Cherries fans hail historic day in San Sebastian

Cherries fans are gathering in San Sebastian ahead of their club's first European fixture.

AFC Bournemouth take on Real Sociedad on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League and excited supporters have been sharing what the moment means to them.

After a lifetime of supporting the club, which 30 years ago was on the brink of financial collapse, many say they can hardly believe their luck.

Among them is Liam Baker, from Bournemouth, who said: "I wouldn't miss it for the world. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and for everyone. It's unbelievable to be here."

Seth Hemmingway, who travelled with Baker, said: "In 2011, I got a free coach to Carlisle to the FA Cup and I thought 'surely this is the longest journey I'm ever going to take to watch Bournemouth' but here we are.

"We got a car, we got a train, we got a bus, we got a plane. It's a long way but it's worth it.

"You are only going to have one first European game ever and this is it."

Amanda Williams, from Blandford Forum, said: "It's been an incredible journey and, honestly, it couldn't be more exciting.

"We're just enjoying the atmosphere, having to pinch ourselves quite regularly because it's still quite hard to believe that it's even happened.

"I recognise so many faces because a lot of the people here are the people who follow the Cherries to away matches."

Tom Harwood said he was expecting it to be an "emotional" night.

He said: "I don't think there will be many dry eyes in there, especially when that music comes on, the lights come on and the players walk out."

Harwood said his girlfriend back in Bournemouth, who is 31 weeks pregnant, was "probably too pregnant for me to be here right now", but added: "She's good as gold. She loves Bournemouth just as much as I do."

Ryan Baker, originally from Bournemouth but now living in Colchester, said: "It's been an unbelievable experience so far.

"It's hard to know what to expect when you get here but everyone's been extremely lively the whole time - a lot of drinking, a lot of chanting.

"You would have never have thought about it 20 years ago - to come here, Europa League, first game in Europe.

"Fingers crossed we can get a good result."

Among those following the game from afar is Tracy Olsen in Florida.

Three years ago she had never heard of AFC Bournemouth but, while on a trip to Las Vegas, she placed a $20 bet on a match that was showing on a big screen.

Now she has a Cherries flag flying outside her home and is "ecstatic" about their rise to the Europa League.

She said: "We typically go to Harp and Celt, which is a Premier League soccer pub in downtown Orlando, or we will watch the matches at home and invite friends over.

"If they can just unleash their confidence and aggressiveness, they'll score right out of the gate."

Real Sociedad v Bournemouth will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Solent. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.