EIGHT was the magic number as jubilant AFC Bournemouth fans celebrated a record league victory.

Cherries history books were re-written on Saturday afternoon after hammering Birmingham City 8-0, surpassing a record which had stood for 58 years - when they beat Swindon 7-0 in 1956.

It also set a new Football League record for the biggest post-war away win in the second tier.

More than 1,000 fans travelled from the south coast to St Andrew's and were treated to the goal-fest, which started with Brett Pitman scoring within three minutes of kick-off before a blitz of goals culminated in Tokelo Rantie making it eight in the 86th minute.

Cherries fans were in dreamland and, as well as wild celebrations, the result prompted a flurry of eight-themed puns appearing on social media.

Intrepid supporter Ollie Ethell pledged to wear his Bournemouth shirt for the next eight days in honour of the famous win.

Supporter of 52 years, Peter Lovell, said despite the scale of the victory he was not altogether surprised.

“I think Bournemouth have looked like pulling off a result like this for quite some time,” he added.

“It was absolutely amazing and a moment fans won't forget.”

And supporter Gareth Davies said: “It was remarkable, but given what has already happened to the team under the stewardship of Eddie Howe, nothing surprises me anymore.

“We were ruthless and never took our foot off the pedal. It bodes very well for the rest of the season.”

The result propelled Cherries to fourth in the table, just two points from the top in a campaign many fans feel could end in their promotion to the Premier League.

It was, however, not their biggest ever victory in all competitions. In 1971 Cherries routed non-league Margate 11-0 in a first round proper of the FA Cup.

And in September 1939 they smashed Northampton 10-0 in Division Three South. However, this result was expunged due to the outbreak of World War II.

The morning after the night before, a Twitter user going by the name William Snootsworth, posted: “Got up slightly leight this morning, but eight a nice breakfast. Overcooked the bacon - I was literally burning ham.”