A FOOTBALL team that will go head-to-head with its AFC Bournemouth neighbours next season needs the public’s help to upgrade its ground.
Bournemouth Sports FC’s women’s first team has seen huge success since it was established in 2013, achieving five promotions and reaching tier four of the women’s football pyramid, the National League.
Here, the club will face its local rivals in promotion-favourites AFC Bournemouth.
Having started in the ninth tier 11 years ago, the club must improve its facilities to meet league standards as women’s football continues to professionalise.
Manager Ricky Barton said the club had ‘humble beginnings’ with just three people turning up to its first training session, but that the club had gone from strength to strength.
“We wanted a strong county team and a strong regional team and that was kind of the dream,” Ricky said.
“We kind of thought that would be about as far as we could take it.
“We've ended up with a decent national League team and a strong regional team as a reserve.”
The team reached the third round of the FA Cup in the 2022/23 season, which allowed them to invest in training.
The tier the club has now reached is becoming more semi-professional, so the FA have increased the requirements for clubs in the league.
This means the club must add covered seating for up to 100 fans, new dugouts and new markings on Bournemouth University’s 4G pitch at Chapel Gate.
They also must invest in fencing for a walkway between the changing rooms and the pitch and a turnstile for matchday fans.
The upgrades will not come cheap for a club whose players pay for themselves, so the club has set up a GoFundMe page to raise £6,000.
Ricky is looking forward to facing local rivals Cherries next season with some of Bournemouth Sports’ players previously playing for their neighbours.
“[AFC] Bournemouth have been stuck in the National League for probably three years now after a restructure,” he said.
“Oddly enough they never actually had to win the league we just won.
“They got put up in a restructure by the FA following Covid. We are the only Bournemouth club that have ever won a tier five division.
“So that's one of our little claims to fames.”
Bournemouth Sports’ aim for the season is to survive, but it is hoped the improvements to the ground will lay the groundwork for the club to improve in future years.
To find the fundraiser and to donate, visit https://gofund.me/27d3e70b.
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