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
8
2nd September 2023
News Item
LEAGUE
League leaders Hamworthy Utd Reserves made the log trip to West Dorset to play Bridport Reserves and return East with all 3 points after a 4-1 win, scoring for the "Hammers" were Finlay West, Lennon Claydon, Charlie Harries & Billy Phillips with Toby Mann getting the "Bees" consolation, still hard on their heels are Holt United who also won 4-1 this afternoon at Petersham Lane as they defeated Portland Utd Reserves, scoring for the "Bulls" were Sam Bennett, Scott Bungay, Spencer Hanslip & Lewis Sainval, getting the "Blues" consolation was Troy Walbridge. A crowd of approx 250 at Park Road witnessed hosts Blandford Utd beat Sherborne Town Reserves also by a 4-1 scoreline, goalless at the break, the "Royals" scored through Mark Ford, Reuben Stanley (x2) & Elliott Manson with the "Zebras" consolation courtesy of an OG. Balti Sports maintained their good form by winning 2-1 at Sturminster Marshall, with their goals coming from Dan Andrews & Louis Gear with the hosts scoring through Joe Baynham. Swanage T&H lost 3-2 at home against Wimborne Town Reserves despite taking the lead through Connor Magnier, back came the visitors with goals from Albie Turner, Callum Clarke & an OG with Blake Hughes getting the "Swans" 2nd. Bournemouth Sports had a comfortable 5-0 win at Chapel Gate against Shaftesbury Reserves with their goals coming from Maddison Wilkin, James Bergin, Jack Voisey, Karol Borowski & Sam Darlow, another side to have a comfortable 5-0 win were Dorchester Sports who beat their visitors Poole Borough, scoring for the hosts were Dan Sheehy (x2) Josh Camp, Alex Godfrey & Joel Hewitt. Finally if it was late dram you were after then Canford Park was the place to be as Merley CS drew 3-3 with Sturminster Newton, the hosts went in at half time 3 up with goals from Awall Abubaker and a brace from Luke Stone, however the "Cherries" started their fightback with 15 minutes to go when Neil Sweatman scored, Billy Bright then notched 6 minutes later only to then equalise in the 10th minute of injury time !!
SOMERSET SENIOR CUP
Westland Sports crashed out of the competition at the 1st hurdle after losing 2-1 at Fry Club FC, Ollie Crisp had given them the lead but the hosts came back to win the game, to make matters worse, Sam Smith also saw Red for the visitors.
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 |