Advertising Feature

IF you're a lifelong AFC Bournemouth fan the Daily Echo has a competition you won't want to miss from Monday.

The Echo is about to publish a new 160-page book about Cherries' history.

Entitled ‘AFC Bournemouth – The Cherries 1890 to the Premier League’, the book is a celebration of the club from the start.

And, from Monday's paper, there will be a chance each day until Friday to win a book signed by manager Eddie Howe.

One lucky reader, selected at random, will win a copy each day by answering a simple question.

The book depicts all of the key moments in Cherries' history - from giant-killing cup runs to great escapes and memorable promotions, including the club's history elevation to the top flight.

Sponsored by Rockett Plumbing and Heating Supplies, it will also rekindle memories of some of the club’s best-loved players, including Ted MacDougall, Harry Redknapp and loan star Jermain Defoe.

More than 500 photos are contained within, showing the club from the start of its life as Boscombe St John’s Lads Institute FC before it then became Boscombe FC in 1899, Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic FC in 1923 and then AFC Bournemouth.

The development of the Dean Court ground is also depicted in photos from across the decades.

The book's highlights include the club’s historic cup run of 1956/7, which culminated in a match against Manchester United’s ‘Busby Babes,’ the goal-scoring exploits of ‘Supermac’ assisted by Phil Boyer in the 1970s and the giant-killing of Manchester United in 1984, acknowledged as one of the greatest FA Cup shocks of all time.

There are also memories of the club’s only Wembley appearance after they reached the final of the Auto Windshield Trophy in 1998 and pictures recalling some of the more unusual moments – George Best’s handful of appearances, Jermain Defoe scoring 10 in a row and James Hayter’s 140-second hat-trick.

The book will soon be available to buy at £14.95 from the Daily Echo offices in Bournemouth and Swanage and a number of local book stores.

To pre-order a copy telephone 01202 292250 or email newspapersales@bournemouthecho.co.uk