Bournemouth have issued an apology after some long-serving members of their matchday staff were informed their services would no longer be needed for the 2026-27 season via a brief email — a method the club has since admitted fell well short of the standard expected.

The notification came from "the safety team" just two weeks before the start of the new season, and quickly drew criticism online. One post on X described the treatment of a man who had volunteered as part of Bournemouth's matchday operation for nearly 60 years as a "disgusting approach," noting that the message amounted to just four paragraphs.

The club's response

In an official statement, Bournemouth acknowledged the shortcomings in how the changes were communicated. "We have reviewed the way these changes were communicated and recognise that it did not reflect the standards we expect of ourselves as a club," the statement read.

"People who have given many years of service to AFC Bournemouth deserve to be treated with appreciation and respect. We are contacting those affected directly to listen to their concerns and review their individual circumstances."

The club also confirmed that the staffing review was part of a broader effort to strengthen safety and security arrangements around the stadium and its surrounding areas ahead of 2026-27.

"These changes are important, but so too is the way we communicate with and treat the people who have served our club. We should have handled this better, and we will do better," the statement continued.

Affected staff member offered new role

BBC Sport has learned that the club contacted the individual who had been working in the car park before the statement was released. He has since been offered a position in a different area of the matchday operation for next season.

The email sent to departing staff members ended with a brief expression of thanks: "We appreciate this will be disappointing news. On behalf of everyone at AFC Bournemouth, I would like to thank you for your commitment, professionalism and contribution to the club during your time with us. We are grateful for the support you have provided over the years and wish you every success for the future."

A club on the rise

Bournemouth's swift rise through English football — from League Two to the Premier League in just five years, culminating in promotion in 2015 — has been one of the game's most remarkable stories. After relegation in 2020, the club bounced back two years later and will this season compete in European football for the first time in their history.

The episode serves as a reminder that as clubs grow, the manner in which they treat the people who built their foundations matters just as much as results on the pitch.