Ofcom inquiry into Eddie Mitchell's decision to buy The Bay radio station

AFC Bournemouth announced this week that its chairman had acquired The Bay, which broadcasts on 102.8FM from Poole.

It hailed the announcement as “expanding official Cherries media output over yet another medium” and said the station would be relaunched as Play Radio on February 14.

Work was underway on building two radio studios in the main stand of the club’s Seward Stadium, it said.

Industry sources suggested Ofcom could query the relocation of the station to Bournemouth.

Under its “key commitments” attached to its radio licence, Bay lists its community as “the people of Poole”, up to 5km (3.1 miles) from its transmission site at Old Wareham Road.

A map submitted to Ofcom of its broadcasting area does not extend to the Cherries’ home at Kings Park.

The station is signed up to a list of “social gain” objectives and can only raise 50 per cent of its funding from commercial activities.

An Ofcom spokesman said: “We have only just been made aware and we are looking at it.”

In the Cherries’ statement on the takeover, Mr Mitchell said the acquisition would “help AFC Bournemouth in getting their message out to the local community”.

He added: “The AFC Bournemouth official media output is expanding and improving all the time. The acquisition of an FM station will give our less internet savvy fans the chance to tune in and hear everything first.”

The Bay’s current managing director, Alan Coote – who remains station manager – said: “We were granted the last FM frequency in Bournemouth and Poole so there is zero opportunity for a new station in the area.

“This gives the unique opportunity to take over an already established station, and really put some serious effort and financial backing into making it the finest station in the area.”

AFC Bournemouth said it would be releasing more details about its plans soon.

The club has since removed its statement on the subject from the club’s website.