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This article is about the women's football club based in England. For the men's team, see AFC Bournemouth. For other teams called Bournemouth, see Bournemouth (disambiguation) § Football.

AFC Bournemouth
Full nameAFC Bournemouth Women[a]
Nickname(s)The Cherries
Founded1992; 33 years ago (1992) as Bournemouth
GroundThe Ringwood Community Hub
Capacity1,000
The Ringwood Community Hub
ChairmanBill Foley
ManagerSteve Cuss
LeagueFA Women's National League South
2024–25FA Women's National League Division One South West, 1st of 12
Websitehttps://www.afcb.co.uk/matches/women/

AFC Bournemouth Women (/ˈbɔːrnməθ/ ⓘ BORN-məth), commonly referred to as just Bournemouth, is an English professional women's football club based in Dorset, England. The club plays in the FA Women's National League South, the third tier of English women's football, after winning promotion from Division One South West, in the previous (2024-25) season.

In 2022, Bill Foley bought out AFC Bournemouth's women's team which was previously under the Community Sports Trust.[3][4][5]

History

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Early history

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Bournemouth won the 2003–04 Southern Region Division One.[6] The club achieved a league and cup double for the 2005–06 season, winning the Southern Region Premier Division, and beating Slough Town 3–1 in the final of the Southern Region League Cup.[7] The club reached the final of the 2007–08 South West Combination League Cup, but were beaten 4–1 by Plymouth Argyle.[8] Bournemouth were forced to withdraw from the league due to financial problems, and lack of managerial staff. The club ultimately folded in March 2009.[9]

National League

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Bournemouth had reformed by 2012, playing in the Hampshire County Football League. The club achieved successive promotions, winning the 2014–15 Hampshire County Division Three,[10] and the 2015–16 Hampshire County Division Two.[11] Manager Steve Davies left the club in 2019,[12] with Bournemouth appointing Steve Cuss as manager ahead of the 2019–20 season.[13] The club successfully applied for promotion to the FA Women's National League Division One South West for the 2021–22 season.[14] Bournemouth made their competitive debut at Dean Court on 10 April 2022, in a 4–1 win against Chesham United.[15]

The 2023-24 season saw the players move to a semi-professional status.[16] The season itself came to a dramatic end, as the last match of the season between Bournemouth and Exeter City Women FC would decide which of the two teams would be promoted.[17] Exeter City chose to play the match in the familiar surroundings of the Exwick Sports Hub, their regular home venue and not at the main St James Park stadium, despite high interest in the match causing tickets to sell out.[18] Bournemouth could only manage a 1-1 draw, which saw Exeter City promoted as champions.[19] Despite not winning promotion, Bournemouth remained unbeaten in the league having last lost a league match against Cardiff City on 5th March 2023, in the previous season.[20]

The 2024-25 season was the team’s most successful on record. The team lost the Determining Round match in the WNL to Moneyfields.[21] However, their 18th successive league game and 18th league win in a row saw them confirmed as champions and promoted to The Southern Premier Division in a match at Dean Court in front of over 7,000 fans.[22][23] Drawing only one subsequent league match made it the second successive season unbeaten in the league.[24][25] A strong defensive performance also saw them not concede a goal for over 1,000 minutes and assisted goalkeeper Erin Foley in winning the Golden Glove Award.[26] In attack, striker Jenna Markham won the Golden Boot award.[27] The team also won the National League Plate Trophy[28] and narrowly missed out on a third trophy, finishing runners up in The Hampshire Senior Cup just 3 days later.[29]

Stadium

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Bournemouth normally play their home games at The Ringwood Community Hub, Ringwood. This is a shared facility with Ringwood Town F.C.

Address : Ringwood Community Hub 155 Long Lane Kingston, Upper Kingston, Ringwood BH24 3BX.[30]

The Ringwood Community Hub has undergone a major upgrade to the facilities following an investment of £3.4 million by the New Forest District Council, Ringwood Town Council, Ringwood and District Round Table, AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust and the Football Foundation.[31][32]

New floodlights have been installed on the main grass pitch. An artificial turf 3G pitch opened in February 2023 and is used for training, or if the main pitch is unavailable.[33]

Work started on the new pavilion clubhouse in June 2023.[34] The first game AFC Bournemouth Women played using the new pavilion was on Sunday 13 October 2024 against Bishops Lydeard Ladies AFC in the 3rd round qualifying match of the FA Cup. Although the formal opening of the pavilion, by the leader of the New Forest District Council, took place the following month.[35]

The old Ringwood Town FC clubhouse has subsequently been demolished.

Since 2022, the club also play select matches at Dean Court:

Date Opposition Result Attendance
10 Apr 2022 Chesham United W 4-1 1,592[36]
16 Apr 2023 Maidenhead D 0-0 3,067[37]
5 Nov 2023 Portishead Town W 4-0 6,805[38]
10 Dec 2023 Charlton Athletic (FA Cup) L 0-6 1,450[39]
24 Mar 2024 Keynsham Town D 1-1 6,162[40]
10 Nov 2024 Swindon Town W 4-0 6,054[41]
23 Mar 2025 Bristol Rovers W 2-0 7,076[42]

Current squad

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As of 16 July 2025[43]

Most recent squad changes

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At the end of the 2024-25 season AFC Bournemouth published their 'released and retained list', which saw large changes with the following players leaving: Alisha Buckingham, Ali Hall, Erin Bloomfield, Daniela Kosinska, Maisy Smith, Kelly Fripp and Chloe Gilroy. Helen Bleazard retired and Eloise Hall’s dual registration terms with Tottenham Hotspur ended.[44][45]

Before the new 2025-26 season started, the following players joined: Freya Meadows Tuson[46], Sophie Quirk[47] and Elena Cole[48]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG Katie Scadding
2 DF England ENG Abby Jones (Captain)
5 DF England ENG Holly Humphreys
6 DF England ENG Freya Meadows Tuson
8 MF England ENG Phoebe Williams
10 MF England ENG Molly Barron-Clark
11 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Gemma McGuinness
13 GK England ENG Erin Foley
14 MF England ENG Katie James
15 MF Wales WAL Elena Cole
16 MF England ENG Ellie Strippel
20 DF Wales WAL Caitlin Morris
22 FW England ENG Jenna Markham
24 DF England ENG Kelci Bowers
25 FW Bermuda BER Kenni Thompson
27 DF England ENG Amber Treweek
28 DF England ENG Charlotte Harris
TBC FW England ENG Sophie Quirk

Out on loan

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There are no Bournemouth players currently out on loan.

For a list of all former and current AFC Bournemouth Women players with a Wikipedia article, see Category:AFC Bournemouth Women players.

Management

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Current management and coaching staff

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As of March 2025[49]
Name Role
Steve Cuss Manager

Honours and achievements

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League

  • Southern Region Premier Division (level 4)
    • Champions: 2005–06
  • Southern Region Division One (level 5)
    • Champions: 2003–04
  • Hampshire County Division Two (level 8)
    • Champions: 2015–16
  • Hampshire County Division Three (level 9)
    • Champions: 2014–15

Cup

League history

[edit]
Champions Runners-up Promoted ↑ Relegated ↓
Season League FA Cup League Cup Other
Division Pld W D L GF GA Pts Pos Competition Res
2018–19 Southern Region Premier (5) 18 16 0 2 93 16 48 2nd R1 PR The Chairman's Cup

The Hampshire Senior Cup

W

R2

2019–20 Southern Region Premier (5)[b] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - Q3 - The Hampshire Senior Cup R2
2020–21 Southern Region Premier (5)[b] 1 1 0 0 11 0 3 6th R1 R1 The Subsidiary Cup SF
2021–22 Division One South West (4) 18 12 4 2 52 14 40 2nd R2 R1 The Hampshire Senior Cup
RU
2022–23 Division One South West (4) 22 13 4 5 59 21 43 4th R1 DR FA League Plate

The Hampshire Senior Cup

R1
W
2023–24 Division One South West (4) 22 19 3 0 98 12 58 2nd R3 R1 The Hampshire Senior Cup
W
2024–25 ↑Division One South West (4) 22 21 1 0 100 7 62 1st R3 DR FA League Plate

The Hampshire Senior Cup

W
RU

Key to league competitions:

  • Southern Region Premier - Southern Region Women's Football League Premier Division. (The fifth tier of English women's football.
  • Division One South West - The FA Women's National League Southern Division One South West. (The fourth tier of English women's football.

Key to cup competitions:

  • DR = Determining Round[c]
  • PR = Preliminary Round
  • R1, R2, etc. = Round 1, Round 2, etc.
  • Q1, Q2, etc. = Qualifying Round 1, Qualifying Round 2, etc.
  • SF = Semi-finals
  • RU = Runners Up
  • W = Winners

Notes

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  1. ^ The full name of the club is AFC Bournemouth, without expansion.[1][2]
  2. ^ a b Cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. ^ All National League clubs are entered at the Determining Round, with the winners continuing in the League Cup competition and the losers going into the National League Plate tournament.

References

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  1. ^ "Company details". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Club trademarks". AFC Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Women's team brought under Foley control, with investment planned". Bournemouth Echo. 9 June 2023.
  4. ^ "AFC Bournemouth acquired by Bill Foley-led partnership". AFCB. 13 December 2022.
  5. ^ "AFC Bournemouth". www.bournemouth.ac.uk.
  6. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Ladies – History". AFC Bournemouth Ladies. Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  7. ^ "AFCB Ladies do the Double!". Vital Bournemouth. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Ambassador League Cup 2007/08". South West Combination Women's Football League. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Lanahan: Upset to see the club fold". Vital Bournemouth. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ "2014–15 Hampshire County Division Three". The FA. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. ^ "2015–16 Hampshire County Division Two". The FA. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. ^ "New Ladies Manager Appointed". Eastleigh F.C. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Steve Cuss". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  14. ^ "Women's Team Promoted to National League". AFC Bournemouth. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Bath Does the Trick as Cherries keep Alive Promotion Hopes". AFC Bournemouth. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  16. ^ "AFC Bournemouth's Steve Cuss on changes to women's team". Bournemouth Echo. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  17. ^ "AFC Bournemouth manager Steve Cuss on facing Exeter City". Bournemouth Echo. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Exeter City Women vs AFC Bournemouth tickets SOLD OUT!". Exeter City FC. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  19. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women captain on 'heartbreaking' draw at Exeter". Bournemouth Echo. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  20. ^ "The FA Women's National League". The FA. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  21. ^ "FA WNL Cup_2024 - 2025 Determining Round". The FA. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  22. ^ "AFC Bournemouth crowned league champions: In pictures". Bournemouth Echo. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  23. ^ "Record crowd sees 'incredible' Cherries seal title". BBC.CO.UK. 24 March 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  24. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beat Portishead Town 5-1 in National League". Bournemouth Echo. 29 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Cuss hails 'dream' campaign as Cherries go two league seasons unbeaten". AFC Bournemouth. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  26. ^ "Shot-stopper Foley on Bournemouth's title win". The FA. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Cherries duo pick up FAWNL awards". AFC Bournemouth. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  28. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beat Cheltenham to win National League Plate". 14 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  29. ^ "AFC Bournemouth beaten by Southampton U21s in Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  30. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Women". AFC Bournemouth.
  31. ^ "£3.4million boost for Ringwood football facilities project to help future Lionesses". The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times. 31 August 2023.
  32. ^ "Ringwood Round Table grant towards Long Lane development". Bournemouth Echo. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  33. ^ "Progress as 3G pitch opens at Ringwood Town Football Club". Bournemouth Echo.
  34. ^ "Work starts on Ringwood Football Club clubhouse project". Bournemouth Echo.
  35. ^ "Ringwood Community Hub Opens New Facilities". Bournemouth Echo. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
  36. ^ "'It was unreal' - Bath nets hat-trick as Cherries Women maintain push for promotion". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  37. ^ "AFC Bournemouth's women set to play in front of a record crowd". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  38. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women's head coach Steve Cuss on record crowd". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  39. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women defeated 6-0 by Charlton Athletic in FA Cup". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  40. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women draw 1-1 with Keynsham Town". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  41. ^ "AFC Bournemouth close gap on Swindon Town with 4-0 win". Bournemouth Echo. 10 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  42. ^ "Cherries on the up after victory at Vitality". AFC Bournemouth. 23 March 2025. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  43. ^ ""AFC Bournemouth Women"". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Women's 2024/25 released and retained list". AFCB. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  45. ^ "Fairytale finish for retiring Bleazard". AFCB. 27 April 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  46. ^ "Freya Meadows Tuson joins AFC Bournemouth". Bournemouth Echo. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ^ "AFC Bournemouth sign Sophie Quirk from WSL 2 side Portsmouth". Bournemouth Echo. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  48. ^ "Wales under-19 international Cole signs for Cherries". AFC Bournemouth. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  49. ^ "AFC Bournemouth Women's Team". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
  50. ^ "The FA". 19 May 2019.
  51. ^ "AFC Bournemouth women defeat Portsmouth in Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 20 March 2023.
  52. ^ "Steve Cuss on AFC Bournemouth women winning Hampshire Senior Cup". Bournemouth Echo. 15 May 2024.
  53. ^ "AFC Bournemouth claim FA WNL Plate". The FA. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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