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    • AFC Bournemouth – A Transfer Window Round-Up

      Incomings

      AFC Bournemouth welcomed four new faces to the club this January.

      Fraser Forster

      The first signing The Cherries made was on the first day of window in Fraser Forster who they managed to sign on a free following his spell at Tottenham Hotspur last season winning the Europa League. With Will Dennis picking up a lengthy injury it was key to bring in a replacement as soon as possible. He has since featured in 3 matchdays for AFC Bournemouth but not picking up any minutes.

      Alex Toth

      The next incoming for AFC Bournemouth was Hungarian youngster Alex Toth from Ferencvaros for a sum of £10 million and a 5 ½ contract. Toth made 57 appearances for Ferencvaros and was a key player in the side. He has also featured on the international stage and has picked up 9 caps for the Hungarian National Team. Alex Toth has featured off the bench twice for The Cherries, one being their empathic win against Liverpool and a 2-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend.

      Rayan

      AFC Bournemouth’s recruitment team look to have hit the jackpot yet again, this time with Brazilian teenager Rayan from Vasco da Gama for a reported £24.7 million with £5.6 million in add-ons on a contract lasting him until June 2031. One big talking point with AFC Bournemouth’s transfers is their young talent leaving for way under the price but this doesn’t look to be the case with Rayan as his contract includes an £89 million release clause starting from his second season. The Brazilian has already featured for The Cherries being used as a substitute in their 2-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday where he managed to pick up an assist to secure all 3 points.

      Christos Mandas

      The final incoming for AFC Bournemouth in the January transfer window is Greek international Mandas who joins on loan from Serie A side Lazio until the end of the season. Only featuring once for Lazio this season in a 1-0 win against AC Milan in the Coppa Italia picking up the Player Of The Match award after keeping a clean sheet, he is set to be AFC Bournemouth’s number 2 and to keep pressure on current keeper Djorde Petrovic to improve his performances after a tough first half of the season. He also featured on the bench as an unused substitute in the 2-0 win on Saturday.

       

      Outgoings

      Three players left the club this window with the main one being forward Semenyo leaving for Manchester City.

      Julian Araujo

      After only featuring once for AFC Bournemouth this season in a 2-0 loss to Brentford in the Carabao Cup in which he picked up a red card, he was only seen as a bench player for The Cherries. It was important for him to leave in the January transfer window to gain first team minutes and build his confidence back up and his move to Scottish side Celtic is exactly the move he needed. He has featured in all 5 games since his arrival with Celtic fans seeming to like the Mexican international after their 2-0 win at Falkirk at the weekend to keep themselves in the title race.

      Romain Faivre

      It hasn’t been the career that Frenchman Romain Faivre would have wanted at AFC Bournemouth with only 6 appearances for them in the 2023/24 season. Since then he has been sent out on loan to Ligue Un side Brest and Saudi Arabian side Al-Taawoun but has since been recalled and sent back out on loan to Ligue Un this time to AJ Auxerre where he has featured 3 times but has yet to hit the road running.

      Antoine Semenyo

      After signing a contract extension in the summer AFC Bournemouth fans were happy to see him stay for the foreseeable future but this wasn’t the case as clubs were extremely interested in his £65 million release clause. Joining the South Coast side from Bristol City in the 2022/23 season the Ghanaian has racked up 110 appearances for the club and contributed 33 times. His prime came at the start of this campaign with 10 goals in 20 games. His final game was a 3-2 win against Tottenham Hotspur in which he got a 95th minute winner and gave his farewell to The Cherries before his move to Manchester City where his form has continued scoring 4 goals in 5 games.

      Overall a successful window for AFC Bournemouth who are looking to push on in the second half of the season and possibly gain European football.

    • AFC Bournemouth Women See Off Leyton Orient Women to make it through to Round 3

       

      Another game hits the BetWright Stadium today as Tier 7 side Leyton Orient take on Tier 3 side AFC Bournemouth in the 2nd round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Going into the game both sides were unbeaten in their respective leagues in all competitions with the home side scoring over 100 goals. 

       

      As kick-off approached the home side were confident that they could pull off a cup upset and write history whilst The Cherries are looking to advance into the third round for the 2nd time. 

       

      It only took AFC Bournemouth six minutes to open the scoring with captain Abby Jones floating in a cross which fell through the keeper’s hands and ended up in the back of the net. Another attack by The Cherries as Jones drives into the box but Molly Barron-Clarks shot is blocked.

       

      But it wasn’t long before the away side doubled their lead through another defensive error by Leyton Orient. Kenni Thompson puts a cross into the box from a free kick, which is flicked into a dangerous area by Jessica Hennesey taking an unlucky deflection off of Orient midfielder Haley West who turns it into the back of her own net.

       

      Opportunities keep on coming for AFC Bournemouth as Sophie Quirk presses the defence, winning the ball back before she unleashes a shot at goal but it glides just wide of the post.

       

      After a few corners went amidst it was Katie James’ inswinging cross in the 25th minute which found the back of the net after taking a deflection at the near post by Leyton Orient’s number 19 Kallie Balfour to make it 3-0 to AFC Bournemouth.

       

      But it wasn’t long until the home side had a chance of their own straight from kick-off, as Wiktoria Franc plays as ball up to Steph Mccaffrey who beats the defender and plays a ball into inform striker Sammy Rowland whose first time strike beats Katie Scadding and finds the back of the AFC Bournemouth net. Which takes her tally to 14 in this season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup with the hope of winning back to back FA Cup golden boots.

       

      Another corner from Abby Jones as the clock approached 30 minutes led to another goal for The Cherries as she played a one-two with Sophie Quirk and whipping in a cross which was cleared by the Leyton Orient defence only to find Quirk on the edge on the box, who strikes a half volley into the bottom corner beating O’s keeper Lola Durojaiye, doubling her tally for the game.

       

      As half-time approached AFC Bournemouth extended their lead to 5-1 as Elena Cole grabs her first goal for The Cherries after Kenni Thompson’s corner was flicked across the box by the Orient defence, Cole strikes the ball first time to find the back of the net to give the away side a four goal lead going into half-time.

       

      Fresh legs for both sides at the interval with Treweek, Bowers and Williams coming on for AFC Bournemouth and Leyton Orient bringing on defender Emily Dillaway and Georgia Griffin.

       

      A strong start from Leyton Orient in the second half who created numerous chances and looked like a much stronger side then in the first 45 minutes. A few shots towards goal from the home side but none troubling the AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper. 

       

      A quick breakaway from AFC Bournemouth with a well timed ball through to Jenna Markham from Sophie Quirk but a fine save from O’s keeper Durojaiye denied them from extending their lead. 

       

      The best chance of the half came from the home side with Lucy Porter picking the ball up in the middle of the AFC Bournemouth half who loses her defender and has a long range strike at goal, only to be denied by a superb save by Katie Scadding who tips it onto the cross bar.

       

      It wasn’t long before The Cherries had a chance of their own up the other end with Sophie Quirk playing another brilliant timed pass from her own half into the feet of Jenna Markham, who goes 1 on 1 with the keeper and applies a neat finish into the back of the net to make it 6-1.

       

      Another brilliant attack by AFC Bournemouth this time down the left hand side with Abby Jones playing a lovely outside the foot pass into Emilia Newton who floats a cross into the back post, which is found by Sophie Quirk who doubles her lead for this afternoon.

       

      AFC Bournemouth continued to apply the pressure to the Leyton Orient back line with a ball through to Jenna Markham but was challenged by a brilliant sliding tackle by the Leyton Orient defender. 

       

      In the final 10 minutes AFC Bournemouth were controlling the game, with a few more chances going amidst but after yet another dominant display from the travelling side it was The Cherries who have made it through to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup 3rd round for the second time in their history. 

       

      The 3rd round draw is live on the Adobe Women’s FA Cup channels on Monday 24th November at 7pm with games to be played on Sunday 14th December (Subject to Television Movement) 

       

      Leyton Orient XI – Jason Stephans

      Lola Durojaiye, Lois Heuchan, Grace Gillard, Wiktoria Fronc, Sammy Rowland, Lucy Porter, Hayley West, Gemma Abela, Ellie Leek, Kallie Balfour, Steph Mccaffrey.

       

      Substitutes: Ruby Abela, Emily Dillaway, Georgia Griffin, Poppy Binding, Wiktoria Kiszkis, Esme Lancaster, Olivia Mcgregor.

       

      AFC Bournemouth XI – Helen Bleazard

      Katie Scadding, Abby Jones, Jessica Hennessy, Freya Meadows Tuson, Kenni Thompson, Molly Barron-Clark, Sophie Quirk, Katie James, Elena Cole, Jenna Markham, Charlotte Harris.

       

      Substitutes: Erin Foley, Phoebe Williams, Georgia Wilson, Emilia Newton, Kelci Bowers, Amber Treweek.

    • Leyton Orient Women Take On AFC Bournemouth Women In FA Cup Clash

      (Photo by @cameronlissimore)

       

      Leyton Orient Women vs AFC Bournemouth Women – Adobe Women’s FA Cup 2nd round

      Sunday 23rd November 2025 – 1pm Kick Off

      BetWright Stadium – Brisbane Road

       

      Another game hits Brisbane Road this weekend as Leyton Orient Women host South Coast side AFC Bournemouth in the 2nd round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. The O’s are looking to pull off a cup upset as they host The Cherries who sit 4 tiers above them. Leyton Orient swept aside higher tier side Dussindale and Hellesdon 5-1 in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round to set up a tie against today’s opponents. Both sides have been high-flying in their divisions this campaign with AFC Bournemouth currently sitting 2nd place and are unbeaten with a game in hand. Whilst Leyton Orient have been smashing home the goals with over 100 this season and sit top of Tier 7.

       

      Leyton Orient are the lowest ranked team left in the competition but that doesn’t mean anything when it comes to the FA Cup as we have seen in the past. Leyton Orient know a win against a team 4 tiers higher than them will give the squad the confidence to push on and make history within the club. 

       

      The away side won convincingly away from home in the previous round against Millbrook Ladies FC coming out as 11-0 winners to take them through to the Second Round Proper. Cherries forward Sophie Quirk is looking to add to her tally after grabbing a goal in the last round. Kenni Thompson is another player Leyton Orient should be looking out for, recently being on the scoresheet in the league and being called up to the Bermuda National Team.

       

      AFC Bournemouth comes into the game full of confidence after an unbeaten start this season. Winger Charlotte Harris knows how important it is to have a quick start if they want to advance to the next round ‘It’s going to be very important for us to have a fast start on Sunday. Since Leyton Orient are an unknown entity to us, it will give us great confidence if we can figure them out and break them down early.’ 

       

      Only being appointed at the beginning of the campaign it is definitely the start AFC Bournemouth manager Helen Bleazard would have wanted as they look to gain promotion into the 2nd tier of Women’s football. Harris’ spoke ahead of the clash and what Bleazard’s main message to the squad is ‘to keep the standards high, she expects us to play our best and stick to the game plan but still play with freedom with the FA cup meaning a lot to her and the club it is important we get through to the next round’

       

      This is going to be an entertaining clash for both sides going into this game and with the form both teams are on it is one to definitely keep your eyes on as they look to progress into the next round.

    • AFC Bournemouth Women vs Oxford United Women Match Report

      AFC Bournemouth Women vs Oxford United Women Match Report

      The Vitality Stadium is set for another entertaining encounter this time between the hosts AFC Bournemouth Women and Oxford United Women. With The Cherries looking to keep their undefeated record in the league and close the gap to leaders Watford, visitors Oxford United are looking for another 3 points after their dominant display against Billericay Town Women. 

      The first five minutes is exactly how The Cherries would have wanted the game to start. With a fast-paced attacking start The Cherries won a corner which got cleared away by the visitors, who had a chance of their own at the other end but was handled well by Erin Foley. The home side then broke the deadlock in the 11th minute with a well-timed ball out to the left hand side to Harris who cut in and placed the ball neatly into the right hand corner.

      After an attacking breakaway, Oxford United won a corner in the 14th minute which was cleared by the home side and led to a well-worked counter attacking move with Sophie Quirk having a shot from distance giving them a two goal advantage. The home side kept up the attacking threat with James and Bowers working well down the wing to force a save from U’s keeper Wookey. 

      Oxford United were unfortunately forced into an early change after striker Holly Turner collided with an AFC Bournemouth defender with Emma Thompson taking her place upfront. It was a strong start from the substitute who put a ball just wide of the post.

      The home side started the second half with the same intensity and applied pressure to the Oxford defence. But after a corner was swung in by United’s Grace Palmer, AFC Bournemouth struggled to clear their box and the visitors had their best chance of the game with captain Bedeau striking the bar. Another effort was attempted by the visitors but was comfortably seen wide by Foley.

      A few more chances were created by the home side with Kelci Bowers taking on a shot from just outside the box but didn’t trouble the visiting keeper Wookey. A late Oxford corner in the game by Jenna Legg was neatly finished by substitute Shaunna Jenkins in the final few minutes. Oxford United continued to apply the pressure but it wasn’t enough and The Cherries continued their unbeaten win to 8 games in the league putting them top the the table.  

      AFC Bournemouth Women Lineup: Erin Foley, Jess Hennessy, Freya Meadows Tuson, Kenni Thompson (69’), Sophie Quirk, Katie James, Elena Cole (83’), Jenna Markham (77’), Kelci Bowers (73’), Amber Treweek, Charlotte Harris

      Substitutes: Abby Jones (73’), Katie Scadding, Phoebe Williams (83’), Georgia Wilson (69’), Molly Barron-Clark (77’), Gemma McGuinness, Emilia Newton (83’)

      Oxford United Women Lineup: Bethany-May Wookey, Nicola Gibson (62’), Kate Wiseman (91’), Naomi Bedeau, Riva Casley, Nicole Barret (62’), Jenna Legg, Holly Turner (31’), Grace Palmer, Maisy Barker, Holly Manders (73’)

      Substitutes: Maddison Millington-Stanbury, Shaunna Jenkins (62’), Shelly Proven (73’), Ruby Sealey (62’), Lucy Trinder (91’), Emma Thompson (31’)

    • AFC Bournemouth Women vs Oxford United Women Preview

      AFC Bournemouth Women vs Oxford United Women Preview

      Wednesday 29th October 2025 

      FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division 

      Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth

      AFC Bournemouth Women return to action on Wednesday night as they welcome Oxford United Women down to the South Coast which is set to be an entertaining game. The South Coast side are looking to continue their unbeaten form in the league with Oxford United looking to gain a bit of consistency after recent results. 

      Helen Bleazard’s side have shown incredible growth in their first season at this level, The Cherries will look to build on their strong home form and with the backing of over 5000 fans at the Vitality Stadium they will see it as a great opportunity to gain another valuable 3 points. 

      Meanwhile, Oxford United travel down South to gain back consistency after a recent dip in form. The U’s being one of the more experienced teams in the league, forwards Holly Turner will be looking to continue her great form after scoring 14 goals in 21 matches last season for Hashtag United. 

      These two sides met last year in the FAWNL Cup where Oxford United gained a narrow win, but since this tie Bournemouth have significantly improved their defence and the home advantage could give them the edge over Oxford United. With AFC Bournemouth looking to apply pressure on title challengers Watford, with Oxford United are looking to close the gap to the teams above.

    • The Cost of Loyalty: Are Rising Ticket Prices Pushing Away Fans?

      The Cost of Loyalty: Are Rising Ticket Prices Pushing Away Fans?

      For most fans across the country the sound of the final whistle isn’t the hardest part of a matchday, it’s the moment when they get home and check their bank after paying for tickets, travel and a matchday pint. Many fans these days are struggling to afford to do the thing they love and the passion for the beautiful game is slowing fading away. This piece explores the soaring costs in football from matchday tickets to streaming services and how they are changing the landscape for football fans.

      Even the most loyal fans who have been attending matches for years are still being punished by high rising ticket price. Arsenals cheapest season ticket is currently at £1127 which is the most expensive in the league, and when you add in travelling to the stadium and any food or drink you buy it turns out to be very expensive. It’s not just the ‘big six’ that make significant changes to their ticketing prices clubs like AFC Bournemouth have also made changes to their season ticket prices over the past ten years. In the past decade the price of a season ticket has jumped up by 40% from £550 to £760 and even though the quality of football has risen the capacity of the South Coast club makes it mere impossible for fans to get tickets.

      Since 2016, the Premier League has capped away tickets at £30 for all away supporters, which means no club in the league can charge more than £30 for an adult away ticket in league matches. Even though the match ticket is capped the cost of travelling to the game has risen rapidly in recent years which is the main factor to why fans are being put off going to games. The main way of travel for away fans is by train but that is now looking like the most expensive way with a return from Bournemouth to Newcastle or Manchester can easily exceed £100. Stadium catering has also climbed over the last decade, a pint or a meal can now cost double what it did in 2015. So, whilst the £30 ticket cap looked like a win for the fans, the real cost of following your team away from home continues to rise.

      Following football from your front room is no longer cheap. UK fans now need multiple subscriptions to watch their team play – Sky Sports, Amazon Prime, TNT Sports and occasionally DAZN. All together these services could cost over £100 a month and sometimes the team you support might not even be shown in that match week. Whilst in recent years a new way to watch football on TV has appeared on the scene known as Firesticks, a one-off payment allows you to watch as many games from as many leagues as you want, with younger fans using these to interact with the sport, and with these being classed as an illegal streaming service is it worth running the risk just to support your team?

      So, what’s the next step to ensure attendances stay steady in upcoming years?

      Should clubs make it more affordable for fans to travel to games?

    • From Guernsey to the Premier League: The Rise of Alex Scott

      From Guernsey to the Premier League: The Rise of Alex Scott

      When Alex Scott moved from Championship side Bristol City to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in 2023 it raised eyebrows if it was the right decision in his career and if it was the player The Cherries needed to help their team excel forward. Two years later and its looking like he was worth every penny.

      His AFC Bournemouth career didn’t start in 2023 as most people might think, he was in fact in Bournemouth’s Academy around the age of 14 before being released where he returned to Guernsey to play grassroots football. Alex Scott has always been watched by top sides and made his first big move in 2020 at just 16 years old joining Bristol City and just over a year later made his first professional appearance. Racking up over 80 appearances, Alex Scott was a fan favourite for The Robins, and to top off his career at Bristol City he won the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season award in 2022/23.

      Alex Scott then made his next big move to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in August 2023 for a reported £25 million which was a club record fee at the time. It wasn’t the easiest start to his tenure at the South Coast club where he suffered an early knee injury but has since fought his way into the side. Still just 21 years old the Guernsey-born midfielder is becoming an established player in Andoni Iraola’s side being involved in every game this campaign whilst picking up one goal in a 2-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.

      Its not only at club level Alex Scott is showing his footballing capabilities he is also performing at National level and has done since Under 18s. His latest achievement came in June 2025 winning the U21 Euro Championships where he appeared in 5 games whilst getting a goal and an assist. Unfortunately, his injury record continued and had to be subbed off just before half time in the final against Germany. With his hopes set on the England senior team this season is majorly important for the talented midfielder who hopes to stay around the first team and rack up even more contributions.

    • Kroupi strikes late to rescue a point

      Another dramatic game hit Elland Road on Saturday afternoon which left both teams sharing the points after French youngster Eli Junior Kroupi volleyed home a strike in the 93rd minute for AFC Bournemouth. The draw meant that both teams are in comfortable positions after game week six with Leeds United sitting 11th and The Cherries on 11 points in 6th.

      The south coast side opened the scoring in the 26th minute from a Semenyo low driven free kick just outside the box which adds to his tally of 4 goals for the campaign. It wasn’t long before Leeds United put their height advantage to the test with Welshman Joe Rodon heading in a corner 11 minutes later. The Yorkshire side started the second half strong, and it was only a matter of time before Leeds capitalised and a shot from Sean Longstaff ricocheted off the post and beat Djordje Petrovic. The pressure mounted for Leeds to try and keep the lead and as the minutes counted down the fresh legs were brought on for Iraola’s side which paid out as 19-year-old Kroupi volleyed home Senesi’s flicked on header.  The late goal is a theme for Leeds United this season as they have conceded goals in the last 15 minutes in several matches.

      Leeds carried on with the strong performance after last weekends win against Wolves and continue to preserve their unbeaten home record so far this season. The German manager Daniel Farke expressed frustration and believed his team had created enough chances to win the game. Andoni Iroala was full of praise towards Kroupi’s finishing ability noting the major step up from Ligue 2 to the Premier League.

      The upcoming games are important for both sides with AFC Bournemouth hosting London side Fulham and hope to keep up their unbeaten streak whilst Leeds United host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s early kick-off and hope to maintain their unbeaten record at home this season.

    • Leeds vs AFC Bournemouth

      Leeds vs AFC Bournemouth

      As September comes to a close, AFC Bournemouth travel to Yorkshire to play promoted side Leeds United in the sixth match of this Premier League campaign. The south coast side currently sit 4th in the league and are unbeaten in there last 4 fixtures whilst Leeds United sit in 12th place on seven points picking up wins against Everton and away to Wolves last weekend.

      After only losing four league games last season the Yorkshire side gained promotion by topping the championship table on goal difference. With the promotion it meant more incomings which included James Justin from relegated side Leicester City and Premier League experienced player Dominic Calvert Lewin. The two main players to watch for Leeds include French striker Joel Piroe who was top scorer last season with 19 goals and Willy Gnonto who was voted as Young Player of the Season for Leeds United.

      AFC Bournemouth have had an extremely active summer losing significant players Dean Huijsen to Real Madid, Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Illia Zabarnyi to French side PSG. But have also made exciting signings in Adrian Truffart for £14.4 million, Bafode Diakite from Lille and Premier League experienced goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. The Dorset club are looking to keep up their brilliant form and make it 5 unbeaten and keep themselves within the top 4.

      One thing AFC Bournemouth are hoping to overturn is their winless streak at Elland Road with Leeds United winning all 6 fixtures that the two teams have played. There last meeting came in 2023 in which The Cherries won comfortably 4-1 at the Vitality Stadium and the most exciting fixture came in the reverse fixture at Elland Road in which Leeds was on the winning end of the 4-3 score line.