Last updated: Thursday 16th May 2013, 9:12am

Dorchester Town set for

community ownership

FRIDAY May 17th 2013 is a day when a new era is set to begin at Dorchester Town Football Club. 

In taking co-ownership of the club on behalf of its members The Community Trust will have started on the path towards their ultimate aim of full community ownership in the near future and will be giving Trust members and supporters a real say in the running of their club for the very first time.

Exciting times lie ahead and although plenty of hard work and commitment will be required from all involved we are extremely positive about what the future will bring, working in partnership with the club and the Dorchester Town Youth organisation.

In line with Trust policies of openness and transparency we will be keeping our members informed of all developments to date and publishing on-going information relating to the progress in moving the club forward.

This will include the working protocol agreed between the Trust and Shaun Hearn, the 2013-2014 business plan and budget and details of the new club board, with a breakdown of director’s specific roles and responsibilities. 

In addition there will be a timeline through pre-season in respect of season ticket deals, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, events and pre season friendlies as soon as details are finalised. And of course we will be keeping you informed about developments around the main interest in a fans life. Their team!

Our ambition is to remain competitive and play at the highest level possible, but from May 17th the responsibility for achieving this aim will now fall on all of us... The club board, the Community Trust, Dorchester Town Youth FC, supporters and players alike, as well as businesses and the local community. The club will be as good as the support it gets and it needs everyone’s involvement to make it as successful as we know it can be.

Together we are stronger and together we can give Dorchester a football club to be proud of.

Working in partnership with the club and the Trust is Dorchester Town Youth FC, under the Chairmanship of Lloyd Spracklen. The youth set up has ambitions to extend the opportunities for children of all ages to play football, regarding this partnership as a means of providing a permanent base from where they can further improve the structured and professionally run organisation they have built up over many years and oversee the development of local players for the future benefit of DTFC. 

The vision for the future development of the club holds some long term and exciting plans for community involvement and DTYFC are key to this commitment, bringing to the partnership outstanding organisational capability and volunteer commitment.  

The future involvement and support of DTYFC is highly valued and we are all looking forward to the club benefitting from their expertise in many areas.