After 125 years in existence, and a few near brushes with extinction, AFC Bournemouth last night all but guaranteed their seat at the top table of English football with a place in the Premier League.
A 3-0 win over Derby County gave the south coast club a three point lead over Middlesbrough with one game left in The Championship. Crucially, Bournemouth also have a +19 goal difference over their northern rivals.
Since joining the Football League in 1923, The Cherries have been a mainstay in the Football League and have only played in the second tier of English football for five seasons, including the current one, over two periods in the clubs history.
Bournemouth's resume reads like many other Football League clubs for much of their history. Until recently, they were most famous for an FA Cup shock defeating Manchester United in 1984 when Harry Redknapp was manager.
The Cherries fairytale finally gained momentum in the last ten years.
In 2008, the side were relegated from League One with a ten point deduction due to financial irregularities and administration.
The following season they started on -17 points under a cloud. Relegation to the Conference that season would mean extinction for the club.
Former player Eddie Howe, took over as manager aged only 31 at the start of January 2009 when the club were ten points adrift of league safety.
They secured Football League survival and that of the club with a win in their last home game of the season against Grimsby.
In the summer of 2009 the club was taken over by a group businessman including current chairman Jeff Mostyn. The following season they were promoted to League One.
Howe left the club after that promotion to take over at Burnley but returned to the club late in 2012 when they were still in League One after play off heartbreak in previous seasons. He went on to guide the club to promotion that season.
Russian businessman Maxim Demim became the owner of the club in the summer of 2013 after previously owning a shareholding in the club. Although little is known about the owner, his money has kept Bournemouth's Premier League push going.
Last season Eddie Howe's side finished tenth in the Championship before pushing on this season and looking Premier League bound.
They play an attractive passing style of football and will hope their tight Goldsands Stadium will cause Premier League sides trouble next season.
The ground will be by far the smallest in the league with only a 12,000 capacity, although they hope to raise that by 3,000 in the summer.
It's the first time the club have reached the top tier, and with Howe recently being named the Football League Manager of the Decade he will hope he and his side will not be back in the Championship any time soon.
Going into next weekend's final round of fixtures AFC Bournemouth are only one point behind Watford and the Championship title will be up for grabs for both sides.
The Cherries' fans will be having a party about the impending promotion at The Valley this weekend against Charlton.
Although, after last nights game Charlton has a word of warning for their opponents.
Bournemouth celebrating like they've completely ruled out a 19-0 defeat at The Valley on Saturday. We'll see... #cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 27, 2015
The promotion also marks a shifting landscape in English football with next year marking the first season, the majority of clubs in the top four tiers will have had Premier League experience.
Bournemouth: into the history books as the little club who made playing in the Premier League a majority experience. pic.twitter.com/J41FOJ8eim
— sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) April 27, 2015
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