Our review of the 2019/20 Bournemouth programme is now available. Read our review of this excellent issue below, and click here to see all of the current season Premier League programmes.
Bournemouth’s ‘Matchday’ programme has been a strong performer in our rankings over the last couple of seasons, taking our Silver Award in 2017/18 and finishing in fifth position last time out. The programme has arguably improved further this season, mixing an impressive range of content (including several excellent historical features) with quality opposition coverage and club information. The issue is a perfect-bound 100-page B5 production, with a familiar look to the issues of recent years.
The best reading in the issue comes with ‘Dean Court Days’, which gathers together various historical articles over eight pages. These include ‘Picking the Cherries’, which picks up from last season in looking at each of the men who have managed Bournemouth down the years. This season opened with a detailed look at Harry Redknapp’s time in charge, spread over the first two issues of the campaign. The feature records in impressive detail Redknapp’s spell at the club, and the ups and downs that Bournemouth experienced in the Football League in the 1980s.
‘The Numbers Game’ marks 20 years since squad numbers were first made compulsory in the Football League, looking at the players who have worn various numbers for Bournemouth, together with stats showing things like who has made the most appearances wearing each number. ‘Next Moves’ examines players who have appeared for both Bournemouth and their matchday opponents, providing detailed profiles of each player with pictures of them in action for both clubs. ‘Champagne Cherries’ looks at key figures for Bournemouth down the years, with the player recalling key moments from their time at the club, in their own words.
‘Matchday’ offers several other impressive features too. For the Manchester City issue, the programme included a four-page article on Mel Machin, who managed both the Cherries and the Citizens to promotion. The article looks at Machin’s career as a player and manager, and featured words of tribute from various people associated with Bournemouth. The main current player feature runs to some ten pages that, as with other articles in the programme, are uninterrupted by adverts. This helps the flow of the article and provides a consistent feel to the issue. The feature includes photos of the player in a location of interest around the town, wearing a retro Bournemouth shirt. The programme also includes another four-page player feature, as well as ‘The Bourne Legacy’, which offers an interview with a former player who looks back on their career and notes what they are doing post-retirement. ‘Shared History’ recalls a moment from a past meeting of Bournemouth and their opponents, in the form of a full-page photograph with related commentary. The issue also includes a junior pull-out section with plenty of content, including a quiz, player Q&A, and a large poster.
The section on the visiting club is top-class and certainly one of the best in the division. The section runs to ten pages and is nicely presented in the visiting club’s colours. The content opens with a full-page photo of an opposition player, which is followed by introductory notes that include form notes, player details, and squad information. A stats page shows an honours board and club records, as well as recent match results. There are four pages of player profiles, offering an impressive insight into the visiting club’s squad and a picture of each player. ‘Unknown’ looks at some lesser known information about the club, with various notes from their history, while ‘Season in Six’ offers a look at the team’s recent fortunes through six images and accompanying notes. ‘Golden Goal’ recalls a famous strike from the club’s past through the eyes of a supporter, with several images from the relevant match included.
The programme is strong on club information and opens with articles from boss Eddie Howe, Chairman Jeff Mostyn, and captain Simon Francis. This is followed by a couple of pages of club news. Action from recent matches is shown over three pages for each game, with various photographs, a match report, full line-up details, and other stats, as well as a timeline of key moments from the game. This is typically well laid-out, with intelligent use of the shirt colours of each of the teams. There are two pages on Bournemouth’s women’s team, including a nice mix of content such as notes on recent matches a player profile, and details of results and fixtures. There are also two pages for the club’s under-21s and youth teams, with the latter including ‘honest match reports’ in the words of one of the players involved. The usual first-team season spread is nicely presented over two pages, while there is also a page of Premier League stats.
This is another very strong issue from Bournemouth, which impresses in all areas. The programme is packed full of interesting, highly readable features, with the historical content being a real stand-out. This is a Bournemouth issue that deservedly retains its place as one of the very best in the league.