Preview: AFC Bournemouth V Southend United

THE BLUES

Some sign of life against Yeovil I believe we'll agree. Little Darryl keeping his place in the league was a touch tough on Mr. Collis but he ended up having little to do. Adam was certainly back to his best yet the defence still looks vulnerable. In midfield Tilly finally did what he had to do and bring back the Bailey-McCormack partnership which immediately gave some pace and verve to the side going forward. Captain Kev has been a tremendous servant to this football club and I hope he stays for a couple of years yet, but it has to be as a loyal squad player, something I doubt he will be prepared to do. The offer for Cook from Hull shows the long term planning that T&B have for the first team. Gower should look livelier now he's had a game and a couple of weeks training under his belt.

The Prince had his best match for the club and was unlucky to be sent off so, along with his broken nose, he can't continue that form into this weekend while MacDonald's injury woes seem set to continue. Stand up Mr. Walker for his debut, 200K is a gamble but if he finds the goal with some regularity it will seem peanuts come May. As ever there have been comments about the club not spending a million on a 30-goal guaranteed superstar, whoever that is, and if he exists Forest would get him anyway, that all I can repeat is a comment I saw on a message board the other day that the club should be grateful the internet did not exist when we signed Bill Garner, Chris Guthrie et al. I mean Garner, 2 goals at Notts. County! Waste of money I'm sure we would heard! The internet is a wonderful invention, gives me something to do in my lunch hour, but honestly it's allowed a lot of people to share with us there need to see an instant fix. A fix that led us to two successive relegations and a succession of crap managers. Tilly has made mistakes, as would any young manager, blimey Alex bloody Ferguson has signed the odd donkey, but I'm willing to give Tilly, and Brush, the time we need to get back on track. It's not that much as well, long term I still see a bright future for the club, so don't be fooled by the mischief making of supporters of other teams who post on our boards when we are down a bit, because they know that if we actually did get it right, with the size of our potential support and the growing regard that our youth team is being held, then Southend United could still go very far indeed.

THE OPPOSITION

Bottom of the League, 20 points from 27 games, 2 wins out of the last 10, (though one was against the Borient), keeper out for three months, in big financial trouble, (the directors of the club have announced that an administrator is to be appointed though stressing the club is not actually in administration), blimey, bloggers are even looking at us as big spenders; 'next opponents (Southend) can spend £200k on a striker. Could be worse as another striker has turned them down. His fee £250k! That's what were up against', and we moan!

Manager Kevin Bond is certainly up against it but there is some talent at Dean Court, including a number of players on loan though a few, including half of Reading reserves it seems, have had to return, and in our current form nothing is a formality. Former player Lee Bradbury is one loanee who has actually signed for the rest of the season and should line up against us though some early goals for the club seem to have dried up. Making his return for the Cherries against the Blues on loan will be Leicester's Ivory Coast-born winger Max Gradel, the 20-year old scoring five goals in 19 appearances in the first part of the campaign. Midfielder Jo Tessem can also play after receiving international clearance for his move from Norway in time for the Cheltenham defeat last Saturday.

Skipper Neil Young admitted Cherries could have "no excuses" about conceding another last-gasp winner - but also said they should take "lots of positives" from their latest defeat. Young avoided being credited with an own goal as Cherries slipped to an agonising 1-0 reverse at the hands of relegation rivals Cheltenham on Saturday. The Cherries defender said he had got the final touch after his aerial challenge with Dave Bird had led to the Robins grabbing a dramatic injury-time winner. And while the identity of the goalscorer was immaterial to Cherries fans, this undeserved defeat saw them slump to the foot of League One and remain six points from safety. Young inadvertently turned Alex Russell's corner past Gareth Stewart as Cherries conceded a stoppage-time winner at Whaddon Road for the second season in succession.

The Cherries captain told the Southern Daily Echo: "Everybody was very disappointed, especially after what happened here last season. I thought we were by far the better team in the first half and, with a bit of composure in front of goal, could have been a couple up by half-time. For the goal, we both stooped to head the ball and he nudged me but I think it came off me. It was galling but perhaps if we'd had someone in the space or hadn't given the corner away, it might not have happened. But there are no excuses.

However he added; "There were also a lot of positives to come out of the game and nobody could say that we are a bottom-of-the-league side on the evidence of that performance. We passed the ball really well and Jo Tessem came in to give us a bit more composure on the ball. We can take a lot out of it and the lads did really well, which is why it was so disappointing to come off the park with nothing. Hopefully, most of our fans who were here were probably quite happy and confident with what they saw. We created a lot of chances and I'm sure we can get the results to push us up the table."

Boss Kevin Bond was left to rue a succession of missed opportunities as this latest defeat saw Cherries remain in deep relegation trouble. Bond said: "It was heartbreaking. We were by far and away the better team but we couldn't defend a set-piece when it mattered and we got beaten on the strength of it. It was hard to take because it happened for them in the last minute but nothing dropped for us. We didn't get a break and although we created lots of situations, we should have done better. I thought we played well. We had the majority of the ball and were pressing them for the majority of the second half. They threatened once or twice on the counter attack and we didn't make enough of our chances. While we continue to defend set-pieces like we do, we will continue to give away goals and it will continue to cost us points."

The team that finished that game; Stewart, Young, Gowling, Perrett, Cummings, Tessem, Bradbury, Cooper, Hollands, Kuffour, Pitman (Vokes 81).

THE MATCHES

105 matches played: WON 37 DRAWN 30 LOST 38.

Well you can't get much closer that with a chance for the Blues to bring things level at the weekend.

A goal by Slater earned Southend a 1-1 draw when we first played the Cherries on November 3 1923. After that we won a few, drew a few, lost a few. A 4-4 draw on December 29 1928 must have been quite a game, Shankly(2), Clenshaw and Oxley the scorers for us.

We had a horrible 1-7 defeat on the day that saw in 1938, Martin getting our consolation. However, I do remember a 6-1 away win in the League Cup first round, a result coming through on my tiny radio hidden under the pillow as I was meant to be asleep. Even though I had been to a few Blues games this one convinced me they were a team worth following and off I went to then First Division Wolves in the next round for only my second away game where we lost 0-1 to a last minute goal. What may have happened with me and the Blues if we had lost that tie at Bournemouth? (I'd have a lot more dosh in the bank for sure!) Anyhow, Clayton(2), McKinven, Chisnall, Kurija and Best got the goals that August 13 1968 evening. (At the end of that Wolves game most of the 18,000 plus crowd sung 'Southend United' in unison after we had played so well, Andy Smillie had a second half shot kicked off the line I recall. Yet now as the pressure to win grows and the top four in the Premiership leave clubs further behind it's doubtful we will see that too often.

The ugly verbal scenes at the end of the Spurs F.A. Cup game last year spring to mind, even our own supporters to Dagenham two weeks ago, "2-1 and you fuxxed it up", at 2-2, to a club that could be relegated out the league after only one season, give me a break!)

The seventies were a funny time. After losing the first four games in that decade while scoring only one, Best who else?, while letting in ten, we than went on a run that saw only two defeats in fourteen matches. The highlight being a 5-1 on Friday Jan. 27 1978 at Roots Hall when Morris(2), Fell, Abbott and Laverick scored. The cup tie played at Dean Court on Dec. 11 1971 will be remembered for the chants of the packed away end aimed at Ted MacDougall who along with partner Phil Boyer were recreating the fourth division scoring charts match by match, MacDougall scoring nine goals in the 11-0 beating of Weymouth in the previous round. "Super Mac, Super Mac, he is a load of fuxxing crap", was heard in Southampton. Sadly, they still had the last laugh, winning 2-0!

The eighties saw 7 tie-ups with another away cup tie on Nov. 20 1982. This was much better, a 2-0 win, Cusack and Phillips got the goals. While the nineties brought an exciting 5-3 at the Hall on March 21 1998, Boere(2), Thompson(2) and Clarke the scorers. However away saw six successive defeats until Freddie popped up on April Fools Day 2006 for a 1-1 draw. The previous home game on New Years Eve 2005 had produced a 2-1 win, a Gray penalty and Gutteridge for the Blues.

The bad run at Dean Court, which had not produced a league win since Hadley and Spence scored in a 2-1 scoreline on April 19 1981, was at least ended in the Coke Cup on August 22 2006 when Gower and 2 Freddie goals, one a penalty, led to a 3-1 result. So after nearly 27 years lets get three points on Saturday lads.

THE GROUND

First of all remember tickets will be sold on the day for cash only at the turnstiles, £18 adults, unless you have pre-booked with the club. Anyone who visited the old Dean Court will not recognise the completely re-developed ground. In a matter of months the old ground was completely demolished and a new stadium built. This currently comprises three new permanent stands and a temporary stand at the South End of the ground. The three permanent stands are of roughly the same design and height and are quite smart looking, with the Main Stand having a row of executive boxes to its rear.

Each is a covered single tiered stand, with good views of the playing action, with perspex wind shields at each side. The stand roofs have perspex panels, helping get more light to the pitch. They sit at each side of the pitch and at one end. During the 2005/06 season the Club installed a 1,100 capacity seated stand at what was previously the open South End of the stadium, giving the ground a better overall look. The corners of the ground are also open and these are home to some unusual looking floodlights. The pitch has been rotated 90 degrees from its old position and if you ever visited the old ground, try figuring out where the old Brighton Beach End was located! The Club still intend at some point to build a permanent fourth stand at the South end of the stadium. If completed the overall capacity would rise to around 12,000, but no firm timescales have been announced as to when this is likely to take place.

Away fans are located on one side of the East Stand, at one side of the pitch. The normal allocation for this area is 1,500, but this can be increased to 2,000 if required. The stand is shared with home supporters, offers a good view of the playing action and generates a good atmosphere. The facilities are okay and beer is served on the concourse as well.

THE CAR

Follow the A338 towards Bournemouth. The ground is situated on the left of the A338 in the outskirts of Bournemouth. If you keep looking up to the left as you go into Bournemouth you will eventually see the tops of the ground floodlights. At this point take the next exit off the A338 and turn left towards the ground. There is a large car park located at the ground. Alternatively, there is a council run car park, on the opposite side of the dual carriageway, which is handy for getting away quickly after the game.

THE TRAIN

The nearest train station is Pokesdown which is roughly a mile from the ground and is around a 15 minute walk away. However, most trains arrive at Bournemouth Central, which is around a half an hour walk to the ground. Either try to get a train to Pokesdown or grab a cab (£7-£8). If you do arrive at Pokesdown Station (which is served by trains from London Waterloo), then exit the station (there is only one exit) and turn right down the main Christchurch Road (A35). Proceed for about 400 metres and then turn right into Gloucester Road. Dean Court is located down the bottom of this road.

If you arrive at Bournemouth Central, then leave the station by the South exit, thereby facing an Asda Supermarket. Turn left and walk down to the main Holdenhurst Road. Turn left (going away from the town centre) and then keep straight on along Holdenhurst Road for around 25 minutes, reaching the Queens Park pub (recommended in the Pub section). Continue straight on past the pub until you reach a roundabout at which you turn right into Kings Park Drive. The ground is down the bottom of this road on the left.

Alternatively you can catch a Yellow Number 33 bus to the ground, normally a half hourly service. Come out of Station again by the South exit, facing Asda and turn left until you get to a Texaco Garage. There is a bus stop with shelter on the same side of the road. Ask the driver to be let off near Kings Park Drive. Please note that if you decide to use the same service coming back, take a yellow number 2 bus as this is a circular service. Latest bus timetables can be accessed by visiting www.yellowbuses.co.uk.

Visit www.megabus.co.uk and there may be some cheap train fares on South West trains, I grabbed a train back to London for £3.

From Victoria there are some funfares available by coach on www.nationalexpress.co.uk but I'm confident the £1 fares have gone, may get £8 for a two and a half hour journey.

THE PUB

No breweries in Bournemouth, but Ringwood is just up the road and has, as it moves into its second quarter-century, an expanding reputation as well as an expanding output. Definitely a regional brewer rather than a micro-brewer these days at over 30,000 barrels a year. Best, Fortyniner and Old Thumper are the staples, with additional seasonal beers added to the range at the appropriate times. Hall & Woodhouse of Blandford St Mary are unlikely to need any introduction to real ale junkies. Brewing since 1777, 'Badger' beers including the famed Tanglefoot are something of an institution. In 2000 they bought up the Horsham brewery of King & Barnes and have maintained beers under that badge, though aficionados feel the individuality of the Sussex ales has been lost in the process.

So where to drink them; The Queens Park Hotel is closest to the stadium, up the dual carriageway, and welcomes away fans, and home ones, though as ever it will be packed. Not the prettiest pub from the outside but has all the beers and Sky Sports. 482, Holdenhurst Road, then when you've had your fill keep going up the road and you will see the floodlights.

There is a bar behind the Main Stand, called the Cherry Tree, which welcomes away supporters to its downstairs bar.

THE HISTORY

The origins of football in the area dates back to a Bournemouth F.C. in 1875, and Boscombe St Johns formed in 1890. But direct lineage is normally attributed to a club called Boscombe F.C. that emerged in 1899. In 1910 they arrived at Dean Court, turning semi-pro shortly after. The early history was spent in local leagues, but by 1920 Boscombe felt strong enough to apply to the Southern League. In their third campaign, the season they were joined by Yeovil & Petters United, Boscombe were runners-up and got themselves elected to Division Three South at their first attempt. At the same time they changed their name to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. It did allow The Glovers to rack up their first F.A. Cup victory over a League team, defeating The Cherries 3-2 on November 11th 1924.

Although their first season in the Football League required re-election to survive through to a second they then remained in Division Three South and Division Three for a record number of consecutive seasons, right through to 1969-70. After decades of going nowhere, either up or down, the beginning of the Seventies saw a flurry of excitement, relegated in 1970 but promoted again in 1971. In an unconnected event Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic renamed themselves AFC Bournemouth.

Bournemouth were relegated again in 1975 and were still in the basement when Alan Stock took on his last managerial role from 1979-80. His protégé, the messaih Dave Webb took over, well OK, not in Yeovil, or Brentford, and he got The Cherries promoted. After a short interlude from Don Megson, Harry Rednapp took the reins for nine years during which he got them into Division Two in 1987 for the first time in their history - and out again 1990. They remained in Division Three (renamed Division Two) through to 2003 when they were relegated to the bottom division. A single season was enough to bonce back through the play-offs, defeating Lincoln City 5-2 in the Final at the Millennium Stadium.

The last decade or so has seen Bournemouth more in the news for off than on field matters. The club was already struggling financially in the early Nineties, but limped on. However in the 1996-97 season the buffers were hit, the receivers called in, and at one point the club was within a quarter of an hour of folding. A Football Trust Committee rallied supporters and kept The Cherries afloat, eventually taking over the whole club when no one else could be found, forming the first ever Community Club. At the end of the 2000-01 season Bournemouth vacated Dean Court whilst a new ground was built on the same site, returning from Dorchester to Fitness First Stadium in November. It has to said that whilst fans are justifiably proud of their part in saving the club and their ownership of it, all in the financial garden is still not rosy. The stadium remained unfinished and there were debts reputed to be around £5 million. In the summer of 2005 the club defaulted on repaying £250,000 due to the council. A fans' trust running a club sounds idyllic to the average football supporter, but in the real world it doesn't necessarily see the bills paid.

The Cherries were pushed into selling their ground to keep from going into liquidation, and leasing it back. It has kept them afloat in the short term, but the drain on their cash flow of meeting the rent means things are ominous for the future. They are currently struggling over whether a new consortium should come in, and two chairmen have fallen by the way side in quick succession in the process. Manager Kevin Bond has had to sell several players to help keep the club afloat but as we've already read it all may be too late.

(Thanks to the usual suspects for all their help in this article).