We’ll leave the old mathematical miracles to one side and say Bournemouth sealed their promotion to the Premier League with a classy 3-0 win over Bolton.
They’re three points clear of third-place Middlesbrough with one match – against Charlton – to play, with a goal difference fully 19 goals superior to their nearest ‘rivals’.
Bournemouth celebrating like they've completely ruled out a 19-0 defeat at The Valley on Saturday. We'll see… #cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 27, 2015
But what does the Premier League need to look out for?
1. They have an exciting young English manager.
The achievements of Eddie Howe at Bournemouth make me wonder whether we've possibly found the English 'special one'.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 27, 2015
Congratulations to #afcbournemouth and manager Eddie Howe. Fantastic achievement and fully deserved.
— Jimmy Floyd (@jf9hasselbaink) April 27, 2015
Eddie Howe started his professional career with the club and, after leaving for Portsmouth, such was his popularity that fans actually raised money to get him back.
He became a coach at 29 after a couple of spells on the Bournemouth staff and went on to become manager. He left for Burnley in 2011 but returned in 2012, the lure of Dean Court proving too strong. Howe’s overall record is played 243, won 126, drawn 49, lost 68.
Very big things are expected of him. Now he has the chance to prove his worth on the big stage.
2. They play proper football.
Based on that performance I don't think we'll hear any boring boring Bournemouth chants nxt year in the prem! Congrats Bournemouth & E.Howe
— Jermaine Jenas (@jjenas8) April 27, 2015
Tell you who don't play boring football; Bournemouth. They'll be an excellent addition to the PL. Look forward to welcoming them on MOTD.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 27, 2015
You know how one team every year gets promoted playing good football? Yeah, that’s Bournemouth. Lots of people tuning in to watch their promotion party tonight were discovering this for the first time.
Will they have success in the Premier League or will they need to change their style? It’s hard to see Howe reverting to long balls somehow.
3. Chairman Jeff Mostyn is a Manchester City fan.
The Bournemouth chairman is my favourite person in the world tonight. What a man!!
— Robin Chipperfield (@sportchippers) April 27, 2015
Asked who he was looking forward to welcoming to Dean Court next season, the chairman replied: “For me, Manchester City. I’ve been a fan all my life.”
4. Dean Court will be one of the smallest grounds in Premier League history.
It has a capacity of just 12,000. This is not the luxurious surroundings of the Emirates or Old Trafford. Perhaps Bournemouth will be the new: “But can he do it on a wet Wednesday night at Stoke?”
That said, travelling fans will love visiting what you might call a proper football ground. Oh, and there’s this…
Dean Court is going to be on the next FIFA game. Take that in.
— Fred Nathan (@FreddieNathan) April 27, 2015
5. This is the first time Bournemouth have been in the Premier League.
Great scenes at Bournemouth as the fans celebrate being all but promoted to the Premier League for the first time. pic.twitter.com/qpmxsMGYDA
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 27, 2015
Last season’s 10th-placed finish in the Championship was their best-ever return. In fact only a few years ago, they nearly dropped out of the Football League entirely. On April 25, 2009 Bournemouth beat Grimsby 2-1 to preserve their league status.
Steve Fletcher scored the winning goal that day – his 100th in the league. Fletcher now has a stand named after him and works for the club as a scout.
6. They are very, very good at winning penalties.
16 – Bournemouth have been awarded 16 penalties this season in the league, five more than any other side in the Top 4 Tiers. Spotted.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2015
Their impressive strike force of Callum Wilson and Yann Kermorgant seem to know how to get the referee to blow his whistle.
Wilson always seems to have time to take an extra touch in the area. Clever player.
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) April 27, 2015
Of course, the team will probably look quite different by the time they kick off next season…
As if there's any doubt that Kermorgant's going to lose his Premier League dream to Sam Vokes, Fraizer Campbell or an on-loan Chuba Akpom.
— Football Clichés (@FootballCliches) April 27, 2015
Source: SNAPPA
