Eddie Mitchell

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Mitchell to step down

by Ky Capel

Eddie Mitchell will step down as chairman of Dorchester Town at the end of the week and hand over the reins to club director Dave Roberts.

As revealed in last Friday’s Echosport, Mitchell must relinquish his role due to his expected involvement with AFC Bournemouth.

The property developer is part of the Murry Group, which has been selected as the successful bidder for Paul Baker’s stake in the Dean Court outfit, and cannot hold a position of control at two clubs.

Therefore Roberts, a director at Mitchell’s company Seven Developments, will be named as the Magpies’ new chairman later this week with club administrator Annie Greenslade expected to be made vice-chairman.

Mitchell may have transferred his majority shareholding to sons Tom and Josh, under the name of Mitch Sports, but he can still provide financial backing for the county town club.

He said: “I will resign as chairman from the end of this week and Dave Roberts will be the new chairman.

“He’s been to every Dorchester game, home and away, for the last two seasons so he’s been around the club as long as I have and he’s very enthused about the role and looking forward to it.”

Mitchell is currently unable to discuss his involvement with the Cherries due to a confidentiality agreement. However, he is keen to allay any fears that Dorchester supporters may have about the takeover, which should be concluded shortly.

He added: “The fans have nothing to worry about. I’m still committed to the club and there’s a £50,000 investment, in the form of a new marquee, that has just been put up outside the ground.

“The majority has come out of my pocket and the aim is to give the club more earning capacity. I may be stepping down as chairman but I’m not walking away from the club.”

Prospective chairman Roberts, who will be looking to recruit new directors, said: “I hope people appreciate all that Eddie’s done and I just want to carry on where he has left off.

“I know most people around the club and I hope that most of the fans know who I am.

“I also know the players and Roy O’Brien well. Roy’s done a tremendous job since coming in and I look forward to working with him and seeing where we can go.”

There is now growing speculation that Mitchell could be in line to become chairman at Dean Court, with Magpies' director Neill Blake also expected to take up a position on the Cherries' board.

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