Junior Cherries win signed calendars

Jermain Defoe, Nathan Ake, Charlie Daniels and Emerson Hyndman had all personalised the calendars with their signatures following a recent Superstore signing session.

To enter, the young fans were asked to come up with a paragraph on what they loved most about being a Junior Cherry.

The club received plenty of entries, with a range of stories submitted and some even choosing to write poem. 

After much deliberation, the five winners were chosen and are as follows: 

• Mia and Charlie Allum 
• Max Churchill
• Harry Newman
• Kara-Louise Parker
• Alexia Thomas 

Mia and Charlie Allum: 

"Football is a way of being yourself; releasing all emotions and showing people that whoever you are, everyone can play football. Being a Junior Cherry allows me and Charlie to release our happiness and support for the team. We are able to see our favourite players up close and the amazing manager (who brought us up from the Championship!) experience every emotion that they leave on the pitch.

We care about how the team does as once you start playing football; it's in your bones for the rest of your life. Being able to be in an elite group of supporters to show the team that we support them from a young age shows all of our dedication to AFC Bournemouth and to football. One of the amazing parts of being a Junior Cherry is that you are able to get the players autographs without being pushed around in the big crowds; makes us feel like professional football players!!

(The discounts are good too, especially when you are able to buy lots and lots of cherries merchandise with a discount!!) 

Being a Junior Cherry is amazing! Even though I am 15 and next year will be my last year of being a Junior Cherry, Bournemouth and the Junior Cherries will hold a special place in my heart. Keep doing what you're doing Eddie and the team as I'm sure that one day we will see the name in the top three (or even first place!!) in the Premier League.

Also, thank you for reading this and thank you for creating the Junior Cherries and helping us (the young supporters) be treated like equal football fans!"

Max Churchill: 

"Being a Junior Cherry is forever fun,
It gives opportunities to everyone.
You can meet the team,
Or go to a forum and share a theme. 

There are offers on food,
To brighten your mood (even if we lose),
When you are eight, stay alert and you get a free shirt.
Cherry Bear is the mascot for all,
At half time watch out as he is also very good in goal at stopping the ball.

Before any game you don't have to moan,
Because you can spend some time in the fanzone.
Christmas isn't ever hard,
Especially when you get your AFCB Xmas card.

I have been on the pitch with a flag against Bury,
My life is so much better as a JUNIOR CHERRY."

Harry Newman: 

"My favourite thing about being a junior cherry so far was being able to go to our first home game of the season and seeing Charlie Daniels score a screamer against Manchester City. I loved the match and had a fantastic day out with my grandad!

I also loved my Christmas card from the players. Lastly, I loved that Bournemouth beat Arsenal and that I was able to ring my dad and tell him! He is away with the RAF at the moment!"

Kara-Louise Parker: 

"My favourite thing about being a junior cherry was when I got a signed Christmas card from the players and the team and I took it to school to show in assembly." 

Alexia Thomas: 

"I like being a Junior Cherry because I’m a girl and it’s ok for me to like football. When we can get tickets, I go with my daddy to all the away games and home ones and my mum goes shopping.

I like going with my card at half time and getting my food and look forward to one day being able to go on the pitch with my favorite player, Josh King.

Today is my birthday and normal I get a birthday card like I did at Christmas. Being a Bournemouth fan has helped me to make friends at school and go to a football club now."