Bournemouth have apologised after long-serving matchday staff were told by email that their services would not be needed next season. The Premier League club accepted that its communication fell below its own standards and said it would contact affected people individually, an issue that has drawn criticism because of the loyalty many staff members have shown over decades.

The staffing review concerns safety and security arrangements at the Vitality Stadium and surrounding areas for 2026-27, with some roles and working requirements changing. One widely criticised case involved a man who had worked on matchdays for nearly 60 years; Bournemouth later contacted him and offered him a role in a different area for next season.