Fixture: AFC Bournemouth v Notts County
Competition: npower League 1
Location: Dean Court, Bournemouth
Date: Saturday, August 28 (3pm kick-off)
Ticket Information:
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More About… Bournemouth…
Bournemouth were founded in 1899 as Boscombe but later extended their name to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic Football Club in 1923 in order to represent the district.
The club adopted the more streamlined AFC Bournemouth in 1972 but it only acts as a trade name, and they are still officially registered as Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Football Club.
They traditionally played in red and white stripes but switched to red and black in 1971, though the occasional switch to plain red has been known.
Their most recent success came last season, when they earned automatic promotion to League 1.
Memorable Meeting:
Although the sides met three times last year, the one that will stand out for County fans will have to 2-1 FA Cup win.
Brett Pitman put the Cherries in front during the first half, with the rain getting heavier and heavier.
The conditions didn't prevent Notts getting back into the game in the second period, though.
Lee Hughes fired the equaliser on 49 minutes and Craig Westcarr, who had moved up front after the break, netted the winner nine minutes later.
Played For Both:
Magpies midfielder John Spicer played for Bournemouth back in 2004.
He spent a year with the Cherries, first on loan from Arsenal and then on a permanent deal.
Overall he turned out 43 times, scoring six times, before joining Burnley for £35,000.
Other notable players that have performed for both sides are Nick Fenton and Brett Angel.
One To Watch:
6ft 3ins striker Michael Symes has big boots to fill, following the departure of the Cherries' prized possession, Brett Pitman.
Pitman secured a move to Bristol City earlier this month, rejecting an offer from Premiership Blackpool.
He had netted on 26 occasions last term and three times in two games so far this year.
Now Symes, who joined from Accrington in the summer, is shouldering the responsibility of finding the net on a regular basis.
He scored 19 times last term, including one at Meadow Lane.
In The Dugout:
Eddie Howe took control of the Cherries' first team in 2008 after the departure of Jimmy Quinn.
The former England Under-21 was a fans' favourite as a player at Dean Court, after coming through the club's Centre of Excellence.
He did move to Portsmouth at one point but returned on loan, and his popularity was highlighted by the fact that supporters raised £16,000 in one day to secure his permanent signature.
He retired in 2006 and was handed a role of Reserve Team Manager and First Team Coach.
A stint as COE Development Officer preceded his appointment as Manager, where he steered them away from the League 2 relegation zone in his first season, before guiding them to promotion last year.
Form Guide:
Bournemouth have made the step up to League 1 in fine style, winning two out of their first three league fixtures.
They kicked off the season with a loss but bounced back with comprehensive victories over Peterborough (5-1) and Tranmere (3-0).
Prior to these back-to-back successes, the Cherries were dumped out of the Carling Cup by Southampton.
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