Business people are getting a once-in-a-year, exclusive chance to play on the hallowed turf of AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.
AFC Business, the club’s commercial arm, is staging its annual Play On The Pitch five-a-side tournament on May 18.
The popular event will see dozens of players emulating the likes of Jermaine Defoe and Lewis Cook by competing in a series of matches culminating in finals and a trophy presentation on the pitch.
AFC Bournemouth partnerships manager Amy Marks said: “This is a great chance for non-professional footballers to play on the pitch which is usually reserved for Cherries stars.
“As a community club we want to open up our facilities to the public as much as possible and our groundsman has given permission for this event to take place before he starts summer preparation of the pitch for the 2018/19 season.
“The event is always popular and we are limited to 12 teams so any companies interested in taking part should apply as soon as possible.”
Businesses are being invited to enter squads of seven players – not all need to be employees.
All teams, who will each play a minimum of three games, receive either AFC Bournemouth replica shirts or training tops, pre-match refreshments and an after-tournament buffet.
Families and friends are welcome to support the 2pm to 7pm event and the concourse bar will be open.
There will be four pitches with three leagues of four teams playing in 12-minute matches throughout the afternoon from 3pm, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final at 5.15pm. There will also be a plate competition.
AFC Business is AFC Bournemouth’s free-to-join business club which offers a host of benefits to its 1,600 members, such as attendance at regular events and breakfast networking meetings and enables the club to maintain a high profile in the business community.