Club History - The Rapid Rise

Bournemouth Athletic Football Club Website

The Early Years (89-90/90-91/91-92/92-93)

The Success Years (93-94/94-95/95-96/96-97)

Recent Times (97-98/98-99)

The Club Now (99-00)

Club Contact Info & Stat s

The Early Years

• Bournemouth Athletic F.C. was formed in 1989 under the name of Stormguard CTK F.C. The club originally came together as a church team - Christ The King F.C. - prior to their league entry playing only friendlies in the grounds of C.T.K. school in Durdells Ave, Kinson.

• Athletic entered Division 12 of the Bournemouth Hayward Sunday League and struggled for most of their first season finishing in the bottom half of the table. However, in their second season following the acquisition of several new players, the club was promoted into Division 11 after finishing in 3rd place.

• Success was to be short-lived and the club again struggled to find it s way in new territory. After losing several of their best players, Athletic found themselves in a precarious position. Following the abandonment of a bad-tempered match with Winton PDO (their opponents having had three men sent off), they were forced to endure a tense replay. In their last match of the season and needing a win to have any chance, they found themselves 1-0 down with just ten minutes to go. However, a never-say-die attitude and two rare goals from their normal right back at that time, Des Topliss, gave them a memorable 2-1 win. Hence, they retained their Division 11 status.

The Success Years

• 1993-94 season saw the club moving up a gear with new players added. Only one season after their "Great Escape", they finished again in third place and were promoted - this time to Division 9.

• The start of the most successful period in the club s history (so far), they finished again in third place to gain a second successive two division promotion into Division 7. Surprisingly, they did this by finishing in - yes, you ve guessed it - third place.

• Their meteoric rise up the BHFL continued when the club, after finishing this time in fourth place, opted to go up just one step. However, this season also saw them lift their first piece of B.F.A. silverware - the Lawrence A. Brivati Cup by beating Visa Eagles 4-0 in the most one-sided final to date.

• The following season, only their second in Division 6, saw the club lift the championship in style. They went into their last game against nearest rivals, Canford Heath Adastral, needing a win to confirm their position at the top ("Adastral" still with three games to play). After going 1-0 down midway thro the second half, they scored late goals through Damon Lucas and Eugene Day to win the title.

Recent Times

• After their Division 6 championship win in 1997, Bournemouth Athletic spent two years in Division 4 and another in Division 3 (formerly Division 4). All three seasons saw Athletic hold their own - finishing mid-table. These seasons have also seen many changes in club personnel - though there remains solid and stable core to the team.

• After their Division 6 championship win in 1997, Bournemouth Athletic spent two years in Division 4 and another in Division 3 (formerly Division 4). All three seasons saw Athletic hold their own - finishing mid-table. These seasons have also seen many changes in club personnel - though there remains solid and stable core to the team.

• Throughout their most successful years, the club played their home matches at Portchester School and built a formidable record there with some tremendous cup wins against opposition from higher Divisions. However, continued problems with the state of the pitch and other facilities led to the club "re-locating" in 1999 to Heathlands Playing Fields at Three Legged Cross, nr West Moors.

The Club Now

• The club is now in it s second season in Division 2 last season finishing a creditable 5th. A tough run-in to last season saw Athletic play 13 matches in 6 weeks with only a tight pool of players to sustain their challenge for a best ever finish in the League. The club gained the award of "BFA Team Of The Week" after beating league leaders Creekmoor Lions; their first home loss in 44 matches.

• So far this season, Athletic have played 4 friendlies and 4 competitive league and cup matches. Form in the friendlies has been superb with 29 goals scored and only 5 conceded. The wins included a 3-2 result against Division 1 Bluebird F.C.

• The first league match of the season was disappointing with Athletic going down to a 4-2 away defeat against Berrans Park Avenue away at Milford. The result appeared to be a combination of "hangover" from the previous nights England result against Germany and some complacency from the previous pre-season matches.

• Athletic s first cup match of the 2001/2002 season a Robbins Cup Round 2 game against Aztec saw them win 8-0 with goals from Andy Lewer 3, Chris Rawlings 2, Richard Broomfield, Chris Francis and Keith Selwood against the 10 men of Aztec. A welcome return to form, this match allowed the lads to exorcise the ill effects of the previous opener.

• The following match, a Jukes Cup Round 2 fixture against Royal Mail saw a good Athletic performance with the home side putting the Postmen under tremendous pressure for virtually the whole normal 90 minutes. Richard Broomfield, Gary Jenkins, Jason Wheeler and Keith Selwood all missed good chances for Athletic with Andy Lewer only denied a fantastic strike by the upright before their opponents won by a Golden Goal scored during the first period of extra time. "The best team doesn t always win!"

• A second away league fixture against Cranleigh saw Athletic involved in an extremely competitive but fair battle at Iford Playing Fields. The first half was a tight affair with both teams finding it hard to break down staunch defences. However, after the break, Athletic three times found themselves a goal down on each occasion battling back with 2 goals from Andy Lewer and a last gasp equaliser from the battling Gary Jenkins. Lewer s first was an absolute gem a blistering, dipping shot from 25 yards after a magnificent turn and solo run. This was a fair result considering Athletic had to re-organise defensively after losing keeper, Richie Whipps, midway through the second half; Keith Selwood deputising.

Club Contact Info & Stat s

• Manager:

• Secretary:

Telephone: 01202-579439 (home

• Assistant Manager:

• Chairman:

• Treasurer:

• Captain:

• Social Secretary:

• First Aid Person:

• Website:

• Home Ground:

• Training Venue:

• Club Colours (home):

• Club Colours (away):