Page 24 - Yate Town FC v Dorchester Town 290822

In Town today DORCHESTER TOWN F.C.

FA Cup, reaching the last 16 of the FA Trophy for only the second time, and
finishing fourth in the Premier Division in 1997/98.
Unfortunately, in the following seasons, the Magpies were unable to
rekindle the same form, and following a number of close-shaves at the wrong end
of the table, the club were relegated to the Eastern Division at the end of the
2000/01 season, despite a strong FA Cup run culminating in a 3–1 First Round
defeat at Wigan Athletic's 25,000 all-seater JJB Stadium.
Under the guidance of manager Mark Morris, Dorchester's young squad
regained their Premier Division status within two years, defeating King's Lynn on
the final day of the 2002/03 season to take the Eastern Division title ahead of
Eastbourne Borough, scoring 114 goals in their 42 league games.
The first season back in the Premier Division was a difficult one but the club
succeeded to reach the end-of-season play-offs, where victories over Bath City and
Tiverton Town saw Dorchester become a Conference club for the first time in the
newly formed Conference South division.
A mid-table finish the following year ended with the resignation of Mark
Morris – arguably the club's most successful manager in recent history – with Mick
Jenkins taking charge of the first team. His reign, however, was short-lived. Despite
the club's tenth success in the Dorset Senior Cup, the team narrowly avoided
relegation by finishing 17th in the league, and Jenkins was sacked just a month
later in the wake of Eddie Mitchell taking over the ownership of the club.
Mitchell's arrival at the helm saw former Dorchester midfielder Shaun
Brooks installed as Director of Football, and the club announced it would be making
the step up to full-time football ready for the 2007/08 season. The Magpies
maintained Conference South football until the 2013/14 season, when relegation
to the Southern League occurred, where they have remained to this day.
The club became a Community Benefit Society (CBS) in the summer of
2015. Since then, a 3G pitch has been laid at The Avenue Stadium, which has
become a hub of activity and the home of sport in the town.

DORCHESTER TOWN SQUAD PROFILES– 2022/23
GOALKEEPERS
Brad Snelling
The keeper arrives at the avenue to become boss Glenn Howes Seventh summer
signing, having previously worked with the Magpies boss at Blackfield and Langley
whilst in the Southern league as well as turning out for Winchester City and AFC
Portchester.
Harry Dillon
The highly rated keeper, who recently moved to England from Australia, has been
part of the Magpies squad since the Start of pre season and has featured in our
friendlies against AFC Portchester, Portland utd, Wimborne town and Yeovil town.