Page 24 - Yate Town FC sample_Neat

Argyle in The First Round Proper at The Avenue Stadium, a game which was
televised live on ESPN, and the first time The Magpies had eliminated a Football
League side. However, they were then knocked out in the next round by Luton
Town at Kenilworth Road. The most recent run to The Second Round Proper, prior
to 2012, was in 1981, when they lost to AFC Bournemouth after a replay, before a
crowd of 8700 at Dean Court. Previously they had played York City and Plymouth
Argyle, at that same stage of the competition, both in the 1950’s. They have also
reached The First Round Proper on six other occasions, with their opponents being
Norwich City, QPR, and Port Vale, again all in the 1950’s, Gloucester City in 1989 -
90, Oxford United in 1995 - 96, and finally in 2000 - 01 when Wigan Athletic were
the opposition at The JJB Stadium, when The Magpies went down 3-1 after a fine
display.

In the FA Trophy The Magpies have twice reached the last sixteen, firstly in 1971 -
72 when they lost to the holders Telford United after a replay, and then again in
1996 - 97 losing to eventual winners Woking.

The Magpies, then in the Eastern Division, won the Southern League Cup
competition in season 2001 - 02, convincingly defeating then Premier Division
King’s Lynn by an aggregate score of 4-0 in the two leg Final. Prior to that
Dorchester's most successful season in that competition was 1991 - 92 when they
finished as runners up to Dover Athletic. Previously they reached the semi-finals in
1981 - 82 when they lost to Wealdstone, and they reached the same stage again
in 1998 - 99 when they were defeated by Cambridge City.

Dorchester have won the Dorset Senior Cup on twelve occasions, the most recent
being season 2011 - 2012 when Wimborne Town were beaten in the Final played
at the County Ground at Hamworthy.

Dorchester moved to their current ground, The Avenue Stadium in August 1990,
which is literally a few yards down the road from their old home. The ground stands
on land owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, and Prince Charles, in his role as Duke of
Cornwall, took an active interest in its design, making a number of private visits
during construction, before officially opening the ground on the 20th November
1991. A Tesco supermarket has been built on the Club's previous ground, which
they had occupied since 1929. The highest attendance for a league game at The
Avenue Stadium is 4129 for the match against Weymouth on the 1st January 1999,
although the stadium capacity is 5009, with seating for 710.
In May 2013 Chairman Shaun Hearn transferred half of his majority shareholding
in the club to the Community Trust, with the commitment to see D.T.F.C become
fully community owned, a process which was duly completed. This has introduced
an entirely new business model to the club, which now needs to run in a
sustainable manner in order to protect its long-term future. This is a daunting, but
exciting, venture, which should bring long-term benefits to both the club and the
wider community as they become more closely involved with each other.
Supporters can now have a real say in how D.T.F.C. is run by the new Board of
Directors, for the first time in its history it is truly OUR club.

During the close season in 2018, a 3G pitch was laid, which has opened up new
avenues, and which has increased the community involvement in the club, with the
facility being used on most days and evenings during the week. A significant uplift
for the club for the future.