AFC Bournemouth escape relegation

This blog has picked up a lot of new readers recently, but those of you who pre-date the influx will know that I have frequently written about the turmoil at AFC Bournemouth, a club incredibly close to my heart.

For more than fifteen years the south coast club has battled through financial difficulties, and in the process has been saved by an eleventh hour public meeting at the town's Winter Gardens venue, become Europe's first community club and, sadly, entered administration amidst a ludicrously drawn out mirage of a takeover.

There have been good times too. In May 2003, I stood behind the goal at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and watched the Cherries decimate Lincoln City to win the Third Division (League Two) playoffs, sealing promotion with a 5-2 win over a side that had defeated Sean O'Driscoll's side at Dean Court just days before.

Yesterday was another high point.

Bournemouth were relegated from League One last term thanks to their decision to call in the administrators and the resulting ten-point penalty. At the start of this season, Bournemouth and Rotherham picked up 17-point penalties for exiting administration without a company voluntary arrangement.

With Luton Town kicking off on minus-30 because of financial irregularities, it seemed certain that it would be straight shoot-out between the two clubs to join them in the Conference. I can't speak for Rotherham, but I'm sure relegation from the Football League would have been the beginning of the end of AFC Bournemouth.

Rotherham were having none of it and quickly went about the business of dragging themselves into a position of safety. Bournemouth were less sharp, and finally sacked Kevin Bond in September. He was replaced by the equally ineffective Jimmy Quinn, who was sacked on New Year's Eve.

Enter Eddie Howe, a local boy and fans' favourite with over 250 Bournemouth appearances to his name. He's the youngest manager in the Football League at 31, and his appointment sparked into life a survival operation which overshadows even the stunning 'Great Escape' of 1995.

Trust me, it was a pretty special time to be at Dean Court for every home game - and the trip to Brentford was mindblowing.

Under Howe, the players started to take their chances of survival seriously, and the results began to flow. As the season finale approached, it became increasingly clear that Bournemouth, Grimsby Town or Chester City would follow Luton through the trapdoor.

Last weekend the Cherries visited Chester and picked up a vital 2-0 win. It appeared to spell the end for City, but manager Mark Wright correctly pointed out that there was still the small matter of Grimsby's trip to Bournemouth - they couldn't both win.

It turned out to be another day on which the football club gave the seaside town reason to be thoroughly proud. Having gone behind, Bournemouth put on a typical show of resilience and determination. Liam Feeney levelled for the home side against the ten men of Grimsby, and then the magic happened.

With 11 minutes to go, returning legend Steve Fletcher scored to confirm Bournemouth's survival. And wouldn't you know it, he did so with his 100th league goal. Of the celebrating thousands, none will have been happier than the big striker. Fletch is the nicest footballer you could ever hope to meet, and I'm genuinely over the moon for him.

Chester's draw at Aldershot effectively saved Grimsby too. City's chances of survival basically boil down to zilch: they must win, Grimsby lose and those results must ensure something like a 20-goal swing. It simply isn't going to happen.

Bournemouth have surprised me and I'm immensely proud of them. Now let's get this ridiculous takeover nonsense sorted and start building this club into the wonderful one it deserves to be.