Gary Smith is the former head coach of Stevenage and the Colorado Rapids, with whom he won the MLS Cup in 2010. He is now head coach of the NASL Atlanta Silverbacks.
Bournemouth prove football dreams do come true
by Gary Smith, Head Coach Atlanta Silverbacks
When Eddie Howe returned to the South coast after a short spell at Burnley, no one could have expected the incredible turn of fortunes in store for the Dorset club.
As Manager of Stevenage we ran in to Bournemouth at their Dean Court home not long after Eddie had taken over in his second spell at the club. Although the season had started slowly under Paul Groves and Shaun Brooks, the characteristics of the free flowing, possession oriented team that Eddie had overseen just 18 months prior still remained.
That night, after a spirited performance, we bagged a well-earned point, however it was clear to see the quality throughout the Bournemouth side that night. The team played with confidence, appetite and desire, which was well matched by the home crowd’s passion and high octane support. As opposing staff we could feel the energy that now surrounded the club and even at that early point in Eddie’s return the wheels of success were starting to turn.
That very season Bournemouth secured promotion to the Championship, missing out on being Champions by 1 point. Their exciting style had earned plaudits around the country and this relatively small south coast team was now on the fringes of major glory.
Being in this lofty position for a club like Bournemouth, can and has bought pain and anguish.
Many teams across history in England have overspent and put the club in a perilous situation in search of the Holy Grail of the Premier League and the millions of pounds that can catapult the organisation into another stratosphere.
There was also a big question to be answered, was Eddie Howe the right Manager to lead them into the promised land? His spell at Burnley had been average at best and there must have been doubts, even if only at the back of the owners mind, that Eddie could replicate the teams style and success in the Championship.
The big difference from Burnley though was that Eddie had the heartbeat of the club and team, he had played for Bournemouth, been player coach, youth coach and caretaker Manager before his first spell at the helm. He knew the club inside out and had shown over the previous season that in a very short space of time he could get the best from everyone at the club.
A top 10 finish in that first year in the Championship must have felt like a dream but within 12 months Bournemouth had continued their meteoric rise by securing promotion winning the division to the most lucrative league in the world.
Bournemouth v Arsenal/Chelsea/Manchester United and City, what a stunning achievement, one of the most incredible stories in the long history of English Soccer.
The Dream is complete or is it ? There won’t be a single supporter outside of Bournemouth that thinks they have a hope in hell of staying in the Premier league this season, can Eddie and the players pull off yet another miracle ?
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