AFC Bournemouth was founded in 1899 in Bournemouth, on England's south coast, originally under the name Boscombe FC. The club adopted its current name in 1972, and has spent much of its history competing in the lower tiers of English football, building a loyal local following along the way.
The defining chapter in the club's modern story began in 2008, when Bournemouth filed for administration while in League One, suffering a points deduction that sent them down to League Two. The turnaround was swift and dramatic. Manager Eddie Howe — a former Bournemouth defender — stabilised the club, and after investment from Russian businessman Maxim Demin, Bournemouth climbed steadily through the divisions. They won the Championship title in 2014–15, earning their first-ever promotion to the Premier League in the club's 116-year history.
Bournemouth spent five consecutive seasons in the Premier League before relegation in 2020, then bounced back by winning the Championship in 2021–22 under Scott Parker. A second relegation followed, but the club returned again and under manager Andoni Iraola recorded their highest-ever Premier League finish of 9th place in 2024–25, also setting a new club record for points in a top-flight season.
The Cherries — named for the club's red-and-black stripes, with cherry red being the defining colour — have become a symbol of resilience and ambitious growth from a relatively small coastal town. Their domestic honours include one Championship title and one Football League Trophy (1983–84).