To welcome in the New Year, we count down the 15 biggest stories of 2015 in what was a big year for football. Let’s start with 15-11.
15 – Cherry ripe in the top-flight
The story of AFC Bournemouth is one that never ceases to amaze, no matter how many times it is told. In 2008, the club was playing in League Two with its very existence under serious threat. Bournemouth was in financial strife and on the brink of non-existence.
Enter Jeff Mostyn, his consortium and Eddie Howe.
What has happened since Mostyn’s consortium assumed control of the South Coast club way back in 2009 makes for a fairy tale that makes our beautiful game what it is.
The Cherries were firmly atop the Championship on the final day, securing the unlikeliest of promotions at the 12,000 capacity Vitality Stadium.
The going had been tough for them in the early weeks as many expected, in the relegation zone for much of the first part of the campaign.
But things turned on 29 November. 2-0 down in the 79th minute and then 3-2 down in the 95th minute, Bournemouth somehow found a way to secure a point against Everton.
What transpired the next week will go down as one of the biggest upsets in Premier League history. Howe’s team secured a shock 1-0 victory over reigning (yet struggling) champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge thanks to a late Glenn Murray header.
The following game? A 2-1 win against Manchester United. Through sheer persistence, Bournemouth are showing they deserve their place in the big time.
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