AFC Bournemouth supporters are celebrating a historic milestone as their club plays its first-ever European fixture on Thursday night. The Cherries face Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League in San Sebastian, a moment fans never dreamed of during the club's financial struggles decades ago.
Fans have travelled from across the UK and beyond to be part of the occasion. Liam Baker, from Bournemouth, said he would not miss it for the world. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and for everyone," he said. "It's unbelievable to be here."
Seth Hemmingway, who travelled with Baker, recalled a much shorter trip to Carlisle for an FA Cup match in 2011 as his previous longest journey. "I thought 'surely this is the longest journey I'm ever going to take to watch Bournemouth' but here we are," he said. The group used a car, train, bus, and plane to reach Spain.
The sense of disbelief was shared by Amanda Williams from Blandford Forum, who said she had to pinch herself regularly. Tom Harwood expected an emotional night when the Champions League anthem plays, though he admitted leaving his 31-week-pregnant girlfriend back in Bournemouth was tough. Ryan Baker, now living in Colchester, said the atmosphere among travelling fans had been extremely lively with plenty of chanting.
Even supporters abroad are caught up in the moment. Tracy Olsen in Florida, who only discovered the club three years ago, now flies a Cherries flag outside her home. She typically watches matches at a Premier League soccer pub in Orlando or at home with friends.
The historic night comes as Bournemouth carry positive form into the competition. They are unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions, a run that includes a 2-1 victory over this same Real Sociedad side just days ago on September 17. Justin Kluivert and Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha scored the goals in that win. You can review the club's recent results and upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
In the Premier League, the Cherries currently sit 15th with three points from four games. Their focus will quickly return to domestic duties, with a home match against 8th-placed Liverpool next on Sunday, September 20.
For the hundreds of fans in San Sebastian, however, the present is all that matters. This Europa League debut represents the pinnacle of a long and unlikely journey for a club that was on the brink of collapse thirty years ago.
The report in full is at bbc.com
