Bournemouth
Dean Court
Capacity 12,060
Address Dean Court, Kings Park, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 7AF
Ticket prices £20 (adult) £11 (concessions)
www.afcb.co.uk
Dean Court is a very nice stadium that wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship, if they completed the South stand, of which is now an empty space after the owners of the club sold the temporary stand that was in place there. The ground was totally redesigned in 2001. The pitch was rotated 90 degrees to make more space and three new stands were built in a very short space of time.
All three stands are of a very similar design and height. The main stand is slightly different to the East Stand opposite because it has executive boxes within the stand as well as a couple of bars named “Champions” and “Cherry’s Bar” respectively. This stand now also houses an electric scoreboard on the south side of this stand, which keeps the supporters up to speed with the score out on the pitch.
The North stand has now been re-named the Steve Fletcher stand in honour of their veteran striker who has clocked up over 600 games for the Cherries. It’s another smart looking stand that is all seated. Adjacent to this stand is the East Stand which is nearly identical to the Main stand.
The visiting supporters are located to the south of the East stand, where up to 2,000 supporters can be allocated. This is usually limited to just 1,500 though, depending on varying levels of away support. The away section provides good views of the ground and surrounding park. It’s certainly one of the nicer grounds to visit in the Football League and when you consider the seaside aspect as well, it makes it perfect for a weekender.
Getting to Bournemouth
By car
Sat Nav Reference: BH7 7AF
Bournemouth is a pretty straight forward journey from North Hertfordshire. Get onto the A1(M) southbound and then onto the M25 via your preferred route. Leave the M25 at junction 12 for the M3 going towards Southampton. Follow the M3 past Southampton and merge onto the M27 Westbound. This eventually becomes the A31 which runs through the New Forest. Exit the A31 onto the A388 signposted Bournemouth.
Follow this road for a few miles going into Bournemouth until you see a sign for “Football Traffic” and Kings Park. Once you reach the end of the sliproad, you will get to a roundabout. Take the 2nd exit and you will see the ground appear ahead of you after 500 yards or so.
Parking
There is a pay and display car park just outside of the ground. It’s free after 6pm, so handy for evening kick-offs. Otherwise, usual charges apply.
By train
Pokesdown is the nearest station to the ground, although Bournemouth isn’t too far away either a bit further down the Wessex Road. Both stations are served regularly by trains from London Waterloo, although check times first if travelling for an evening kick-off.
From the Pokesdown ticket office, turn right onto Christchurch Road until you find Gloucester Road. Follow this road down to Kings Park Drive. The ground is the opposite side of the park that is in front of you. From the main Bournemouth station, turn right onto Holdenhurst Road, which runs parellel with Wessex Way. Turn right at the roundabout and the ground will be visable on the left after approximately 500 yards.
