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;
-
Club availability in line with recent survey Results conducted over concluding season
-
Availability of Pitches, Players, Match Officials, Club Volunteers etc.
-
NLS Season curtailed at Steps 3-6
-
Additional matches in lower Sat & Sun Leagues impacting on Availabilities
-
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
12
4th October 2025
News Item
There were 10 games played involving DPL Clubs across 5 Competitions today .....
LEAGUE
Swanage T&H FC moved up into 4th place after a 2-0 win in West Dorset at Bridport FC Reserves with the Swans scoring through strikes from Will Pryor & Cody Moore. Balti Sports FC beat Verwood Town FC 5-1 at Potterne Park with goals from Troy Walbridge, Jack Summers, a brace from Matt Chambers & an OG with the hosts consolation scored by Stephen Lillis. Hamworthy Recreation FC Reserves beat Portland United FC Reserves 3-1 at Magna Road with goals from Curtis Lane [x] & Elliott Birtwistle with Harvey Davis scoring for the Blues. At the 11th time of asking, Gillingham Town FC picked up their 1st win of the season after defeating Wimborne Town FC Reserves 4-0 at Woodwater Lane, scoring for the hosts were Josh Josey from the penalty spot, Bobby Hilton [x2] & Archie O'Donnell, this now leaves only Poole Borough FC yet to win a game so far this season as they went down 2-1 at Turlin Moor against Sherborne Town FC Reserves, scoring for the visitors was Josh Haskett with a brace, with Dan Ephrem replying for Borough.
LEAGUE CUP
Cobham Sports FC progressed through to a quarterfinal home tie against Bournemouth Electric FC after their 3-1 win at Merley Park against Bournemouth Sports FC, scoring for the hosts were Callum Clarke & Joe Wood [x2] with Rob Howard scoring for the visitors.
DORSET SENIOR TROPHY
Holt United FC welcomed Blandford United FC to Petersham, with the Royals progressing through 3-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at FT, scoring for the Bulls was George Lane with Marco Fowler equalising for Blandford. Despite a Jahrel Campbell strike for Hamworthy United FC Reserves, it was not enough to see them progress as Dorset Senior League side Cranborne FC beat them 2-1 to deservedly made it through to the next round.
HAMPSHIRE SATURDAY TROPHY
Bournemouth Electric FC comfortably progressed into the next round after winning 6-0 at Select Generation FC with goals from Olly Bird [x2] Jackson Kavita [x2] Ionel Lailot & Joe Flacchi.
SOMERSET SENIOR CUP
Despite going 1 down, Westland Sports FC won through 4-1 against Red Falcon FC with goals from Niall Woolard [x2] Phil Ormrod & Luca Martin.
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 |