford and Nottingham Forest but again it's nothing.

However… Leeds. No one likes Leeds in Bournemouth so despite being some way again, they’re the team we have a dislike for. There was no love lost when we shoved them closer to the trap door in their last relegation at this level. They smashed up the town when they won the league and relegated us back in 1990. I'm sure some Cherries fans are hoping we have them right at the end of the season next year so we can do it again.

What’s your best memory following Bournemouth?

“Pugh… Pugh… That will do it!” Whilst our most recent promotion was good, that team built by Sir Eddie Howe (yes he will forever be a legend here) will forever be in folklore here. It was special – a group of players who were cobbled together, rejects if you like at other clubs, and turned into a side who absolutely tore through the leagues showing everyone who doubted them how wrong they were.

A close second has to be that goal against Grimsby scored by Supa Steve Fletcher which completed the Great Escape in 2008-09.

What’s your worst memory following Bournemouth?

That same season, 2008-09, just earlier. Prior to Sir Eddie in charge, Jimmy Quinn was at the wheel. We looked doomed throughout, skint, clueless and the lowest point was getting knocked out by Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup. If we had gone down, I doubt we would have survived. Jimmy Quinn was doing a bloody good job of getting us relegated from the Football League. That said, those FA Cup games were the reason the club hit the panic button and put Eddie in charge. The best thing they ever did.

If AFC Bournemouth was a TV show, which one would it be?

George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. Our infrastructure has been small until recently but it’s incredible how we have done so well. Some may point to money invested by Bill Foley and some will mention Maxim Demin and what he put in. But we haven't been "bankrolled". We have utilised what we’ve had to grow this club. It's thanks to success we’re expanding; it’s thanks to the success Bill Foley picked us.

• Photo credit: AFC Bournemouth

What’s your ground called, and how would you describe it for someone who’s never visited before?

Dean Court, or many newer fans will say Vitality Stadium due to sponsorship. It’s quaint, small and probably out of place in the top flight. But we love it and now we’ve bought it back, we’re going to extend it. And how I and most Cherries fans are delighted we aren't going to just build a Meccano-looking new stadium.

What’s your thoughts on Stockport County?

I’m absolutely delighted for County. I remember you going through the leagues years ago and spending some time in Division One as a tough, battling side with quality. The fall was horrendous and it was horrible to see a club that was always a well supported, challenging side to drop as far as the National League North, and I believe even go part-time. The rise has been brilliant though and I’m hoping you’ll be back in the second tier very soon. With the squad you have, it’s very possible. (And like everyone I was equally annoyed at that goal given against you in the first leg of the play-offs. Even Stevie Wonder would have realised that was offside.)

Have you ever visited the town of Stockport before?

Unfortunately, I haven’t been to Edgeley Park before so I hope we play you in one of the cups and I can come and visit. However, I have been to Stockport briefly in the past. Back in my university days, I met someone from Ellesmere Port and on venturing up to a town I'd never heard of before, we had to change at Stockport! We then completely missed our connecting train and ended up in Stockport a bit longer. We went for a bit of a wander but as missing the connection was my fault, she wasn't very happy. I hope the next visit is a bit more cheerful coupled with a Cherries win of course.

What colours do you play in, and what’s the best ever kit Bournemouth have had?

Red and black stripes but it's not always been that. We’ve had solid red shirts with a black trim on them and even further back red and white stripes. The best shirt though is the Yellow Coaches away kit from 1996. They did an adaptation of this last season and it was bloody gorgeous. I think we should adopt these colours every single season.

If Bournemouth were playing in the next FA Cup final, who’d be at Wembley as your celebrity fan?

Harry Redknapp, despite being born in London, absolutely loves this football club. He would be there 100%.

What’s the most interesting fact about AFC Bournemouth we might not know?

The reason the stadium is called Dean Court is because the ground the stadium is on was donated by the Cooper Dean family. We’ve been there ever since and thankfully look unlikely to ever leave.

Who’s your all time Bournemouth hero?

Steve Fletcher on the pitch, without any doubt whatsoever for reasons already given. Management wise Eddie Howe for taking us through the leagues.

What sort of attendances do you get, and how would you describe Bournemouth’s fanbase?

Small but with tons of growth opportunities if we can take advantage of them. We have 11,000 seats so we can only reach that figure. However, with such a big catchment area of the whole of Dorset, most of Somerset and lots of other surrounding areas, we could boom if the right outreach is made.

What’s your manager like?

Andoni Iraola is a bloody genius. I doubted he was going to be able to succeed not because of his knowledge of the game but the style of the football he was asking this squad to play – however he has done. We are playing, with no disrespect to Sir Eddie or Harry, the best football we have ever played under Iraola. It propelled us up the league and it will continue to make us better and better. We need to keep hold of our biggest asset, Andoni, to ensure we don't stall and come crashing back down to earth.

What’s your owner like?

Absolutely brilliant. This football club was consistently skint and shaking buckets for survival. But thanks to Bill Foley, and before him Maxim Demin and the late Eddie Mitchell, we have grown from strength to strength. He invests, but sensibly. He has a goal, but to get to that goal he works out what needs to come in to achieve it.

What’s it like for a night out in Bournemouth?

I haven't been for a night out in Bournemouth in years! Like most towns, the shopping part is dying which has caused the pubs and clubs to get a bit worse. Honestly, it’s OK but it’s not what it was.

• Photo credit: Dorset Guide

What’s the best thing about being a Bournemouth fan?

Defying the odds and the incredible journey we’ve been on. We’re still a family focused club which is something we don't ever want to lose.

What’s the worst thing about being a Bournemouth fan?

Whilst I manage to get tickets, so many are frozen out because of the size of our stadium. Expanding the ground is essential in attracting new fans.

What are your hopes for next season?

Step by step growth. Personally I would love the FA Cup. A trophy would be a dream which no one could have imagined all those years ago. It would beat qualifying for Europe via the Premier League.

➡️ Enjoyed today’s article? Click here for all of the other ‘20 Questions’ features we’ve published.

---

If you’re looking to install a stair runner at home, get in touch with Kingsway Carpets

This is pretty smart, isn’t it? If you’re looking to install a stair runner at home, or you’ve got any other flooring ideas, give Kingsway Carpets a call on 0161 225 7294 or email info@kingsway-carpets.co.uk.

Kingsway Carpets is a family-run business with over 40 years experience. They offer a free measuring service, repayment plans, and guarantee to beat any like for like quotation!

➡️ Visit kingsway-carpets.co.uk for further details.

---

Photo of the day

Edgeley Park, Stockport

Bournemouth’s last trip to Edgeley Park was in February 2005 – a 2-2 draw in League One. Joe Dolan, on loan from Millwall, scored County’s second goal of the game, but the Cherries grabbed a late equaliser. County finished bottom of League One that season. Bournemouth missed out on the play-offs by a point.

---

5 questions with Freddy from Jynx Tattoo & Piercing

What’s been the best moment with your business so far?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one moment, to be honest. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with some incredible people, everything from entire football teams coming in for matching tattoos, to musicians we’ve looked up to for over 20 years sitting in our chairs. Bournemouth is a really competitive area for tattooing, so being able to not only survive but actually thrive here feels like our biggest achievement.

What’s your plans for the business in the future?

We’re already growing. We’re about to open a second studio in New Milton, which will focus more on the piercing side of our brand. The goal is to keep expanding and bringing more eyes to what we do. Our studio has always been about creating a family vibe and a homely, welcoming space, and we want to carry that energy into everything we build moving forward.

What would you like to promote to The Scarf My Father Wore readers?

For any football fans heading to Bournemouth to watch the Cherries, if you’re thinking about getting a tattoo to mark the day or just want something new, mention The Scarf My Father Wore and we’ll give you 20% off. It’s a little something from us to make your trip even more memorable.

What’s the longest amount of time you’ve spent on a tattoo?

The longest session I’ve done in one go is about 16 hours. We left the studio at 4am! But if you're talking about a piece done over multiple sittings, then we’re talking close to 24 hours in total. It’s definitely a grind, but it’s always worth it when the end result blows people away.

What’s the best thing about working in Bournemouth?

It’s really just the vibe. The whole area has a great energy. Coming from Croydon, it’s been a big change of pace – but a welcome one. You’ve got the beach right there when you need to clear your head, loads to do, and it’s a beautiful place to raise a family. We feel lucky to call this home.

➡️ Jynx Tattoo & Piercing is located at 3 Lansdowne Crescent, Bournemouth, BH1 1RX. For further details visit jynxtattoo.com.

---

Today in SK

🍺 Food and drink

The Nelson Tavern (SK1) have a great range of offers throughout the week, including £5.50 for drinks off the Doubles Bar, a comprehensive range of shots for £1.50, and 3 for £7 on Jägerbombs. Also, double up for £2 on premium spirits.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers till 6pm.

A number of venues are featured on The Scarf My Father Wore such as The Crown (SK2), The Dog & Partridge (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Steelworks (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin (SK12) and The Ram’s Head (SK12). Support them this month by popping in for a few drinks and a bite to eat.

---

A huge thank you to the following businesses supporting The Scarf My Father Wore in May

🪟 Blinds & Shutters: Bauhaus Blinds and Shutters

♨️ Boiler Repair & Servicing: Gas Care UK (NW)

🧱 Builder: CE Building Services

🫧 Carpet Cleaning: Freshio

🏠 Carpets: Kingsway Carpets & Rugs Ltd

🐈 Cat Flaps: That Cat Flap Company Ltd

🚙 Coatings: Colourtone Ltd

🚘 Driving School: CFN School of Motoring

🔌 Electrician: Hey Electrics

🏠 Estate Agent: The Agency UK

🫧 Exterior Cleaning: Impact Pro Clean

💷 Financial Services: The Mortgage Mill

💐 Florist: The Flower House

🪚 Joinery: SAW Contracts Ltd

🔌 Kitchen Appliances: SW Appliances

🪴 Landscaping: Impact Gardens & Driveways

📮 Leaflet Distribution: Wolf Distribution

🔑 Locksmith: APL Locksmiths Ltd

💪 Male Weight Loss: MAN v FAT

🖌 Painter & Decorator: BGM Decorators

📸 Photographer: Adam Edwards Photography

🥧 Pies: Eric Twigg Foods

🧱 Plastering: DT Plastering Services and Damp Proofing Specialists

👨‍💼 Solicitors: B.J. McKenna & Co / Parkers Solicitors Ltd

🍹 Spirits: Guerrilla Chicken Spirits

🪨 Stonemason: LM Stone Creative

🚕 Taxi Hire: Lynx Taxis

☀️ Travel Agent: PTF Travel Ltd

📺 TV Aerials: SDS Aerials

🧰 Vehicle Repairs: C J Motors Stockport