Eddie and JT have done wonders six-years on from Tranmere Rovers

Last weekend Eddie Howe past the six-year mark from when he and JT returned to the club for their second spell in management. One look at the tables today and to see only five clubs above Bournemouth in the whole pyramid system is quite something, considering Eddie and JT returned to a club struggling near the foot of  League One in October 2012.

Eddie Howe passed a six-year anniversary back at AFCB last weekend.

Bournemouth won 3-1 against Tranmere Rovers on 20 October 2012 with goals from Harry Arter and Simon Francis, plus an own-goal for Tranmere, after a Marc Pugh free-kick sealing the win against a team that had been unbeaten and were top of the league. Upsetting the odds is something Eddie Howe has been doing ever since, but to be battling among the country's elite in the Premier League has given Bournemouth fans a real belief that they can stay in contention this season.

The games can't come fast enough at the moment. The international break might have interrupted the team's rhythm, but we know from the Burnley game that whenever their is a set back we tend to see a response in the next game. Southampton's point was unexpected and we could hear in the post-match interview of Steve Cook that it was a blow to the players that they hadn't taken all three points. In previous seasons AFCB would have been calling it progress to take a point off of the Saints. But such are the aspirations and targets that Eddie and JT set for the team that even 17 points from nine games can be considered very satisfactory, and yet might have done better! That is what I love about AFCB. They are always striving for more. Even when 0-4 up on Watford the players were trying to score more.

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Coastal Garden Buildings

While only Simon Francis took to the field on Saturday as a survivor of the team that beat Tranmere six years ago, Marc Pugh and Charlie Daniels are still very much apart of the first team. We can reflect on the progress the club has made. The players though must look to the future and what can still be achieved. Who knows where AFCB will be six years on from this point? Whatever the future is, no one can take away from what AFCB and Eddie and Jason have done in the past. But I'm excited about the future, too.

Cherries' Away days - Liverpool was epic - we out sang the Kop!

My good friend Damien Hill recounts his away trip as an AFC Bournemouth fan to one of the greatest grounds in England - Anfield. Here is his account. Big thanks Damien!

Destination Anfield to watch AFC Bournemouth.

If you are like me, you would have been watching or listening to Sky Sports News on the 17th June to find out our fixtures and the first one I was looking for was Liverpool away. Great it was going to be in the summer holidays and hoping we had enough points, it was a definite - I'll be going and taking my son Deklan too.

So I was straight on net to book a hotel as I didn't fancy the drive back after the game, a few weeks later and oh hang on! Sky, have now changed the date to the Monday night, so a quick phone call to the hotel and we changed the date. Phew!

So the road trip begins, having gone on the coach to Tranmere Rovers (7 long hours of a numb bum) and as we were staying overnight, we decided to drive up. So myself, Deklan, Joe and Steve “the Sweeney Barber” Young left Bournemouth at 8am on the Monday morning as wanting to experience the whole build up and visit the club shop, go around the ground and head into town. We had to leave early.

So the roads were clear and in no time at all we were in Oxford and the first question from my son might have been expected: “Are we there yet”! “ NO!!” came the reply but it was a chance for a quick stop. Back on the road we discussed the possible line up and to predict the score line (failed on both counts) but the day would not be ruined by any score line as this was a history making day and we were going to enjoy and embrace it. “Are we there yet?” rang out again from the back of the car, so another stop was in order but we were now well up the road on the M6 toll road. We stopped at the services for a quick bite to eat, because as soon as we would arrive in Liverpool we had one overriding ambition - to head straight for the ground.

Watch out, Cherries fans on the road again.

So we made it to the ground, passing Everton’s Goodison Park first and parked up a side street about 1pm, so not bad 5hrs with two stops. Having done a stadium tour last year and visited the museum, we walked around the ground taking in the new development and looking at the memorials for the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies.

There are more pictures on Match Day Gallery.

Football fans will never forget them.

Rest in peace.

Soaking up the atmosphere and the sun we headed into the shop to see what was on offer, well we have a long way to go before our club shop will have so much history to sell, but this is the start of our future and hopefully a past to remember, and for Barry and the club shop to get ideas of merchandise that people would buy, lots of retro kits, photos, clothing, mugs, sweets, NEW kits! (hint, hint) sweets and so much more. As we didn't want to carry any bags in during the game, we purchased our items and decided we would leave them at the hotel. So we headed to our hotel and got lost in the city's flyovers and after a couple of laps around we finally made it. After quickly stashing the bags and a joyous bounce on the bed! (mainly Deklan) we headed into to the city for some shopping ( ladies if you have never been to Liverpool, you need a weekend here shopping) as the hour or so we spent looking around was not enough, but having been here before Deklan only wanted to visit the Lego store. 

The Paisley Gates.

Deklan really did try out the bed - glad he took his shoes off.

Having made his purchase and dad wanting to get something for his dry throat, we headed over to the Albert Docks for a drink and another bite to eat. What was nice is that everywhere we went the locals were friendly and showed us support and even wished us well, well the blue ones did! And all the taxi drivers have a story to tell and to tell you, which players they have had in the back of the cab, etc. [Ed - I bet if they had Stirling in the back they might have also got lost in the flyovevers - might have had a bit to say to him].

Down at the docks.

The Pump House.

Time for a drink.

It's all friendly on Merseyside so far.

Hope the players don't have to get to the ground on one of these.

Having made it to the Pump house which buy now had a good showing of cherry fans we had a couple of shandy’s   [Ed - few beers more like!] and soaked up the sun, and watched the world go by. "Okay, lets go!" was the shout and after a quick return visit to the hotel we made our way to the ground getting there for just after 6pm, mingling with all the fans outside and looking at all the stalls on the pavements - and yes, it was finally sinking in that we were playing Liverpool, in the Premier League and that we were part of that. We walked past all the players' cars and made our way down to the away end and started to queue. Just before 7pm the gates opened and we headed to our seats. The build up began and the keepers came out to train and the team followed after to an arousing round of applause and “Eddie’s Howe barmy army!”

Shankley's statue - now we're talking.

Then the moment I wanted to hear, and my son, for the first time is "You’ll never walk alone!" rings out. And the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, but wait all I can hear is our fans singing and sing with all of their hearts and sing they did all through the game. What a night even though the result didn't go our way, to say I was there, I out sung the Kop, it was something that will stay with me forever and to share it with my son was amazing. After the game we headed back to the hotel for a good nights sleep. When we got up, we had our breakfast and had just finished when the fire alarm sounded and everyone had to evacuate, but not before Damo grabbed a cup of tea and a cake and few people had grabbed a towel to spare their dignity.

Bit of injustice in the final score line, but we live to fight another day.

Amazed to see a cup of tea rather than a pint in hand!

False alarm! And after a 10 or so minutes and no fire brigade we were allowed back in. We finished packing our bags and started our journey home. All I can say is, it was a day I will never forget and it was a day I thought would never happen. The people of Liverpool were friendly and hopefully they will remember how lucky they have been, as I never thought I'd see the Kop begging for the final whistle to go so much when they were playing against AFCB.

If you fancy having a crack at writing an away match trip to a big Premier League ground this year you are welcome to send them in, especially if you have a very eventful trip. 

You can't beat an old Boscombe programme

As a history graduate I, like many I suspect, have been pleased to see the addition of old programmes being incorporated into the MatchDay programme this year. They add such colour to periods when the game I am sure was no less enjoyable to watch, and revive memories for many about players logged in the back of their memories. So how pleased was I when a work colleague sprung a surprise on me the other day by handing me a Bournemouth & Boscombe AFC v Tranmere Rovers programme from 14 January 1961? I could not believe my luck and was overjoyed just to handle the eight page programme. But that was not enough for me as I thought I wonder what light it sheds on the Boscombe team of the time so I set about a bit of Internet research.

1961 programme cover has a view of the cliffs just in
case you forget that you are on the south coast.

Dean Court chatter.

The first thing all fans want to know when they see a match programme is what the score was. I am pleased to say that the Cherries beat Tranmere 2-1 on the day. Perhaps one or two of you were there and you know the goal scorers? The Cherries were playing in the then football league division III and it is clear to see that the cliffs along the coast with their zig-zag paths featured prominently on the front cover along with a packed Dean Court picture.

You can't get away from the great language that was used to describe the action then and I might nick a few of those phrases with the 'Dean Court Chatter' remarking on the previous fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor, when the Cherries were apparently "only ten minutes away from another world-shaking Cup performance" - a reference to the 1957 FA Cup run when they beat Spurs and Wolves, before going out in the sixth round against the Busby Babes. How often have we heard phrases such as near-misses like the following? "A shot by Ray Bumstead; a header from Dicky Dowsett and  a whizz-bang effort just wide of the mark by Johnny King." I think the commentator had been saving that particular spiffing description for such a special occasion as a cup match, and it was a well attended game with 24,817 seeing Burnley progress 1-0 to the next round.

Team line ups: Tranmere v AFCB, 14 Jan 1961.

On to the Tranmere game then and those Cherries names appear again along with some others you might recall in a 2-3-5 formation! Winger Ray Bumstead is fondly remembered by many AFCB fans and there were some lovely comments about him on the Vitals website as I remember that he only passed a way a short while ago. He was known as 'the Ringwood Rocket' and played in Dickie Dowsett's era who is still recognised today for the his header profile on the club's crest. In goal was also a legend of the time, Tommy Goodwin who was also a member of the first non-UK side to beat England at home at Goodison Park in 1949. Sharp shooter Johnny King must have a special mention as he not only played for the Cherries in this match but went on to become Tranmere's manager in 1975 and later director of football at Prenton Park, while current Tranmere fans will know that ground still names one of the stands after him. Don Welsh was the Cherries manager at the time, but he was soon to tread the walk that so many managers make - sacked just one month after this Tranmere match!

Bournemouth & Boscombe AFC sat 18th out of 24 in the league.

Among Tranmere's players was Tommy Eglington who was previously at Everton and still is that club's all-time top goalscorer with a total of 76 - I knew Gary Lineker was not all that! Tony Rowley (born Antonio Camilio - an Italian) was similarly a great centre forward for Tranmere scoring 47 goals in his 100 appearances (Wikipedia says 45 goals) and was just as much a legend at Liverpool. While the names of Finney and Charlton might have any players worried when they are on the team sheet it was Ken Finney and Wilf Charlton turning out for Tranmere in those days.

Finally, you can't fail to notice the adverts on such programmes as these and I was pleased to see a few familiar names supporting the club then such as, St Christopher's Garage, Excelcior European Motorways (coach company), Trenchards Removals and Charles Fox jewellers. Just to show you how lucky you are watching football some nights at Dean Court, back in 1961 Boscombe fans were being asked to donate sixpence to reach the target of £500 which would pay for some floodlights, but at the time they had only reached £200 towards the total. 

While doing my research I came across the 'Where are they now?' site which might interest Bournemouth and Tranmere fans reading this post who like to know what has happened to some players that they used to watch. And that famous Man Utd Cup game in 1957 drew me to an excellent article on golf legend Peter Alliss' memory of the game, and yes, he's an AFCB supporter if you did not know. 

See how much you can get out of an old programme?

So how are Burton Albion and AFCB likely to shape up?

Burton Albion FC might seem like a small provincial town that is a banana skin tie for AFCB in the FA Cup third round. They are no fouls though when it come to playing football and have seen a steady improvement in results and personnel since their entry into the football league some five years ago. They now sit in second place in League Division Two and their manager Gary Rowett has an impressive CV with many years at Everton, Derby, Leicester and Charlton among others and is likely to enter his second year as the club manager in May 2014, having previously being caretaker and assistant manager.

Having been formed in 1950 Burton Albion are one of the newer professional football clubs in England and so there progress has been swift through the non-leagues to professional football. In 2002 they entered the Conference and won it in 2008-09. Moreover they have FA Cup pedigree having drawn with Man Utd at home in the third round in 2006. Nigel Clough learnt how to manage at Burton Albion and the Brewers have started to attract some names that have played higher in the league, such as Adam McGurk who we know well from his Tranmere days. He is not their lead goal scorer though, that is Billy Kee who has nine goals in all and two in the cup. He was schooled as Leicester City and is a Northern Ireland U21 international player. At the back Chris Hussey has also plenty of experience playing for Coventry City.

Another striker that all AFCB fans will know is one of our ex-players, Michael Symes. Micahel who is now 30 joined the club last year after a loan period with them. I am sure he will receive a good reception at Dean Court if he is in the squad. Burton also have a Howe in their team, Rene Howe who has played in the lower leagues for Peterborough and on loan at several clubs as well as a permanent deal at Torquay before joining the Brewers, so Eunan O'Kane should know him well. 

Sadly we won't see the famous Rory Delap who was legendary at Stoke City for his long throws in the Premiership. Rory signed for the Brewers last summer but retired in December with a persistent hamstring injury. He also played for that team down the road between 2001-06, so he would have got some stick from our supporters. 

One player AFCB fans will be likely to see is 21-year-old defender Adam Buxton who has been signed on a month's loan from Wigan. Adam can play anywhere along the back line, but usually plays at right back.

Adam Buxton is looking forward to the FA Cup match against the Cherries.

In the last round Burton took Fleetwood to a replay and beat them 1:0 at home. In fact the Brewers' favourite score seems to be 1:0 in recent months, although in the first round of the cup they beat Hereford Utd 2:0. But it's the league form that points to the fact that this will not be an easy game for AFCB, having not lost in their last eight league games, winning five and drawing three. 

It is interesting to guess at who Eddie Howe may play in this game. I suspect that Ryan Allsop will play in goal, but after that we can only guess at the team. Steve Cook could perhaps start as one of the centre backs and Ian Harte could come into the team if Daniels needs a rest. We don't know the fitness of Coulibaly but it would perhaps be a tie he could play a part as a sub, while Josh McQuoid and Tokelo Rantie could also feature not having played much of late. I am sure that Eddie will keep a few regulars in the team, but Shaun MacDonald and Brett Pitman could feature as they also have not played so much of late.

The subs bench may feature some of those who played against Brighton, while who knows if Addison will get an outing. Wes Fogden could be ready for a return and if Matt Tubbs is not going straight out on loan again he could be available. One player who won't feature is Joe Partington who has just gone out on a month's loan to Aldershot. 

You can almost roll the dice for the squad selection, but I would expect about four changes from the Brighton starting 11. To change more than that would probably be too risky, but Eddie knows how fit the players are and who is ready for a game and who needs to be rested. Personally I would start with the strongest team and try and get the lead before bringing on some who have not a game but I expect Eddie will want to rest quite a few players. I do hope AFCB are too strong though for a team riding high in League Two and playing with confidence. We were there not so long ago and it's strange to be looking at such a tie from the other way around now that we are the scalp.

Burton Away form (League)
WWWDD

AFCB Home form (League)
LDLWD

You can also see what Burton Albion write Colston Crawford has to say about the Brewers when Cherry Chimes interviewed him - just visit Rival Lines.

BREAKING NEWS: Lee Camp signs 2.5 year deal at AFC Bournemouth. He's ours!

Breaking Blackpool's rock hard defence

AFCB will look to breakthrough the stubborn resistance of Blackpool's rock like defence on Saturday. Lewis Grabban is my bet for an early break through goal as he has looked the most dangerous of the Cherries' strikers so far. If Tokelo Rantie is sitting in the stands there could be no better incentive for our strikers to get on the score sheet.

Brett Pitman has a point to prove perhaps with his decision not to go an join Blackpool a few seasons ago. He will be looking to score his first home goal in the Championship and, if the Cherries are awarded a penalty, I would expect him to step up to take it.

Outsiders to score are probably our central defenders, but at some point I think Cook or Ward are going to show that they can do more than just shut out the other team. There has been no pressure put on Ryan Fraser to open his account apart from what he himself aims to achieve, but the right winger could cap-off what has been a superb start to his career in the Championship with a goal. I can't think of any other player who would get a bigger reception from the home supporters if he scored than Ryan, so I will have my fingers crossed for him in particular.

Harry Arter has yet to dominate a game like he did so often for the Cherries last season and he is also due a goal. The battling midfielder is one of those who I believe can deliver more than he has been showing so far and if he can ratchet up his performance it could be a much harder game for the seaside visitors than they might be expecting. Having heard Marc Pugh and Laura Pugh's good news yesterday, on their new daughter, I hope that Marc can score a goal for his new born child - queue the arm swinging baby celebrations!

The recent Hot Radio interview with Eddie Howe pointed towards one or two more injuries to AFCB players in training. I have my fingers crossed that it is not Charlie Daniels, Simon Francis or Steve Cook. Still the squad is pretty strong now in just about all positions.

With Bournemouth's strong home record and Blackpool's good defence I can't see many goals coming in this match, but if the Cherries can start like they did against Doncaster, and take the initiative, it would be superb to get a result against the table toppers. They have done it in the past against Tranmere last year and Wycombe in 2009. Can they do it against Blackpool?

Send us in your score predictions to @peterbell19 on Twitter. I'll post a few before I leave to drive down for the match. UTCIAD!

If you have not yet read Rival Lines take a look as it gives you a good low down on the opposition courtesy of the Blackpool Supporters Association.

Doncaster - we've got your number

There is a bit of me that sees this game against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday as a grudge match. As if trophy gate wasn't bad enough, with Tranmere Rovers not allowing AFCB to celebrate last season if the cherries had won the title, Doncaster meanwhile had the audacity to go and snatch that piece of silver away from AFCB, when it seemed we had at least one hand on the prize.

That was then though. The current form of Doncaster has me more worried than anything that might have happened in the past. They are a hard and gritty team that has added some quality without breaking the bank. Their leading goal scorer Robinson looks a tricky winger and their number 9, Chris Brown, would have added a few more to his tally had the game against Charlton not been abandoned. Billy Paynter is another thorn in AFCB's past  along with James Coppinger, while midfielder Paul Keegan looks a handful. What I do like about their team is that they fight for everything and Rob Jones will lead while the others will follow and give their all.

Paul Dickov has perhaps not done so well when lined up against Eddie Howe with his previous Oldham team. Now though it is Eddie that comes into this match under some pressure for AFCB's away form. AFCb will be doing everything they can to keep a clean sheet. I would take a 0:0 right now and motor back down to Dean Court. Sadly that opportunity is not there so AFCB has to plug the holes that have led to so many goals going in away from home. Allsop is going to need serious rehabilitation if he comes away from this one having let in another five or six goals.

I'm hoping that Ryan Allsop has a very quiet game today.

Four our supporters this trip is a brave one to take on. The distance is enormous and there will be no where to hide if AFCB have to take another lesson. If last week at Huddersfield told us anything is that AFCB can not look lightly on any team in this division. Doncaster are in form and at home. Damage limitation should be the first priority and let's see if the team can build from there.

No trophy but a great season for AFCB

Match Report

Tranmere 0 v 0 AFCB

17 April 2013

Attendance 6745

Prenton Park soaks up the sunshine 

AFCB players get their elastic bands out for stretching exercises

Spot the Tranmere fan

We all knew some 10 games ago that it was going to be a special occasion when AFCB supporters would make the trip up to the Wirral on 27 April. What we did not know then was whether it would be important for a play-off place, automatic promotion or even the title.

Players line up before the match

Teams enter Prenton Park 

As Tranmere Rovers' challenge has faded it was only the Cherries that really had anything to play for in this game and the expectation of becoming the Champions of League One had the 2000 or more travelling fans in party mood right from the off with balloons, inflatables and fancy dress characters the order of the day. Tranmere stewards and fans looked on bemused at what could have been for them as we taunted their demise and informed the stewards that, "we've got inflatables.''

Did someone say no inflatables? Oh well.

The pitch was looking pretty ropey with hollows and sand all over the place and some big wet puddles where the sprinklers had soaked some patches that did not drain away. Still the sun was shining and there was a match to win and the banter started almost immediately with Tranmere's Robinson hoofing his cross into the Cowshed end much to the delight of the Cherry fans who shouted, ''that's why you're not going up."

Harry Arter was the first AFCB player to have a shot at goal after 3 minutes and Grabban tried to follow up but was just a bit  too slow.

Tranmere were managing to cope with the bobbly pitch with Bakayogo and Sidibe trying to find away past Bourenmouth's back line.

Ritchie then fed a strong cross in for Grabban, but he could not reach it in time. A few moment s later Ritchie tried again to centre a ball only for it to fall behind Pugh. Arter was doing his best to get Grabban through while Shaun MacDonald was the one doing most to break up Tranmere's play in midfield.

Steve Cook had Sidibe virtually in his pocket all day. Every time Sidibe was chasing with the ball with Cook in attendance, Cook would win out. Pitman was winning headers up front but Grabban wasn't getting the breaks.

Arter though was striding forwards and would have had goal of the season if he had converted after 23 minutes having run the length of the pitch with the ball glued to his foot.

Tranmere too were crossing from the right with Robinson but Allsop was catching the ball cleanly under the posts.

Ritchie also did some defensive work, shepherding out the ball from Bakayogo when another Tranmere attack faded away. 

Pugh and Daniels were not able to get their free flowing moves working well in the first half, although AFCB were winning corners and after 33 minutes a Pugh corner was dummied by Pitman for Francis to strike but the ball was snatched away from him before he could let a shot go.

My favourite moment of the half came when Allsop received a tricky back pass that left him facing Akpa Akpro, whom he neatly side stepped and cleared when AFCB hearts were in their mouths for a second or two. "And that's why we are going up,'' sang the Red Army.

While MacDonald had a strong run up the left wing that went nowhere in the end, there was a feeling that AFCB had started to play to their strengths now with some great interplay in the middle of the park between Arter, Ritchie and Pitman. Such a build up led to a weak shot from Pugh in the box which the keeper easily gathered after 40 minutes.

Arter was showing some of his powerful running game which was sounding alarm bells for Tranmere's back four and if he had seen Pugh, darting in from the left, a break through might have come before half time. As it was, it was Tranmere pressing after MacDonald gave away a foul for what looked a reasonable attempt at a tackle.

Grabban then almost had a gift when their fall back slipped but Grabban dallied and failed get past the centre half before the fall back recovered and the chance was gone. Half Time.

Half Time was quite an event because a large throng of Bournemouth fans had decided to party hard in front of the bar below the Cowshed stand. The noise was deafening as the fans celebrated being top of the league, while stewards and the police looked on wondering whether things were going to get out of hand. I was just glad the rest rooms were away from the boisterous celebrations or things could have got nasty if I had to sit through a further 45 minutes with my legs crossed.

In the second half AFCB attacked down the right wing at first with MacDonald and Francis who crossed to Arter, but he shot wide. 

Tranmere had a corner that Stockton headed but it went out for another corner. Tranmere were upping their game an a few moments later Elphick made a big saving tackle. Tranmere's Robinson was making the most runs.

AFCB were also pressing to get the goal with Arter and Ritchie looking most likely.

Robinson again was prepared to shoot at any opportunity and shot wide after 53 minutes. It was a case of your go, our go, for a while but AFCB fans were frustrated when Arter came in from the right heading right across the box beating players but failing to get his shot off.

Pugh then made a good run on the left and found Pitman free in their box but his header was planted right into the keeper's hands. Pugh himself then shot wide to the left of goal. Ritchie and Daniels were also more influential now but no one had brought their finishing boots today.

Tranmere made a double substitution on 65 minutes taking off Sidibe and brought on McGurk, then subbing Robinson for Bell-Baggie. Bell-Baggie reminded me of Shaun Wright-Philips on the right and he immediately had a shot that went out for a corner.

Daniels and Pugh were working hard on the left but were not having their usual success. Meanwhile, Tranmere would break fast with Bell-Baggie their quick outlet, scampering down the right wing.

MacDonald then went down with cramp in his own box in what was his first start for a while with O'Kane being injured. AFCB brought on McQuoid and Hughes to replace Grabban and MacDonald on with 15 minutes to go.

Arter than made a great play on the left rounding the full back and gliding along the dead ball line before reaching the six yard area and trying to pull back the ball for someone to tap in but he could not find anyone who had made a run.

Pitman was doing his best at getting angry at everyone who did not make the perfect pass as the frustration mounted. He hit a good shot that the keeper saved stretching high to his left.

Tranmere had an effort from McGurk that Allsop saved well before Stockton could get there. Tranmere then subbed Palmer and brought on Harrison.

McQuoid was dithering most of the time and not managing to get the ball from out of his feet. Francis was pinging crosses in but nothing was really working. Even when Hughes fed in McQuiod on the penalty spot he shot wide when the goal was gaping.

Ritchie and Pugh carved out another chance only for Pugh to head wide while Elphick was still having to make some big tackles at the other end. 

Arter was then booked for taking down his man in a miss timed tackle as full time approached.

The huge cheers of the day took place then when Super Fletch replaced Ritchie with chants of: ''if Fletcher scores we're on the pitch.'' But it was not to be.

Trophy snatched away from AFCB's grasp As the whistle went and the crowds flooded on to the pitch we all waited for news from the Brentford and Doncaster match. Still 0:0 things were looking good, then Brentford had a penalty, even better we thought. Trotter had stepped up and hit the bar unknown to us and Donny had gone down the other end with Paynter and Coppinger and had won the game in injury time. Donny were champs and AFCB were second.

Good news at first, AFCB could be champions

Bournemouth fans await the Brentford and Doncaster result 

The air in our lungs had been sucked out just like the beach balls had been deflated by the smiling stewards. It was the end of the season and it had left with a whimper on the pitch but we were still going to celebrate out team's achievement even if there would be no cup to show for it.

It's not good news, but second is still a great achievement for AFCB

Long trip home

AFCB Player Ratings
Allsop 6, Francis 7, Cook 8, Elphick 7, Daniels 7, Ritchie 7, Arter 8, MacDonald 8, Pugh 6, Grabban 6, Pitman 7 

My man of the match was Arter although Cook pushed him hard.

AFCB unused Subs: Jalal, Seaborne, Fogden, Tubbs

Tranmere v AFCB match preview

The final day of the season for League One teams will soon be here. AFCB have the chance to be Champions if they can get a record 9th win in a row in the league and put a further dampener on Tranmere Rovers last home game of the season.

It has now been made known that Tranmere Rovers are the ones preventing AFCB fans from celebrating with the trophy if the Cherries did become League One Champions on Saturday. It doesn't do the Merseyside club's fans any justice as they might even be appreciative of what the Cherries have achieved this season, but now they too will not be able to watch us lift the trophy either if AFCB win the game.

It was very evident that Carlisle's smurf's were keen to see how AFCB supporters celebrated last weekend and I doubt most Tranmere fans would have had any objections.

While other talk this week has been about the banning of inflatables, it is Tranmere Rovers who ran out of puff during the run-in as AFCB just got stronger and stronger. The Superwhites have been on an abysmal run in March and April, although they have recorded two home wins during this period. It is their form in April that scuppered any hopes they might have had in gaining promotion as they have lost their last five games in tight 1:0 encounters.

Jake Cassidy is their top scorer with 11 goals, but I have been informed that he returned to Wolves in January. Akpa Akpro usually provides great support up front with his physical presence. Midfielder Andy Robinson is also a good goal source having registered 10 this season.

In addition, Tranmere have the delightfully named Max Power who also plays in midfield - I bet he has a good battery! Sorry.

Tranmere have already done Eddie Howe's team talk for him for this game. The promise of no trophy until Sunday if they win should give the boys the incentive to get stuck into the Superwhites. 

I can't see anything other than an away win for this game with the current form of the Cherries. Sure, it won't be easy on the sand bed of a pitch that we will see at Prenton Park, but the Barmy Army voices should inspire the Cherries to a memorable title win.

Then let the partying begin, unless you are a Tranmere official.

Any score predictions are welcome and I'll post them as usual on the site. Can you get the score right for the last game?

Tranmere Rovers Home Form:
DWWLL

AFCB Away Form:
LWWWW

Trophies, bus tours and fans

It is quite possible that the order of the headline for this article is the wrong way round and certain people should be thinking about core fans first at AFCB rather than last. I am referring to the Sunday Bus Tour in the main, which is not well timed when many loyal AFCB followers are staying up in Chester or Tranmere after Saturday's game and now have the problem of trying to see how they can get back in time to see the team and the League One trophy (hopefully) preseneted in Bournemouth.

It is clearly a problem for the authorities In Bournemouth to have events scheduled for the Bank Holiday weekend. It would seem that now the weather has improved and tourists are likely to flock to Bournemouth to see some sunshine, football celebrations are not welcome.

I also understand that Merseyside Police do not want to see any potential for crowd trouble at Tranmere's ground and would rather not let AFCB celebrate a possible Champion celebration there on Saturday. No doubt the cost of the extra police is something Tranmere Rovers are not keen on anyway.

But you have to say it is not particularly a favourable way to reward many core fans who booked their tickets weeks ago to follow the Cherries in the last game of the season. I know of many who have booked accommodation in Chester overnight and who now have to think about scrapping that idea to return to the south coast on Saturday night.

Success can be troublesome at times.

A crucial weekend of fixtures ahead

You have to say that there are some mouth-watering ties coming up this weekend at the top of League One. While we hope things go AFCB's way there are certainly some fixtures that could spring a surprise or two which would help the Cherries' automatic promotion bid.

First up is the Doncaster v Tranmere tie. While Tranmere have fallen away a bit of late, they should be expected to have a real go against Donny if they want to keep their hopes of the play-offs in tact.

Meanwhile, Doncaster have been getting results but not in spectacular fashion and it would not be a big shock if Tranmere could turn them over. Of course, that would more than likely put Tranmere back among the top six. I am already getting nervous about 27th April!

The Coventry v Brenford match is another tantalising tussle in prospect. With Coventry City filing an appeal to the football league about their 10 point deduction, they will see that they still could have something to play for if they were to be successful in over turning the points deduction decision. I imagine all kinds of pandemonium would break out if the league did give them the 10 points back, but stranger things have happened.

Brentford have not been playing well away from home and they have one of the poorest forms in away fixtures of late, having gained just three points from their last six away games, scoring 2 and conceding 13. So can the Sky Blues do the Cherries a huge favour? I do expect a home win here.

The big thorn in our promotion bid that I can see is Sheffield Utd who have also been dropping points of late and they do not have an easy fixture this weekend with a visit to Walsall's ground. The Saddlers are in with a real chance of the play-off places and they will not be giving the Blades any rest bite as they will need the points if they are to overtake Tranmere. I'm gong for another home win.

Yeovil take on Shrewsbury at home who will be AFCB's next opponents. I would really like the Shrews to get the points so that they are safe when we play them next weekend.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that Swindon Town don't play until Tuesday night when they take on MK Dons who have a habit of spoiling parties and I wouldn't bet against Karl Robnson's side doing exactly that. Sheffield Utd will also play Crawley on Tuesday evening as one of their catch up games.

A win for Bournemouth at the weekend could guarantee them a top six finish if other results go their way. It looks like automatic promotion will be between Doncaster, Bournemouth, Brentford and Sheffield Utd, but could there be another twist? AFCB can't afford to slip ups in its remaining fixtures, but positivity is surrounding everything at the club at the moment and I hope that continues.