Bournemouth are on the brink of something truly special. As they prepare to face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Saturday—their third-to-last match of the Premier League season—the Cherries know that winning their final three games, or simply matching the results of the teams below them, could secure an unprecedented prize: European football for the first time in the club's history.

For longtime supporters, this moment carries a familiar, nostalgic weight. Flashback to May 4, 1987: Bournemouth traveled to the same venue for their penultimate game of the season, sitting atop the old Third Division. A win would clinch promotion to the second tier for the first time ever. Anything less, and the dream would hinge on the final day.

That day, Fulham had the wind at their backs in the first half, but Bournemouth's goalkeeper Gerry Peyton saved a penalty to keep the score 0-0 at halftime. Early in the second half, the Cherries fell behind—but responded instantly. A penalty was awarded when Fulham's future England World Cup defender Paul Parker brought down Carl Richards, and Trevor Aylott calmly converted to level the score.

Aylott then capitalized on a weak punch from Fulham keeper Laurence Batty to make it 2-1 with just 10 minutes remaining. On-loan striker Tony Sealy added a late third, igniting the promotion party. That historic win set the stage for a new chapter—and now, 39 years later, the parallels are striking.

Craven Cottage has been transformed since 1987, and so has Bournemouth as a club. From the lower leagues to the Premier League, the Cherries have risen dramatically. Fulham still harbor their own European ambitions, but a victory on Saturday would mathematically put Bournemouth out of the Cottagers' reach and, at the very least, secure a top-half finish.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed. One bad weekend of results—as seen in the title race and relegation battle this week—can quickly shift fortunes. But just as in 1987, Bournemouth hold their destiny in their own hands. They have the chance to create history once again.