CHERRIES chairman Jeff Mostyn says it will be a “huge honour” for the club to host an England under-16s Sky Sports Victory Shield match at Dean Court on Friday, November 8 (7.35pm kick-off).

Head coach Kenny Swain’s Young Lions face Northern Ireland in the competition which has previously featured stars such as Michael Owen, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney.

The game will be screened live on Sky Sports and it will be the second international to be held at the home of AFC Bournemouth in three months after England women cruised to a 6-0 victory over Belarus in Dorset in September. Cherries chief and FA council member Mostyn (pictured right) is delighted to be welcoming another national team to the venue.

“It is a huge honour for us to be chosen as the venue for such a prestigious game,” said Mostyn.

“I am particularly proud to be hosting the game as a member of the FA youth committee with responsibility for supporting the England under-16s team.

“I think it is testament to all the hard work that the club’s staff put in that we have been recognised for such an occasion and we will not disappoint as hosts. The game provides the town with an opportunity to witness the best in young British footballing talent and potentially spot some of the future stars of our beautiful game.

“Tickets are exceptionally well priced and the match offers the best way to kick off the weekend ahead of our first team’s trip to Burnley.”

England under-16s began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Wales in Kidderminster where a first-half strike from Chelsea’s Charlie Wakefield was enough to seal victory in front of 2,702 spectators.

Tickets for the game went on sale on Monday and are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. They can be purchased in person from the Dean Court ticket office and the BIC, online or over the phone.

The ticket office is open from 9am 5pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 9.30am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 0844 576 1910.

Spectators can buy tickets online 24 hours a day via Cherries’ new pick-a-seat feature at www.afcbdirect.co.uk.