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
1
9th August 2025
News Item
The opening day of the new DPL season did not disappoint as across the 9 games played, 37 goals were scored .....
The Big winners on the day were Balti Sports FC who thumped Hamworthy Recreation FC Reserves 8-1 at the College, scoring for the hosts were Matthew Harvey, Troy Walbridge, Callum Stanton, Devin Fry, Ryan McKechnie, Charlie Mussenden [x2] & Jack Summers, scoring Rec's consolation was ????. Bournemouth Electric got their season up and running with a 5-0 squashing of the Bees from Bridport FC Reserves at Broadway Lane, scoring for the hosts were Oliver Bird [x2] Kylee St-Clement, Mohamed Ibrahim and a Jake Harvey penalty. Another side to score big were Cobham Sports who tamed the Zebras from Sherborne Town FC Reserves at home with Asa Phillips, Callum Clarke [x2], Faustino Maher, Joe Wood & Lee Wilkins all scoring for the hosts. Dorchester Sports welcomed Holt united to the Avenue Stadium with the Bulls running out 2-0 winners courtesy of an OG & a Mickey Finch effort.
As for the League New Boys, Gillingham Town FC welcomed Bournemouth Sports FC to Woodwater Lane with honours shared after a 1-1 draw with Archie O'Donnell scoring for the hosts only for Sports to equalise through Taylor Edwards, the other new boys picked up 3 points after a 3-1 win at the County Ground for Verwood Town FC as they beat hosts Hamworthy United FC Reserves. The Hammers led at the break courtesy of an OG only for 3 second half strikes from Matt Pope, Lewis Harvey & Flynn Wearden. Wimborne Town FC Reserves got off to a perfect start as they beat Westland Sports FC 4-2 at the Wyatt Homes Stadium, scoring for the hosts were Kester Wilson [x2], Taylor Broadley & Adrian Kalkovska, replying for Sports were Niall Woolard & Matt Iceton. Meanwhile their was a point a piece at Turlin Moor as hosts Poole Borough FC drew 0-0 with Portland United FC Reserves, finally in the Purbeck, hosts Swanage Town & Herston FC defeated Blandford United FC 2-1, and wouldn't you know it, opening the scoring for the Swans was Mark Ford who signed for the hosts after years of stellar service for the Royals, equalising for the visitors was Reuben Stanley only for Will Pryor to grab the winner and the points for the hosts in the 2nd half.
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 |