Bourne was a local football enthusiast who joined the board of Crystal Palace at the invitation of Edmund Goodman.
Noting that Bourne was a regular purchaser of tickets, Goodman approached him regarding the idea of a new club playing at the FA Cup Final venue.
Bourne was very agreeable to the idea and joined the board of directors, being elected chairman at the club's first ever meeting.
[2] In 1909, Bourne was quoted in the press on the idea circulating at the time of the football players forming a trade union.
If trade unionism is going to step in and interfere in every petty dispute there is not a director who will risk another shilling or devote another hour's work for the sport.