'The whole thing still seems surreal for fans'

[Getty Images] "From -17 to Europe", read a flag in the away end at the Anoeta Stadium. As Bournemouth embarked on the first European campaign in the club's 127-year history, it served as a reminder of just how far they have come. But a 2-1 victory at Real Sociedad in their Europa League opener shows they are not ready to stop there. For the vast majority of fans celebrating a famous victory on Thursday, the whole thing still seems surreal. Just 18 years ago, the club was on the brink. A 10-point deduction for entering administration resulted in their relegation to League Two. To even stay in the Football League for the 2008-09 season, they had to accept a 17-point deduction and agree not to appeal against the decision after it was ruled that, as they had been unable to agree a Company Voluntary Arrangement, they had not met their terms for exiting administration. Thoughts of a £100m-rated midfielder picking out a Brazil winger to head Bournemouth to victory in Europe was the stuff of fantasy as the Dorset club battled for survival. But that now is Bournemouth's reality with Alex Scott swaggering around San Sebastian, showing why there is such a clammer for his signature among top Premier League clubs, and Rayan providing another example of why the Cherries will demand every penny of a reported £130m release clause to let him go. Bournemouth have nothing to compare it to, but this was a proper European away performance. Read more on Bournemouth's dramatic rise And listen to BBC Radio Solent's Cherries Unpicked podcast by hitting play below or on BBC Sounds here , as Jordan Clark and ex-Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels break down Thursday's historic win