AFC Bournemouth: Fitness First Stadium, Dean Court, Bournemouth BH7 7AF (01202) 395381 ; Ticket office: 01202 726 303 History: Formed in 1899 as Boscombe FC and played in local leagues in a park near the current ground. and signed its first professional player in 1910. Its ambitions led to the club eventually adding Bournemouth to its name and joining the Third Divsion South in 1923. The club still holds the record for the longest continuing period spent in Division Three. The club's FA Cup run in 1957 included giant-killing defeats of Wolves and Spurs, before losing to the Busby Babes in front of a record home crowd. The team in the early 1970s under John Bond (the current manager's father) included goal machine Ted Macdougall, who scored nine goals in the club's record win against Margate. Under Harry Redknapp, still a local resident, the club enjoyed a notable cup scalp against Manchester Utd in 1984 and also led the Cherries to the Div 3 title. After three seasons and relegation, the 1990s were dominated by financial troubles although in 1997 a rescue was engineered as a community club. The club also redeveloped its ground in 2000 and Sean O'Driscoll brought more success on the field until he left to manage Doncaster Record Attendance: 28,799 v Man Utd. FA Cup 6, 1957 Capacity: 10,770 Last season: 21st Honours: Div 3 champions 1986/1987; play off winners 2002, Div 3 South runners-up 1947/1948; Div 4 runners-up 1970-71. Record victory: 11-0 v Margate, FA Cup, Nov 1971 Defeat: 0-9 v Lincoln City, Third Div 1982 Nickname: The Cherries. Colours: Red and white Manager: Jimmy Quinn Chairman: Jeff Mostyn Players in: Sammy Igoe, Scott Guyett, Alan Connell (Brentford), Joel Ward (Bournemouth, loan), Shwan Jalal (Peterboro, loan), Craig Lindfield (Liverpool, loan) Joel Ward (Portsmouth, loan for season), Scott Wagstaff (Charlton, loan), Ricky Sappleton (Leicester, loan) Players out: Sam Vokes (Wolves), Jo Kuffour (Bristol Rovers) Famous fans/players/connections: John Bond, Harry Rednapp, Alec Stock and David Webb (managers), Ted Macdougall (player) Click for Streetmap of ground

M40 at J9, take the next exit towards Oxford and follow signs to Newbury. Join the M4 and at J15, take the A345 to Marlborough, then via Salisbury and Ringwood on the A338. Take the A31 to Bournemouth, take the left hand lane for the A338 Bournemouth. After the Cooper Dean flyover by the leisure centre and JP Morgan Chase offices (on the left), the ground is signposted and the floodlights can be seen on the left hand side. Parking: Main car-park is behind the East Stand. Some street parking available, but restrictions in some areas. Directions from the club website

The stadium is 20 minutes walk. From Bournemouth Central Station, walk towards the main road by ASDA onto (Holderhurst Road) and then turn left. Follow the road for about 15 minutes past The Dolphin and Queen's Park pubs. As you pass a small roundabout by a telephone kiosk, cross the road, keep ahead into Littledown Avenue, then take the first right into Thistlebarrow Road.

AAA Radiocars Tel: 0800 654321 Ace Taxis Tel: 01202 767676 Alpha Taxis Tel: 01202 779999 Central Taxis Tel: 01202 394455 People carriers available on 01202 555511 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach: time 6.30am, £33. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Trains (Times updated Aug '08): Darlington: 08.00 - Kings Cross 10.41, underground (Piccadilly and Northern lines) to Waterloo; 11.35 arr 13.20. Rtn: 17.21 - arr London Waterloo 19.20, underground to Kings Cross, 20.30 arr 23.07. Fares: Advance fare: £67 return, saver return £124.80 London Waterloo: 09.35-arr 11.20 or 11.35-arr 13.20; rtn 17.21-arr 19.20 or 17.59-arr 19.49. Fares: Advance return £18, saver return £36.70 Birmingham New Street: 07.03-arr 11.27 or 09.03-1315; rtn: 17.45-arr 21.45. Fares: Advance return £37.50; saver return £71.50 Cardiff Central: 07.30-Southampton (10.02) 10.24-arr Bournemouth 1100; rtn: 17.21-Southampton (17.57) 18.10-20.41. Fares: Advance return £27, saver return £40.40.

Attractions include the Bournemouth Oceanarium and the Bournemouth Int Centre. There are two cinemas within a few yards of each other, an IMAX near the pier for really rainy days.

Visitor Information Bureau, Westover Road Bournemouth BH1 2BU (0906) 802 0234 general, (01202) 451700 accommodation.

There's a decent accommodation list with links on the tourist office's Bournemouth accommodation list, There are plenty of hotels for all budgets in the West Cliff area - 10 minutes from the promendade - or off Poole Road.

Real ale/Near the stadium Bournemouth has plenty of pubs and clubs, with quite a reputation for its nightlife, far from the zimmer frame image of the past. The Bournemouth Info guide has perhaps the best overall run-down. The Goat and Tricyle 27-29 West Hill Road, West Cliff, Bournemouth DAFTS HQ - Wadsworths plus at least four other real ales, fruit wines and a good choice of food served. Open from 12pm Saturdays and from 6pm weekdays. Ten minute taxi ride to the ground. DAFTS recommended Click for map Porterhouse, 113 Poole Rd, Westbourne, Bournemouth. If you've got the time, this is across town, a few miles from the ground, further along the A35. A one-bar pub for serious drinkers. No games, no fruit machines, just decent booze. Click for map The Shoulder of Mutton, 1010 Ringwood Rd Old real ale pub, which can be found 400 yards from the Clock garage on a slip road, five miles out of town, on the A348 between Poole and Ringwood. Click for map Near/at the stadium The Queen's Park 482 Holdenhurst Rd Large footie pub a short walk from the ground, on the A3049. Decent enough ale, Sky Sports and away fan friendly. The Portman 97 Ashley Road. Another large pub, with Eldridge Pope beers further down from the Queen's Park, over the railway bridge and on the right. This used to be the club's changing room in the old days.DAFTS recommended.

Catering in the ground was excellent, with pies a very good value - a good range of steak, Balti and vegetarian, with decent pastry. Also burgers, crisps and chocolate and the service efficiently run too. There's also a bar. There are plenty of restaurants, ones we tried include La Buss La Italian 14 Poole Hill, 01202 293064, decent Middle Eastern food at the Lebanese bistro Retro, 79-81 Charminster Rd, 01202 315865 and a Nepalese curry house The Himalay 10 Queen's Road, 01202 565589, booking advisable. There's also a Harry Ramsden's and KFC near the East Cliff Promenade and a cafe on the pier.

If you'd like to be e-mailed a regular bulletin with the latest updates on this site - including details of DAFTS members known to be travelling then E-mail DAFTS Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Online map Hotels/B&Bs Evening Echo Tourism site Beach Guide B'mouth Info B'mouth.com Council site Surfing there... Both Cherries' main websites are pretty good, the Rednblack Net - a Rivals site, includes a decent guide for visitors. There's also the Official site, which is better than most and includes a comprehensive pictoral guide to the redeveloped stadium. There's also the Court Offside fanzine, which seems a bit dormant, and an Dave's Unofficial Site with a history of the club. Bournemouth Exiles Club is the equivalent of DAFTS. Last away match: Macclesfield Town (Saturday 1st May, 3pm) No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling. © DAFTS 2009 Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions. Back to index page