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THE 2026 season was a clear success for Poole Pirates in the 'most competitive season' since dropping to the Championship, Danny Ford said.

Rayan's 'eyes were shining' when Marco Rose told him he would be playing in the number nine role for the Cherries ahead of their 5-1 defeat to Chelsea.

The Cherries host Fulham this weekend in another huge clash at the top end of the table.

Marco Rose felt Bournemouth could have got back into the game after Evanilson pulled a goal back at Chelsea, but they were not clinical enough and did not defend well enough, and their momentum quickly went.

Skipper Zach Cook expressed his pride in his Pirates side after they won the Championship title for the fifth time in six years.

The Cherries were poor in a thumping 5-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday as they started an intense run of nine games in a month in the worst possible way.

Marco Rose is confident the Cherries can turn their form around , admitting he cannot control when rumours circulate about his future, with football a results business.

The Cherries 'were not ready and were not sharp enough' for fast-starting Chelsea, as boss Marco Rose said his side did not play well and deserved to lose in their 5-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge.

DISASTROUS starts to both halves and braces from Jordan Henderson and Joao Pedro condemned the Cherries to a thumping 5-1 defeat at the hands of hosts Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Live updates from Stamford Bridge as AFC Bournemouth visit Chelsea in the Premier League.

Head Coach Matt Sturgess is fully aware of the challenge his Wimborne squad faces this Saturday as pace-setters Old Tiffinian's make the journey to Leigh Park.

Wimborne RFC 1st team fly-half, Tom Moysey, will celebrate his 100th cap for the club this weekend in their "top of the table" clash with Old Tiffinians

The Cherries have used the long international break well, as boss Marco Rose believes one win is all that is needed to get Bournemouth going on a run.

The message to Zach Cook and Richard Lawson heading into the Championship Grand Final super heat was not to worry about Josh Pickering and aim for second and third to get the job done, Danny Ford said.

JUNIOR Kroupi is back in individual training as he and the Cherries target a return at the end of October.

Marco Rose believes that the run of nine games in less than a month will be an important one both for results and for seeing how the squad copes with an intense schedule, but he is confident they can get points and progress in the cup.