On this day the Cherries completed the greatest of escapes, sealed by club legend Steve Fletcher’s iconic winner at home to Grimsby Town. A game, a season and a survival that will be forever etched in club folklore.
It may well be a very different football club today, as Bournemouth fans currently remain hopeful of claiming a potential European spot in Premier League come the end of the current season. But those hardened Cherries supporters will be reminiscing today, reminiscing of a gruelling time but one that felt equally special for totally different reasons.
It was seventeen years ago where a 2-1 home win over Grimsby Town salvaged their Football League status against all odds, it was simply the greatest of escapes.
The Biggest Of Victories
The nervous energy was high but so was the hope surrounding Dean Court before kick off, Bournemouth could secure their safety and keep their place in the Football League despite a seventeen point deduction.
Following the Cherries' vital win at Chester they knew a win at home to Grimsby would confirm their safety, the Chester win meant they could stay up regardless of the result, but every Cherry was desperate not to leave anything to chance and they knew they were more than capable of getting the job done themselves.
Manager Eddie Howe made two changes from the win at Chester, with Bradbury and Feeney coming in for Cooper and Goulding. So it was Jalal between the sticks, a centre back pairing of Jason Pearce and Ryan Garry, Bradbury and Wiggins as full backs.
The midfield consisted of Liam Feeney, Anton Robinson, Danny Hollands and Mark Molesley, with Steve Fletcher and Brett Pitman up top. Bournemouth came out the traps brilliantly, completely controlling the first half but without managing to grab that all important goal.
So inevitably, Grimsby broke and took the lead. A cross was cushioned back across goal for Nathan Jarman to head in with ease, Bournemouth were behind but fortunately Chester were only drawing at Aldershot, no way could they could rely on that though, not sure any Cherries fans' hearts could take it.
Grimsby went down to ten just before the break following a poorly timed tackle (to put it lightly) on Mark Molesley, so Eddie's men were one behind at the break but confident they could come out in the second period and make the extra man count.
A huge sigh of relief and fist pumps of joy surrounded Dean Court only minutes into the second half. Danny Hollands smashed his shot against the crossbar but Liam Feeney was on hand to put in the rebound, the game was back level and the hosts had plenty of time to grab another.
It was non stop pressure from the hosts, they just couldn’t turn their chances into goals but they were by far the dominating force and with ten minutes remaining they finally got that goal that those Bournemouth fans will never forget.
Eddie had chucked on Jeff Goulding in place of Feeney and the home side had three men up top and started going that bit more direct. Grimsby struggled to clear a ball into the box and there was the "big man" Steve Fletcher, Fletch chested the ball down and rocketed a strike past the keeper, prompting pure euphoria amongst the Cherries faithful.
The word "legend" is thrown around all too lightly at present, but Steve Fletcher is most certainly a Cherries Legend and it was fitting that he was the man to grab the goal. Grimsby never truly looked like pulling it back and after another late tackle went in on Molesley, they were reduced to nine men and the game was all but over as a contest.
The final whistle sounded and thousands of Cherries fans raced onto the pitch completely overjoyed.. BOURNEMOUTH HAD DONE IT.
Chester could only manage a draw at Aldershot, so despite losing Grimsby were also all but safe, smiles all round Dean Court that’s for sure.
An incredible performance from a team full of character, hunger and drive. Eddie and Jason lead the team like true leaders sending their lads out for battle and all those group of players and staff will be remembered with great fondness forevermore from all Cherries fans.