Dorchester Town

History

Dorchester Town Football Club, originally founded in 1871 as The Dorchester Football Club, initially played by rules that would later evolve into rugby. The club transitioned to association football rules in 1880, following a growing interest in this version of the game along the south coast of England. The early years saw the club develop a strong reputation for respectability and skill, with their home games held at The Recreation Ground on Weymouth Avenue. The club’s traditional Boxing Day Derby fixture began in 1885, showcasing the local support and passion for football.

By 1910, the club had united with other local sports clubs to form a single entity under the new name of Dorchester Town Football Club, symbolizing a collective ambition for the town. This period also saw the adoption of the club’s iconic black and white stripes. The club moved to the Avenue Football Ground in 1929, a significant development that coincided with notable events such as a rally by former Prime Minister Lloyd George and a match against an international workers’ XI in 1934. The post-war era marked a pivotal turn for the club as it joined the Western League in 1947 and turned professional two years later, achieving immediate success with a league championship in 1954/55.

The club’s history is also distinguished by its FA Cup achievements in the 1950s and a move to the Southern League in the early 1970s, culminating in promotion to the Premier Division. Financial crises in the mid-1980s threatened the club’s existence, but recovery and success followed, including a return to the Premier Division and the construction of a new stadium. The early 2000s saw Dorchester Town FC securing a place in the Southern League Premier Division as champions and later achieving promotion to the Conference South, illustrating the club’s resilience and enduring legacy in English football.