AFC Bournemouth returned to Dean Court buoyed by the prospect of having fans inside the stadium for the first time in nine months.
The Cherries re-opened the Vitality Stadium to the Dean Court faithful with a test event, offering tickets to success season ticket holders who had entered a ballot. Just over 1,000 supporters inside the ground ahead of potentially doubling that figure to the Coronavirus restrictions for Tier 2 maximum of 2,000.
If over the coming weeks and months the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area are moved into Tier 1 level restrictions, then the attendance could double again to 4,000.
The Cherries have stated that tickets will be available to season ticket holders who enter the ballot and then if seats remain available, the supporters with the highest home points will then be offered tickets.
After the match, AFC Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall told Sky Sports…
“It makes a big difference having fans back. We have certainly missed them and it was great to have some kind of atmosphere back in the stadium. Football is nothing without fans and they mean a lot to me and to the football club. We dedicate the win to them.
“We wanted to get off to a good start and get the fans behind us from the first minute and we certainly did that. I have been really pleased with the way we have played in the last few weeks. We built on those performances and delivered an excellent all-round performance.”
Man of the match against Huddersfield
Solanke
Brooks
Stanislas
Someone else
That oneโs for you โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/w5iym8N1Lj
— AFC Bournemouth ๐ (@afcbournemouth) December 12, 2020
After 287 days it was a privilege welcoming a small number of @afcbournemouth supporters back home into the Vitality Stadium The boys literally put on a 5 star 5 goal inspired performance to honour them home. It was so surreal hearing the crowd chants after so long in isolation
— Jeff Mostyn (@jeffmostyn) December 12, 2020
We hope that today proved even more how valuable your support is to us.
Thank you once again โค๏ธ pic.twitter.com/bhI59eZuk6
— AFC Bournemouth ๐ (@afcbournemouth) December 12, 2020
Perfect afternoon today. Great result but to have the fans back was the best part! Glad the lads put on a show and hopefully even more of you coming Tuesday ๐๐ฝ smiles on and off the pitch ๐๐ pic.twitter.com/6Eqd7hVebr
— Steve Cook (@SteveCook28) December 12, 2020
What a feeling to have fans back today!๐ Thanks for the support! Big win and 2 more goals๐๐พ.
— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) December 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/lloydkelly4/status/1337841932345757699?s=20
https://twitter.com/Jzemura3/status/1337853862087188480?s=20
What a performance from the lads, 5 goals and a clean sheet! On another note it meant a lot having the fans back, youโve been missed! ๐ pic.twitter.com/HpLxGMUul6
— Lewis Cook (@lewiscook_) December 12, 2020
The clubโs ๐๐๐๐ง๐ youngest ever player โญ๏ธ
16 years and 38 days, what an achievement, Ajani ๐ pic.twitter.com/l9atMs4oXl
— AFC Bournemouth Academy (@afcb_academy) December 12, 2020
https://twitter.com/alexdeutsch/status/1337817825055027201?s=20
Written by Red_till_im_ded…
Huge gulf in quality against opposition who considered their game on Tuesday to be more important.
Taking nothing away from our performance though. Fantastic save from Asmir Begovic in the first half at 1-0. Lewis Cook and Jefferson Lerma bosses the midfield.
David Brooks was class, Junior Stanislas’ goal was quality. Dominic Solanke showing signs of what we spent the money on. Sam Surridge makes an impact in every game and knows where the goal is but……just for the pure effort…the pure commitment…the pure heart and desire…and I hope Joshua King was watching…Steve Cookies full length of the pitch run with the ball in about the 85th minute or so…from box to box …was my personal ‘ champagne ‘ moment. True leader !!
SlowDownDerek wrote…
What a great day. Quite emotional being back at the football and thankfully the players did their bit.
I was in the South Stand and reckon I had the best seat in the house for the first three, especially Brooks’ cracker.
You couldn’t ask for more really, strikers scoring, comfortable win and a few youngsters getting their chance to show us what they can do. – Join the conversation, click here.
