Bournemouth fans are set for a memorable trip to Fulham after a supporter-organised Thames boat party doubled in size due to demand. Up to 300 Cherries supporters will now sail to Craven Cottage aboard The Pearl of London ahead of Saturday’s huge Premier League clash.
AFC Bournemouth supporters heading to west London for Saturday’s clash with Fulham now have even more reason to get excited, after a fan-organised pre-match boat party has dramatically expanded due to demand.
Originally planned for around 150 travelling Cherries fans, the event has now doubled in size after organisers secured a larger vessel, meaning up to 300 Bournemouth supporters can now sail together down the River Thames ahead of Bournemouth's crucial Premier League fixture.
The event has been jointly organised by AFC Bournemouth fan channel "Back of the Net" and supporters group "The Famous Left Side", with fans set to transform the trip to Craven Cottage into one of the most memorable away-day build-ups of the season.
Supporters will board The Pearl of London at Festival Pier in Waterloo from 11:45am on Saturday 9th May, before departing at midday for a two-hour cruise towards Putney Pier, arriving 45 minutes before kick-off.
With Bournemouth still dreaming of European qualification, the atmosphere among the travelling support is expected to be electric. The cruise promises AFC Bournemouth-themed music throughout the journey, with a Cherries DJ providing the soundtrack as fans make their way through the capital.
A fully stocked pay bar will also be available on board, while the event remains strictly over-18s only.
Tickets are priced at just £20, with a small 50p booking fee added to cover online payment costs. Following the initial allocation selling rapidly, organisers moved quickly to secure a larger boat in order to accommodate growing demand from supporters eager to be part of the occasion.
Jasper Colt-USA TODAYThe away trip to Fulham has already been viewed by many fans as one of the standout fixtures of Bournemouth’s run-in, and the addition of a Thames boat party has only added to the sense of anticipation surrounding the day - enhanced by Boscombe's impressive 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday, a victory that elevated them to sixth in the Premier League table.
For many supporters, it is another sign of how far the club has come under Andoni Iraola, with Bournemouth fans now travelling to matches not merely hoping for survival, but dreaming of European football and embracing every moment along the way.
Should the Cherries secure another positive result at Craven Cottage, the scenes aboard The Pearl of London on the journey there may end up being only the warm-up act for a memorable afternoon in the capital.
More information and tickets can be purchased over on Back of the Net.