Bournemouth issue statement after fans slam email firing long-serving worker in his 70s

AFC Bournemouth issue a statement after fans slam an email firing a long-serving worker, said to be in his 70s.

On Friday (14th August), Twitter user Ryan David (@ryandavid79) first raised the issue, shocked by what their relative had received.

He wrote: “A relative of ours has been working on match days for @afcbournemouth for nearly 60 years. Programme selling, car park duty and various other roles. 2 weeks before the season starts he received this from the club. A disgusting approach @jimfrevola club should be ashamed.”

Jim Frevola, the CEO and President of Business Operations of AFC Bournemouth, replied: “Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ll look into this immediately.”

Ryan David added after reading the club statement: “Thanks to all who have commented, shared, liked my post from last now, which has resulted in this statement. Thank you for jumping on this swiftly @jimfrevola.”

The email read: “Good afternoon, I am writing to update you regarding your contract with AFC Bournemouth for the 2026/27 season.

“Following a review of the Club’s operational requirements and direction for the new season, the Club has decided not to renew your contract for the 2026/27 season.

“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.

“Kind regards, The Safety Team.”

A relative of ours has been working on match days for @afcbournemouth for nearly 60 years. Programme selling, car park duty and various other roles. 2 weeks before the season starts he received this from the club. A disgusting approach @jimfrevola club should be ashamed pic.twitter.com/Bf2qwq2Dos

— Ryan David (@ryandavid79) August 14, 2026

Early 70s

— Ryan David (@ryandavid79) August 14, 2026

After the social media post went viral, the club have since said: “AFC Bournemouth has seen the concerns raised regarding changes to some of our matchday staffing arrangements.

“We have reviewed the way these changes were communicated to some long-serving members of our matchday team and recognise that it did not reflect the standards we expect of ourselves as a club.

“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.

“As part of our preparations for the new season, we have made changes to a number of matchday roles and working requirements as we continue to strengthen the safety and security of the stadium, its perimeter and surrounding areas. 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.

“We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to AFC Bournemouth over the years, and particularly those who have served the club for decades.”

Club Statement.

🔗 https://t.co/pOvwAhJoh6 pic.twitter.com/tLNGZa6h5J

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) August 15, 2026

Social media users gave their reaction as Bournemouth issue statement after fans slam the email firing a long-serving worker in his 70s……

@jbafcb77: Good to see the club take accountability, Need to make sure they learn from it though. Was very poor #afcb

@keithcb49: #afcb Good work by the Club and a very fast response. I wish Tim well, along with all other people affected.

@ron_taylor2: 14 years ago Bournemouth were in League 1 and made ends meet with the assistance of gentleman (and ladies) like this. Now they are Premier League they’re too big for the loyal servants of the past years. Remember where you came from, you could always end up back there!

@DaveAnd13745231: We can all make mistakes , it’s how you learn from them and put them right and don’t do them again is very important. 🍒

@upthecherriez: Yeah that’s really poor – not the best way to treat someone who’s been working at a football club for 60 YEARS?! Surely they could do something more than just a “we are grateful” 🤦‍♂️ #afcb

@ryanbmuff: Really disappointing situation, and inevitable as gravity was a ‘we will do better’ statement soon. A certain level of hubris behind the scenes perhaps, under veil of brilliant on field performance. Good times are transient. The people who make this club what it is are not

@theburleybanksy: This kind of thing doesn’t surprise me anymore sadly. Welcome to modern football and the Premier League.

@marky249: Imagine getting an email like this after 60 years of service! 😡 Shocking behaviour @afcbournemouth

@receptiveteach: Mistakes happen. Great to see the club being honest about this and putting it right!

Paul Bradford-Walker: Typical of the way the club has evolved over the last few years.

@GuyN72: This was the right thing to do. It’s just a shame that it took a social media backlash to get the club to acknowledge that people with 60 years of service to the club are our backbone. The current club custodians would have nothing without them. #afcb