After writing to Bournemouth requesting information about their badge, I received a reply from the International Tennis Federation in London. So by way of thanks, I will give them a plug. (PIC 1) I can only assume they are part of the same company, or John Treleven of the ITF is a big Bournemouth fan or both even. Anyway thank you, John, for the following and, I quote: “Bournemouth have asked me to reply on their behalf to your request. The current badge was introduced in 1971 to symbolise the new dynamic club at the same time as the team (but not the company) became AFC Bournemouth instead of Boscombe and Bournemouth Athletic. The stripes in the background represent the club shirt at that time and in the foreground is a futuristic player heading the ball. There were promotions at the time entitled Head for the top with AFC Bournemouth. I hope that is of use”. Thank you, John, it was. But as long as they play football like Cliff Richard plays tennis they won’t be heading to the top of anything. Sorry about that but as a Saints fan I could not resist.
Truth be told at the moment Bournemouth are playing football like Andy Murray plays tennis and until recently were plying their trade in the Premiership. Anyway back to the badge and what we have is a logo representing Bournemouth looking to the future. The club’s name tops the shield. AFC Bournemouth were certainly looking to the future when they were founded in 1899 and was originally called Boscombe FC. The team like many others at the time used a pub called the Portman as a changing room, and in 1910 were given the nickname “The Cherries” after their red and white tops, and the fact that they were located near some cherry orchards. In 1923 Boscombe made their way into the Football League and during that year changed their name to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club.
The old Boscombe played in the Kings Park area where the new Fitness First Stadium, or Vitality Stadium as Dean Court is now called was situated. The official capacity for Dean Court as the fans still call it is 11,329. Bournemouth had to play at Dorchester while work was being completed at Dean Court, which opened in November 2001 to a capacity crowd. The name Bournemouth comes from being on the mouth of the River Bourne, and Bourne itself is from the Anglo-Saxon for a stream. Rivals of Bournemouth are of course the Jones family next door, whom they are trying to keep up with. Portsmouth, Brighton, and for some reason Reading are also rivals. For more on “The Cherries” pick your way to www.afcb.co.uk
