It was an evening soundtracked by the Unimaginable Dream.
And it was no coincidence that was the music chosen on the Vitality Stadium earlier than Bournemouth's first European dwelling recreation within the membership's 127-year historical past.
As supporters fortunate sufficient to bag a ticket for the historic event waved flags to the Andy Williams traditional, a large tifo rose from behind one of many stands, bearing the phrases 'Minus 17 to European desires. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899'.
As lately as 2008, an evening like this is able to have been unthinkable for Cherries supporters.
Simply 18 years in the past, Bournemouth had been dealing with the prospect of not present.
After coming into administration, the membership had been relegated from League One after being handed a 10-point deduction.
However that was not the tip of their troubles. To be allowed to compete within the 2008-09 season, Bournemouth, then managed by Eddie Howe, needed to settle for an extra 17-point deduction in League Two.
It left them on the backside of the Soccer League and seemingly destined for all times as a non-league aspect.
By the tip of the season, the Cherries had not solely accomplished one of many biggest escapes in English soccer historical past to safe a Twenty first-place end and survival, however had additionally laid the foundations for a decade of success, which culminated in a primary promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
Quick-forward to the current day and Bournemouth are making historical past for all the best causes within the Europa League. Thursday's 3-0 win over Sturm Graz meant they grew to become solely the second English aspect to win their first two matches in a serious European competitors since Bolton achieved the feat within the Uefa Cup 21 years in the past.
"It's a second that may reside lengthy of their reminiscences," former defender Joel Ward instructed TNT Sports activities. "The membership ought to relish this night time.
"The proprietor [Bill Foley] manifested this second when he first got here into the membership. He set the requirements for this membership, he has invested lots into it and he wished to see this membership in Europe.
"He obtained his want, and so they have actually began extremely properly thus far."
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Smith embodies Bournemouth's fairytale
It was an evening that at all times appeared destined to supply a fairytale storyline, such has been the character of Bournemouth's rise since 2008.
At Wednesday's pre-match press convention, defender Adam Smith – the membership's longest-serving participant after initially becoming a member of on mortgage from Tottenham in 2011 – admitted he would by no means have imagined captaining the Cherries in Europe.
However there was extra to come back for Smith. The appropriate-back earned his personal piece of historical past by offering the help for Bournemouth's first European aim on dwelling soil, with Evanilson heading his cross dwelling late within the first half.
"It's been a very long time coming. The followers had been up for it, the gamers had been up for it, so we’re very glad," Smith instructed TNT Sports activities.
"We had a chat with one another and we obtained a response in the present day. That's an AFC [Bournemouth] efficiency proper there."
Since making his transfer from Tottenham everlasting in 2014, Smith has made greater than 430 appearances for the Cherries.
In that point, the 35-year-old has helped Bournemouth safe three promotions, two of which have taken them to the Premier League.
When he was changed by James Hill halfway via the second half, the house supporters rose to their ft and chanted Smith's title as he departed the sphere.
"He's an instance to everybody of what arduous work seems like and the rewards that you simply get, even in the direction of the latter levels of your profession," added Ward.
"He's extraordinarily skilled, and he absolutely deserves the success he's getting now. Nights like this are what you reside for. To stroll out captaining that aspect is emotional and makes the hair get up on the again of your neck."
'If we stick collectively and play like this… then we’re arduous to play towards'
It was no shock to see Bournemouth supporters stay of their seats lengthy after the ultimate whistle as they tried to take in as a lot as they might of a landmark night time on the south coast.
For Marco Rose and his gamers, although, the main focus will shortly shift to Sunday's Premier League conflict with Sunderland.
Regardless of hovering to new heights within the Europa League throughout the opening weeks of the season, their Premier League marketing campaign is but to get going.
The Cherries sit 18th within the desk and are certainly one of solely three groups, alongside Fulham and Tottenham, but to win a match this season.
"If we stick collectively and play like this and we’ve got our followers, then we’re arduous to play towards and it's arduous to beat us," stated Rose, who succeeded Andoni Iraola in June.
"That's what we should always take into the subsequent recreation."
Bournemouth's outstanding story will enter arguably its most glamorous chapter but when AC Milan go to the Vitality Stadium subsequent week.
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