The 2002-03 campaign delivered a triumphant, instant return to the third tier for AFC Bournemouth as The Cherries secured a crucial 4th-place finish in the Third Division. Under manager Sean O'Driscoll, the team then surged through the play-offs, culminating in a spectacular 5-2 Final victory over Lincoln City at the Millennium Stadium. The emphatic result, featuring goals from the two Fletchers, Stephen Purches, and Garreth O'Connor, made Bournemouth the first club to score five goals in a play-off final at the venue. This season, anchored by the league goals of James Hayter and Garreth O'Connor (8 each), remains a cherished chapter that cemented the club's enduring fighting spirit and was the true beginning of their modern resurgence.