Bournemouth's "Back of the Net" Named Third Best Fan Channel

AFC Bournemouth Supporters' Channel and Podcast "Back of the Net" has been placed third by the Daily Mail in a recent article which ranks each fan channel for every Premier League club.

The newspaper placed each channel based on a number of factors including production values, range of content, quality of content, and relative size.

Originally launched as an audio podcast in 2016 before expanding onto YouTube three years later, Back of the Net has evolved into a platform for Cherries supporters wanting more than just surface-level reaction. The channel combines match analysis, fan opinion, interviews and feature content with the aim of shaking off the tired “little old Bournemouth” label often attached to the club.

The article said: "With Bournemouth being such a cleverly run club, perhaps it's no surprise that their primary fan channel is equally slick. Presenters Sam Davis and Tom Jordan have done a stellar job alongside the 'brains' of the operation, the mysteriously named Mr Tigz".

Across YouTube, TikTok and X, Back of the Net's audience has continued to grow relatively rapidly, with millions of video views and a loyal fanbase engaging across multiple platforms.

Their website suggests that the aim is to provide professionalism and authenticity, whilst travelling home and away following Andoni Iraola’s side. They capture raw post-match emotion from supporters both inside and outside stadiums, while also delivering detailed tactical analysis through high-quality editing and graphics.

"The quality of presenting wouldn't look out of place on Sky Sports", says the Daily Mail article. "Their videos have a cinematographic feel and are tightly edited. When they film their matchday vlogs, you feel like you're with them. The level of analysis, incorporating detailed on-screen graphics, is superior to most of their rivals. They even add the occasional interview and away stadium review and have a tidy news website."

With most of the contributors having supported the Cherries since the early 1990's, the growth of the channel reflects Bournemouth’s own modern story on a smaller scale. 

Ben Phillips, responsible for TikTok output of the channel is also a key part of the channel, driving a new form of short-form content out to a different demographic. He expressed his joy at seeing the channel grow from strength to strength: "I think one of the key aspects of Back of the Net which seems to resonate with supporters is the fact that all it's team regularly go to games and can actively reflect the sentiment of the fanbase".

Referring to recent hospitality expansion, Ben also conveyed it's importance in tackling fan issues in a mature way: "Whilst it holds an amicable arms-length relationship with the club, it also knows when the club needs to be critiqued for any off-the-pitch decisions which might affect fans - but it is delivered in a way that also shows understanding from both perspectives".

After recording the latest "Second Look" after Bournemouth's stunning 1-0 win against Fulham at the weekend, Tom Jordan imparted his pride at being so well regarded: "It's amazing to be positioned so highly in these rankings, which weirdly seems to go alongside Cherries excellent run this season! It's nice to know that despite the relative ceiling that the size of AFC Bournemouth dictates we can be, we can still be looked upon at being one of the best in our genre".

The third placed position in the Daily Mail article saw it trail Arsenal's AFTV, and Liverpool's "Anfield Wrap", whilst beating Mark Goldbridge's United Stand, which came fourth.