"top scoop" - prestigious award

by Howard Milton Western Gazette 6/7/06

DTYFC has achieved FA Chartered Standard Award status.

The prestigious accolade, which ensures certain ethics have been reached and maintained in regards to administration, coaching and child protection, is something which the outfit has been striving towards for a long time.

Dorchester's vice-chairman Phil Basford said: "It has taken us four years to achieve this award and a lot of praise must go to club secretary Gerry Ryall who has worked extremely hard to make sure that all the standards were met.

"We are a massive club and with new people joining all the time particularly at the bottom end in younger age groups, it has not been easy to get a representative from each side qualified to level one standard. However, we have achieved that now and it just tops off what has been a fantastic season for the club.

"Three of our sides won league titles (in the Dorset Youth League) and several came runners-up. We also had plenty of success in the county cups and in mini soccer. Another thing which went really well was our club six-a-side tournament which had a bumper turn-out and enjoyed by all.

"At the moment the club is now having a bit of a break but plans are already being put into place for next season when we hope to build further on our recent achievements."