Introduction to the
Dorset Premier Football League
The league was formed in 1957 and was initially called the Dorset Football Combination League.
The 2019/2020 Season will be contested by 17 teams covering the entire county of Dorset and neighbouring Counties.
The objective of the League on its formation was to increase the standard of football in Dorset, an ideal that still holds true today as the League currently sits at Step 7 of the FA's National League System.
The DPL is proud to have been awarded it's FA Standard Charter League Status.
DPL League Management Committee Decision - 26 February
FA Update - 22nd February 2021
We welcome the UK Government’s update today regarding the Covid-19 roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions which means we can look forward to the safe return of grassroots football from 29 March for both adults and children.
With this new clarity around timings, we will continue to work with Government on plans for a safe return for grassroots football across England and will communicate updated guidance as soon as we can.
We can also confirm that the 2020-21 grassroots season has been extended until the end of June in order to provide additional flexibility and time for leagues to complete their fixtures this season if they wish to do so.
Please note: the extension does not apply to the National League System (NLS) Steps 3-6, Regional NLS Feeder Leagues and the Women’s Football Pyramid from Tier 3 and below, including County Leagues at Tier 7, as the process to determine the preferred route forward for these competitions is currently ongoing. We will provide a further update on this in due course.
Summary of decision - Click below for full letter
After discussion around a host of issues with extending the season until the end of June, given we are normally used to finishing on/by the 2nd Saturday in May, I have listed below some of the issues amongst others raised;
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Club availability in line with recent survey Results conducted over concluding season
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Availability of Pitches, Players, Match Officials, Club Volunteers etc.
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NLS Season curtailed at Steps 3-6
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Additional matches in lower Sat & Sun Leagues impacting on Availabilities
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Additional Costs incurred – given No Current Income Streams
The Decision taken UNANIMOUSLY by the LMC is to NOT EXTEND the Season after May 31st 2021 and it was further discussed and UNANIMOUSLY decided to therefore CURTAIL the 2020/21 League season with Immediate Effect, the rational for Curtailing the League season is as follows, given we will not be extending into June.
In the meantime, we are committed to offering Competitive Football in the form of a Supplementary Cup Competition throughout April & May, the format will be decided once the below questionnaire has been received back from ALL Clubs by 5pm on FRIDAY 5th March 2021 due to needing replies from each member Club, League Rule 5D(I) will be enforced.
This Competition is optional to you and there will be No penalties for not entering nor will membership of the DPL for season 2021/22 be compromised, and given the released Roadmap, I am confident that next season will see a Full Pre Season in July ready to kick off in August on time and see a Full League & Cup Program completed in Full. (fingers crossed)
Covid 19 Match day protocols will remain in place until instructed otherwise.
I must also remind you that player Qualification rules will still be in place - League Rule 18 I
Match Day Roundup
15
30th September 2023
News Item
LEAGUE
With the top 3 at start of play not in League action today, 4th placed Wimborne Town Reserves welcomed 5th place Portland United Reserves to the New Cuthbury with the hosts securing a comfortable 3-0 victory, a win that moves up into 2nd place, scoring for the hosts were George Griffiths with a brace & Heath Thornton. The Ridgeway Derby went the way of hosts Dorchester Sports who beat Balti Sports 2-1, scoring for the hosts were Alex Godfrey & Dylan Ellis with Derek Wall scoring for Balti. Swanage T&H made the long trip North to face Westland Sports at Alvington and return to the Purbecks with all 3 points after a hard fought 1-0 win with the Swans goal courtesy of Jack Hughes. Bournemouth Sports picked up an important win as they beat hosts Sherborne Town Reserves 4-1 at Raleigh Grove, scoring for Sports were Jack Voisey (x2) James Bergin & Gabrial Spennato, replying with the Zebras consolation was Aiden Partridge. Finally there were 10 goals at Merley Park as Merley Cobham Sports won 7-3 against Shaftesbury Reserves, scoring for the hosts were Alex Rankin, Luke Stone (x2) Owen Reynolds (x2) Awwal Abubakar & Amechie Eze-Sunday, replying for the Rockies were Ollie Marsh, Josh Holford & Mitchell White.
LEAGUE CUP
Last years beaten finalists Sturminster Marshall bowed out of this seasons Competition at the 1st hurdle as they were well beaten at home by Holt United 16-0 !!, scoring for the rampant Bulls were Alistair Garard (x8) Scott Bungay (x5) Sonny Wilkinson, Chris Manners & Sam Bennett. Poole Borough progressed through courtesy of a Dan Mirto goal just before Half Time as they beat their Blandford Road Derby opponents Hamworthy United Reserves 1-0 at Turlin Moor. Blandford United also made it through to the Quarter Finals after 3-1 win at Park Road against Bridport Reserves, scoring for the Royals were Mark Ford (x2) & Archie Macarthy. Ali Kamala scored for the Bees.
Useful Links
Fixtures, Results and Tables
We now provide links to the Full Time Website - Click Below
League Handbook 2019/2020
DPL MATCH COMPLIANCE FORM
To be completed by both sides prior to a Match and sent by the Home side to Giles electronically, photo or email, BEFORE the game kicks off. Download from the below link.
Diary Dates
Event | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
Start of season 2022 / 2023 | Saturday 13th August 2022 at 15:00 |