Kirk Tovey, a Bournemouth fan, says he is "pinching myself" as the club prepares to host AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday at 20:00 BST. Fifteen years to the day after Bournemouth lost 2-1 at home to Bury in the third tier of English football, the Cherries face the seven-time European champions, in what promises to be a momentous night in the history of the 127-year-old Dorset club.
Former defender and manager Tony Pulis, who still lives in the area, described the club's journey as reaching "dreamland" over the last decade. Bournemouth's past was rocky, with bucket collections and a brush with liquidation as recently as 2008. They finished 21st in League Two in 2008-09 before winning promotion to the Premier League in 2015. Now an established top-flight side, they are making their debut season in Europe.
Joe Partington, who came through the academy and played in midfield during the lean years, recalled training on the park across from the stadium. Fans now walk through that same park to watch European games. Tovey recalled home crowds of around 6,000 in those days, when supporters could arrive ten minutes before kick-off. That is no longer possible. The Vitality Stadium is the smallest in the Premier League by capacity, though expansion work is under way. Last week's 12,070 attendance for the 3-0 win over Sturm Graz was their highest of the 21st century, and another 12,000-plus fans are expected for Milan, coached by former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
Pulis praised the club's progress under US billionaire Bill Foley, who completed his takeover in 2022, citing a new training facility and a strong academy. AC Milan, fourth in Serie A on 15 points, are four points behind leaders Inter Milan and have not won the European Cup since 2007.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing