The history of Dorchester Town Football Club can be traced back originally to 1871 and the founding of The Dorchester Football Club. Like many clubs of that era, the Club played the rules of football that later evolved to become what is known today as rugby, but nevertheless the club quickly “attained an enviable reputation for respectability and skill” according to the Dorset County Chronicle.

By the end of the decade, the craze of Association Rules for the game of football had swept along the south coast, and on Monday, 18th October 1880, the town’s men gathered in The Kings’ Arms Hotel to “resuscitate” The Dorchester Football Club under association rules. They would play their home games at The Recreation Ground on Weymouth Avenue, which was home to the cricket club in the summer months. Leonard Robinson became the club’s first-ever captain, a position he would hold for many years.

Due to the importance of the town’s economy to the wider region, while most of the country typically took their half-holiday on a Saturday afternoon, the townsfolk of Dorchester took theirs on a Thursday, the day after market day. While the Saturday team of Dorchester Football Club struggled in the Dorset League, the Thursday team excelled. The town’s unique weekend arrangements meant that many Dorchester clubs struggled to organise matches with opposition on Thursdays or to muster a team for Saturday matches outside of town. In the 1908/09 season, the club imposed a policy of only playing fellow Dorchester teams and visiting military teams.

However, this policy only lasted for one season, and in the following year, an alternative plan was drawn up. On 26 August 1910, representatives from Dorchester United (cricket), Rovers (cycling), Athletic, and Wanderers attended The Dorchester Football Club AGM and agreed to join them to create “a team worthy of the good old town of Dorchester.”

It was here that the club adopted its new name of Dorchester Town Football Club to signify its new united ambition for the town. In 1929, the club moved from the Recreation Ground to the dedicated Avenue Football Ground. Just five years later, a remarkable event took place at the ground on 30 August 1934. To commemorate the centenary of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, Lloyd George MP, the last of the Liberal Prime Ministers held a rally at a packed Avenue Ground. In the afternoon, Dorchester Town hosted the London Labour Football Club, followed in the evening by a game against an international workers’ XI.

With post-war football thriving across the country, the club joined the Western League in 1947 and two years later turned professional with Mr. K.W. Holland declaring, “People will not turn up in large numbers to watch Dorset league football.” With the club now averaging gates of between 1000-1500, the club were able to attract bigger names to the club - none more so than former Wolves Goalkeeper, Ken Bird, who joined as player-manager from AFC Bournemouth. Bird quickly led the Magpies to success, winning the Western League Championship in 1954/55. The same year also saw us reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup. Qualifying rounds saw us score victories over Poole, Bournemouth Gasworks, Portland and Winchester. In the first round, the club hosted fellow non-leaguer's Bedford Town in front of a gate of 3,500. A 2-0 win saw the club rewarded with the plum tie of York City at home. A record crowd of 5,750 packed out the Avenuem Ground, but despite taking the lead, the Magpies would fall short, losing 5-2. York would go on to make the semi-finals that year.

The following year (1955/56), Dorchester Town once again made the first round proper. Having put aside Newport IoW in the final qualifying round, the club was drawn away to Norwich City. A packed Carrow Road saw the Magpies fall to a 4-0 defeat. They again reached the First Round proper in 1956/57. After being taken to a replay by Bideford, their reward was a trip to Loftus Road to face Queen’s Park Rangers, where they once again fell to a 4-0 defeat.For the fourth year running, Dorchester Town reached the First Round Proper in a campaign that really turned heads. A local derby was on the cards in the fourth qualifying round as the club was drawn away to then high-flying local rivals Weymouth. Almost 6,000 were in attendance as a 2-2 draw brought them back over the Ridge, where a packed-out Avenue Ground watched the Magpies defeat the old enemy 2-1. The prize was the visit of the then-famous amateur team - and indeed holders of the FA Amateur Cup - Wycombe Wanderers. The Magpies ran out 3-2 winners in a pulsating game. An away trip to Plymouth Argyle would await, but again, they would stumble to a heavy defeat to league opposition, this time 5-2.Then in ’59, Dorchester Town were at it again. A Dinky Curtis goal against Weymouth gave the club another derby cup victory and put them in the First Round hat, where they were drawn away to Port Vale. Bill Gillett equalised, but the team slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat.

The club joined the Southern League (South) in 1972 and five years later finished runners-up to Margate to gain promotion to the Premier Division. The following season saw the Magpies curtailed by the formation of The Alliance League (now The National League). Struggling in their initial season in the Premier Division (1978-79), they fell four places short of making the cut into the new league and were placed into the reformed Southern Division. Dorchester Town celebrated their centenary season by winning the Southern Division at the first time of asking, but with no promotion to the Alliance Premier in its first season of existence, they were denied the chance to play at the highest level of non-league football.

The following season, the club once again tasted FA Cup glory. A replay win over Minehead saw them rewarded with an all-Dorset clash at home to AFC Bournemouth in front of a sold-out Avenue Ground. A famous Paul Thorne goal took the club back to Dean Court, where a last gasp extra-time goal broke Magpies hearts.

A severe financial crisis hit in the mid-eighties, with relegation and near bankruptcy. However, a remarkable season in 1986/87 saw the club win the league and return to the Premier Division. Having come so close to losing the club in the late 80s, Peter Aiken and the board realised that the old Avenue Ground had begun to outlive its purpose and brokered a deal with Tesco and the landowners, the Duchy of Cornwall, to develop a new stadium for the club. The move saw Dorchester Town establish themselves in the Southern Premier in the early 90s, before Stuart Morgan took over and led the club to sixth in 1994/95 and fourth in 1997/98, along with cup success including reaching the FA Cup First Round Proper once again, where they were knocked out away at Oxford United,

That season also saw the club reach the last sixteen of the FA Trophy. Having beaten Slough, Sutton, and Salisbury, the club hosted Woking at a sold-out Avenue Stadium. In a highly eventful game that will go down in club folklore, the Cards (and eventual winners) scored in the last minute to win 3-2. After a poor start to the 1999/2000 season, manager Stuart Morgan was relieved of his position as manager and was replaced by Mark Morris. Morris was able to steer the club out of the relegation zone in his first season but was unable to repeat the feat the following season when the Magpies lost the Premier Division place they had held for fourteen seasons. That season did see the club again reach the FA Cup First Round Proper, where, despite taking the lead, they lost 2-1 away to high-flying Wigan Athletic.

The Magpies threatened to regain their Premier Division status in their first season in the Eastern Division but finished in third place. However, they achieved their objective the following season, when after a fine campaign with only five defeats, the club returned to the Premier Division as Champions.In the first season back in the Premier Division, the club reached the play-offs for promotion to the newly launched Conference South. Having won away at Bath City, a swan-song Matty Holmes performance inspired the stripes to a 2-0 victory over Tiverton at Exeter City’s St James’ Park to become founding members of the Conference South. The Magpies almost reached the play-offs once again in their inaugural season in the Conference South, but missed out on another promotion opportunity on the final day of the season. The following season saw Mark Morris resign to be replaced by Mick Jenkins.  Jenkins reign was short lived and the club went through a handful of managers until former Dorchester player and reserve team manager Phil Simkin took over. The club stalwart guided the Magpies to their greatest FA Cup triumph in the modern era as the club beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 in the first round proper, in a match televised live. The reward was a trip to Luton Town in the second round, where the Magpies narrowly lost 2-1 in a pulsating game. Simkin would lead the Magpies to eight in the Conference South the following season, before financial difficulties hit the club and they were subsequently relegated to the Southern Premier League South. Whilst the club fought to get its finances back in order, the club spent many years in the wilderness, constantly fighting against relegation.

That would eventually change when former player Glenn Howes returned to the club as manager and sparked a revival. That revival was further enhanced when Howes invited Tommy Killick to return to the club half way through the 23/24 season, to take over as manager, with Howes becoming his number two. Killick - an Avenue cult hero in his playing days - had seen remarkable success as manager at Poole Town, spanning well over a decade. Howes had been his number two at Poole for a number of years before embarking on his own managerial career, where he led Blackfield & Langley from the Wessex 1 to the Southern Premier League. Now reunited, the pair led Dorchester to 9th place in the 2023/24 season, before reaching the play-offs the following season. The Magpies would lose out to eventual play-off winners AFC Totton in the last minute of extra-time in a remarkable game.

Goalkeepers
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Joe Besant Joe joined the Magpies in September 2025 from Northern Irish Premier League side Larne, where he featured in the Europa Conference League for the Ulster side. A former AFC Bournemouth academy player, Besant spent two years in Portugal with spells at C.D. Nacional, C.C. Mafra and FC Alverca, and also has Southern League Premier experience playing for Bracknell Town.

‍Gerard Benfield Gerard Benfield re-joined the Magpies for a second spell in August 2024. Born on 28 September 1997 in Poole, Benfield began his career at Hamworthy United, before moving stepping up a couple of levels with Wimborne Town. His exploits at Cuthbury attracted the attention of Salisbury where he featured during the 19/20 season, before once again stepping up a level to join then National League side Weymouth in 2000. In August 2021, Benfield joined Dorchester Town on a short-term loan, making 16 appearances during the 2021–22 season. Spells with Weymouth, Salisbury and Wimborne followed, before he rejoined The Magpies on loan from Weymouth in 2024. His reliable performances in the first half of the season led to the move being made permanent in January 2025. Known for his commanding presence and shot-stopping abilities, Benfield brings a wealth of experience to the squad.
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Defenders

Jack Dickson Jack Dickson, a versatile right-sided player, joined Dorchester Town in 2023 following a long stint with Poole Town. Comfortable in both defensive and attacking roles, Dickson’s pace and ability to beat a man one-on-one has often seen him hailed as one of the best right backs in the league. In 2020 he spent a year in the National League with Weymouth, before returning to Poole Town the following season. Dickson made over 242 appearances for the Dolphins before moving to the Avenue Stadium in September 2023, where he has quickly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet and one of the best right backs in the league.

‍‍Ollie Haste A versatile left-sided defender, Haste signed with Dorchester Town permanently from Yeovil Town in August 2024, following an impressive season on loan. Haste’s all action displays during his season-long loan saw him win the Supporters’ Player of the Season award and he further delighted Dorchester fans by making the move permanent the following summer, despite interest from numerous other clubs.Haste said at the time of signing: ”It feels great to be a Dorchester player. I fell in love with the club the moment I came in on loan. The club has a clear vision to succeed that I want to continue where we left off. I had options at the end of last year but after discussions with family and friends, Dorch was always the right answer.”The 21-year old previously won the Southern Premier League South whilst on loan from the Glovers at Truro City and also spent a period on loan at his hometown club, Barnstaple.

Harry Hutchinson A versatile left-sided defender who is also comfortable further forward on the wing, Hutchinson signed for the club in June 2023 from Poole Town. Hutchinson was a regular in the Dolphins side for a couple of seasons before making the switch to link up with boss Tom Killick again, while also previously impressing during his time whilst at neighbours Portland United. Son of former Magpie Ian Hutchinson, he also spent a month at fellow Southern League Premier South side Winchester City last campaign before returning to The Avenue and becoming a regular in the Magpies side.
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‍Will Spetch Experienced defender Will Spetch, joined the Magpies in September 2023 from neighbours Poole Town. A hugely experienced centre back, Spetch made over 450 appearances for the Dolphins, having first joined them in the Wessex League in 2007-08. Spetch quickly made a name for himself with his leadership and aerial prowess, attracting the likes of AFC Bournemouth and Portsmouth. He made the move in to full-time football in March 2014, joining Sutton United. Injury however hampered his season with the U’s and he returned to Poole the following season, where he’d go on to play for Tommy Killick for another 11 seasons. Following Killicks departure from Poole, he made the move across Dorset along with Corby Moore and Jack Dickson, where his powerful displays and obvious leadership qualities soon endeared him to the Magpies faithful. His threat at set pieces saw him score eight times in his debut season. He scored four the following season, including a memorable 98th minute winner on the last day of the season at Hungerford, which secured a place in the play-offs.
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‍Ieuan Turner A product of the club’s youth system, Ieuan Turner has emerged as a promising central defender. Turner captained both the U18 and U23 teams to league and cup glory, whilst also dual registered with Wessex Premier League side, Bournemouth, where he awarded the player-of-the-season. A physically imposing centre back, he made his senior Dorchester debut in the 2023–24 season, making 23 appearances and scoring his first senior goal in the final away game at Basingstoke Town, before going on to start 21 times the following season.

Harvey Wright A summer signing from Dorset neighbours Wimborne Town, Harvey is powerful and dynamic centre back, who has won titles and awards where ever he has been. Wright came through the youth ranks at Poole Town before joining Wessex League side Christchurch, where he was a crucial part of the squad that went on a memorable FA Cup run, reaching the third qualifying round where they narrowly lost on penalties to Dulwich Hamlet, live on the BBC. From Christchurch he joined Hamworthy United, helping the Hammers win the Wessex League and reach the Southern League South play-offs the following season. Wright rejoined Poole Town in 2023 where he won the Dolphins' Player of the Year award in his debut season in the Southern Premier League. He joined Wimborne the following season, where he won the Player's Player of the Year award and Chairman's Player of the Year Award.
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Midfielders
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Matt Buse
Buse joined Dorchester Town in July 2024 from National League South side Truro City. A combative central midfielder, Buse has extensive experience at Step One and Two of the non-league ladder, having previously featured clubs including Yeovil Town, Torquay United and Weymouth, whilst also making over 100 appearances for Taunton Town. In his debut season at The Avenue, Buse was a regular in the Magpies side, showing both his defensive and attacking versatility with appearances in addition to his usual central midfield role at wing-back and also further forward in attacking midfield, chipping in with an impressive six goals in his debut season at The Avenue.

Wes Fogden The former AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Yeovil midfielder returned to the Avenue Stadium in the summer of 2024, fifteen years after making his senior footballing debut with the Magpies. Fogden initially signed for the Magpies from Brighton & Hove Albion, playing over forty times for the club in the then Conference South. His battling and creative displays saw him join big spenders Havant & Waterlooville, with whom he won back-to-back promotions with to the National League. His displays for the Portsmouth-based club saw him move into the Football League, firstly with AFC Bournemouth where he featured over 50 times for the Cherries before joining Portsmouth FC for the 2014-15 season. He moved to Yeovil the following season before returning to Havant & Waterlooville in 2016. Fogden joined Dorking Wanderers in 2020, where he helped the club gain promotion from the National League South, and then spent two seasons under Tommy Killick at Poole Town before returning home to the Avenue Stadium to reunite with Killick ahead of the 2024/25. Appointed Player/Coach in Summer 2025.
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‍Corby Moore Midfielder Moore joined the Magpies from Poole Town in September 2023. A metronomic central midfielder, he began his career with Southampton, where he made his debut in a League Cup tie against Stevenage Borough. He moved to the United States in 2014, joining Indy Eleven, before returning to the UK to sign for then-Conference National side, Forest Green Rovers. In January 2016 he joined National League South side Bishops Stortford, before making the switch to Chelmsford City the following season. Following his release from the National League South side, Moore joined Poole Town where he went on to make 260 appearances for the Dolphins, where he was an integral part of the team that won promotion to the National League South. Corby moved to the Avenue in September 2023 alongside Will Spetch and Jack Dickson, where he was soon to be reunited with Killick once again. He quickly established himself as a vital part of the Magpies midfield, where his composure and tactical awareness allow him to dictate play from the centre of the pitch.

Cameron Murray Murray returned to The Avenue Stadium in the summer of 2025, having first featured for the club in 2018. The technically gifted midfielder came through the Academy of Leeds United, before signing for neighbours Bradford City. He signed for York City in 2013, before going on to feature for club's such as Scarborough United, FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic in the Northern Premier League. Murray moved to Dorset in 2018, joining the Magpies for his first spell. Murray stood out in a struggling team and his energetic and creative displays soon caught the attention of local rivals Weymouth. Murray made the move over the Ridgeway, where he played a significant part in their back-to-back promotions to the National League. A change of manager saw Murray team up with Tommy Killick at Poole, joining on loan initially in 2022 before making the move permentent the following season. Killick's departure saw Murray move to Southern Premier League side Gosport Borough last season, before re-joining The Magpies the following summer.
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‍Luke Pardoe Luke Pardoe joined Dorchester Town in February 2024, bringing versatility and experience to the midfield. A cultured winger, who can also fill in at full-back, he began his career with AFC Bournemouth’s youth setup. Upon his release from the Cherries, he joined Poole Town, where he made over a 100 appearances before his move to the Magpies. Since joining Dorchester, Pardoe has contributed both in attack and defense, showcasing his tactical nous and adaptability. He scored a memorable sixth minute goal in the 2024/25 play-off semi-final, where his mazy run from the half-way line saw him beat four Totton defenders, before slotting home to put the Magpies ahead.

Tom Smith Tom Smith joined Dorchester Town in June 2025 from Taunton Town. A cultured, goalscoring midfielder, Smith began his career with Swindon Town, before joining National Leugue South side Bath City. Smith became a Twerton Park icon during a seven-year spell, where he made over 260 appearances and scored over 50 goals for The Romans. He was notably named National League South Player of the 2019–20 Season. He left Bath in the Summer of 2024 to sign for fellow Somerset side, Taunton Town, where he captained the team to a top-half finish. Known for his forward runs, creativity and goal contributions, his arrival is seen as a significant coup for Magpies manager Tom Killick, who had been a long-term admirer.

Connor Underhill The young central midfielder joined on loan from National League side Eastleigh in October 2025, making his debut that same evening against Basingstoke Town. Connor joined Eastleigh as an U16 player, before progressing through the ranks to the senior squad - under the watchful eye of former Dorchester Town player Jason Brookes. Underhill signed his first professional contract last December and went on to make 18 National League appearances for the Spitfires - including a man of the match performance in his first league start at home to Ebbsfleet back in March.

Charlie Wooding A young and highly promising midfielder, Wooding joined the Magpies in August 2025 having impressed on trial during the pre-season of 2025/26. An England Schoolboys international, Wooding came through the academy system at Salisbury FC, where he made his Southern Premier League debut aged just 16. In search of more playing time, Wooding signed for Bashley in 2024, where he impressed hugely in his debut season in the Southern League South Division. In January last season, he made the switch to league rivals Westbury United, where he went on to win a number of man of the match awards and picked up February's Player of the Month award. His calm and mature displays at such a young age caught the attention of Tommy Killick, who invited him to trial with the Magpies this summer.
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Forwards
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Jadyn Crosbie The 21-year old joined The Magpies on loan from Torquay United in September 2025. He first came to prominence as a youngster at Mangotsfield United, where his prolific goalscoring record brought him to the attention of Torquay United. He moved to Plainmoor in the summer of 2024, making six first team appearances before going out on loan to Gloucester City last season.
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Marcus Daws A Northern Ireland U21 international, Daws is an electric wide-forward who began his career with AFC Bournemouth, coming through the Cherries' academy, where he enjoyed a fruitful loan spell under Tommy Killick at Poole Town. Daws joined Luton Town in 2023, but left the then-Premier League club the following season. He reunited with Killick at Dorchester in January 2024, where he got back to enjoying his football and playing with confidence once again. He joined AFC Totton briefly at the beginning of 2024/25 season but returned to The Avenue in October, where his end of season form was a major factor in The Magpies getting into the Play-offs that season.
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‍Joe Parker Joe began his career at Gloucester City, where his goalscoring exploits quickly attracted the attention of Newport County.With the arrival of James Rowe Joe opted to leave and was sold to Leamington where he played as a right winger. It was a role that he also occupied at Chippenham Town and one that he was brought back to City to fill with the aim of him feeding Danny Wright in the middle.he former Newport County forward scored 11 times in 15 games at the end of a 2023-24 campaign that saw Yellows retain their Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South status. It is without argument that Joe's goals were a huge factor in that.Agreeing signing originally on loan from Gloucester City in 2024, Joe went on to score 21 goals for The Yellows in 58 appearances.Gloucester City Development XI, Gloucester City, Bishops Cleeve (loan), Shortwood United (loan), Newport County, Gloucester City (loan), Gloucester City (loan), Gloucester City (loan), Gloucester City, Cinderford Town (loan), Leamington, Chippenham Town, Gloucester City, Tiverton Town (loan), Tiverton Town

Luke Roberts
Roberts signed for Dorchester Town in January 2024, where the former Poole Town forward arrived following a highly successful spell working with boss Tom Killick, making over 170 appearances for the Dolphins in a 5-year spell during which time he attracted interest from full-time professional clubs. Hailed by Killick as “probably the best I have ever managed”, Roberts has overcome terrible luck with injuries following a serious knee ligament injury, and having worked his way back to full fitness became a regular in the side last season, impressing the Magpies faithful with his performances on the wing.

Wayne Robinson
Signed in the summer of 2024 from Salisbury, Robinson arrived at The Avenue having won back-to-back promotions in the previous two seasons, firstly at Sholing before gaining promotion from the Southern League Premier South with the Wiltshire side. Niggling injuries impacted his debut season with the Magpies, but the lively forward still made telling contributions both through the middle and from wider positions. His most memorable moment at The Avenue came in a dramatic 3-2 win against Basingstoke Town last season, with the Magpies scoring twice in injury time and Robinson netting the crucial 90+5th minute winner at the Bypass End to send the crowd wild.


Coaching Staff:
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‍Tom Killick - Manager Killick returns to the Avenue following a hugely successful 20 year spell as manager at Poole Town, where he took charge of nearly 1,000 games. He guided the Dolphins from the tenth tier to the National League South. The ex-Magpies striker is fondly remembered at the Avenue from his playing days in the 1990s scoring a number of memorable goals in the black & white stripes. Killick returned home in September 2023, to link up with Glenn Howes again, the two having played together at Basingstoke and later spells together at Salisbury and Poole Town.
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‍James Wood – First Team Coach Wood joined the club from AFC Totton in October 2021, having worked alongside Howes at both Blackfield & Langley and The Stags. Following his playing career, Wood stepped into management with Wessex League side Bournemouth Poppies, where a successful three year stint almost culminated in leading them to a shock league title. He joined Poole Town as Tommy Killick’s assistant and alongside then coach, Howes. He left Poole to join Howes at Blackfield, where they have built up a partnership that has seen success wherever they go.
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‍Brian Churchill – First Team Coach Churchill is an experienced coach and UEFA B licensed coach, who has previously been involved with AFC Bournemouth’s academy, as well as spells at Swanage Town & Herston and Hamworthy United. Was head coach of the club’s highly successful U23’s side before stepping aside at the end of last season.
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‍Steve Dodge – Goalkeeper Coach An experienced goalkeeper who came up through the same Dorchester Town Youth team as former Liverpool player David West, Dodge went on to a career with Dorchester, Weymouth, Bashley and Christchurch amongst others, before moving into coaching with Portland United.