AFC BOURNEMOUTH 24.09.11

HOW TO GET THERE

CAR
Bournemouth’s ground is very handily located just off the A228 Wessex Way which is the main route in this area. Follow this road towards Bournemouth. The ground is situated on the left outskirts of town. If you keep looking up to the left as you go into Bournemouth you will eventually see the tops of the ground floodlights. At this point take the next exit off the A338 and turn left towards the ground.

PARKING
There is a large club car park located at the ground, but due to the location these spaces may prove difficult for getting away after the game. There is a council run car park on the opposite side of the dual carriageway, which may be better for getting away quickly after the game. The area is residential, with typical suburban side streets. This means that street parking is an option, but as usual beware of residents only schemes.

TRAIN
Pokesdown is the closest station to the ground and around 10 minute walk. This is a small local station that is not very well served, so you are more likely to end up at the main Bournemouth Station. You can walk it in around 20-25 minutes and its well placed for sampling a few of the pubs in the town centre. To get to the ground exit the station and turn left onto Holdenhurst Road. Follow this road until you can clearly see the floodlights on your right, and then obviously head towards them. I remember walking this once with my missus when we stayed the weekend down there. The thing that stood out was the number of sex shops along this road; I think that we counted about 5! This was about 8 years ago so they may not be all still open, but if this is your interest a would recommend getting there a bit earlier so that you have time to visit them all.

PUBS/FOOD
Previously away fans have headed for The Queens Park Hotel before the game, which was an average pub in a decent location. Unfortunately this pub is now for home fans only, a policy which was strictly adhered to on our visit last season. Options near to the ground are therefore limited now but here is a selection that may help you find refreshment;

The Cherry Bar- This is a club themed bar at the ground that is now available for away supporters to use. The downstairs section is for home fans only but visitors are welcome in the upstairs room. I have never used this bar but would expect it to have decent facilities like the rest of the ground.

The Dolphin- A Google search of this pub will reveal that there was a murder outside of this pub a couple of years ago, but hopefully things will be a little bit friendlier of Saturday. I have visited the pub a few times on visits and last season I found that it had been greatly improved. It is a large pub located on Holdenhurst Road, just past the sex shops, around half-way between the station and the ground. It serves cheap drinks and food as well as showing Sky Sports, which will hopefully still be the theme. Last season there was a healthy number of Poolies drinking in here, including families. There are no issues with the small number of home fans that also use this pub. Members of South East Poolies will be heading to this pub before the game.

Sir Percy Florence- This is a Wetherspoons pub located on Christchurch Street in Boscombe, which is a short walk from the ground. These pubs are normally sterile but functional places which serve their purpose on a low-budget. However reviews of this pub are some of the worst that I have read, even by the usual Wetherspoons standards. They highlight a very poor service and standard of food, as well as clientele that make a visit uncomfortable and occasionally violent! The choice is yours.

Cricketers Arms- From the ground head over the cricket pitch and onto Windham Road. The pub is located down this road and serves a decent range of ales in a friendly atmosphere. Although not a typical match-day pub, this place is not too far from the ground and is popular with locals. I have been advised that it is expensive though.

As mentioned in the train section, there are many pubs in Bournemouth town centre. Experience tells me that these can be very expensive so chose wisely, unless of course you are also on the rob down there. The town centre is right as you leave the station heading on Holdenhurst Road. The nearest are as follows;

The Christopher Creeke- This is a Lloyds No.1 bar, which is the slightly posher arm of Wetherspoons. This will be cheaper than most pubs in the centre and will be good for meals.

Samsons Bar- This is another pub that has a murder in its history, when the bar manager was fatally stabbed in 2007. Apparently it’s a lifeless, rundown dump of a place with a reputation for violence. May be worth a look.

The Inferno- Cheap bar aimed at students with silly prices on offer, apparently as little as £1 a pint. Decide for yourself as to the standard of beer you are likely to be served for that price. Personally if I was unfortunate to end up in here I would be demanding bottled lager.

There is not a lot around the ground in terms of food, so you would be best to eat at one of the pubs mentioned or grab something in the ground.

DEAN COURT- Capacity 12,060 All-Seated
The ground was rebuilt in 2001, with the result being a smart, functional ground with decent facilities.

Away fans are housed in the East Stand, where around 1,500 seats are allocated. This stand is shared with home fans, who are separated by the usual black-netting. It’s easy to make a bit of noise in this stand and it offers good views running along the pitch. It has the usual modern concourse facilities beneath the stand, which includes a bar. The bar was closed on a previous visit due to trouble that had occurred in the town centre before the game, but I wouldn’t expect such problems on this visit. SEP Member Tim managed to get into the ground as an OAP last season despite being about 35 (well slightly exaggerated, but he certainly isn’t a OAP).

Opposite is the Main Stand, which of course houses the executive boxes and the posh people. This also houses the club offices at the back containing the club shop and ticket office. It must be said that the facilities are of a good level behind this stand.

To the right of the away fans is the North Stand, which has a typical behind the goal feel, creating the majority of the atmosphere within the ground. In previous visits there has been quite a good atmosphere within the ground. There was also a bit of bother with the Bournemouth Chairman and the clubs fans in front of this stand at their last home game.

To the left was the South Stand. This was small temporary seated stand and the only one in the ground without a cover. In times of cost cutting and reduced crowds the club have had this stand removed.

SAFETY
Although Bournemouth fans do not have a bad reputation there was a lot of trouble when the 2 clubs played one the last day of the season a few years ago. I personally had a bit of bother that day with a group of brave souls, who cemented their reputation as hard-men by knocking my phone out of my hand smashing it at the same time. I was on my own at the time, which is worth bearing in mind.

SOUTH EAST POOLIES
A few members of the SEP will be heading to the Dolphin pub for some pre-match refreshment. Feel free to pop over and have a chat with them.

PRICE