'Bournemouth in touching distance of Europe feels surreal'

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Former Bournemouth defender Joe Partington says seeing the growth of the club from the verge of bankruptcy to the verge of European football is "pretty incredible".

Brazilian teenager Rayan scored the winner against on Saturday against Fulham to extend the Cherries' 16-match unbeaten run and boost hopes of securing European football for next season.

"It feels slightly surreal for those of us who have been around it for a long time and have had an emotional attachment to the club," Partington told the Cherries: Unpicked podcast.

"There's two different sides to the Cherries. There's a modern-day version of young fans who only really know the Premier League era and have been spoiled and there's a nostalgic era of fans - many of whom were in that away end at Fulham.

"That's the best support I've ever seen Bournemouth have away from home. They have been in the depths and have been gifting their own money to try and keep the club afloat and now we're in touching distance of a European place.

"It does feel surreal because not many clubs feel that sense of growth from one place to another. We are seeing and feeling that and it is pretty incredible.

"It's a really nice period of time for the club to be in. I'm sure the players are playing with immense confidence. What the fans are witnessing and being able to celebrate is just incredible.

"It's just epic they could achieve the greatest feat in the club's history with two games to go of a Premier League season. It's all to play for and it doesn't look like the players are letting off trying to achieve it."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds