Funds in the back of the net after charity match success

The Avenue Stadium hosted the match between Dorchester Town Football Club and a Dorset Army side as a tribute to events 100 years ago at Christmas when troops from both sides put down their arms to sing carols and play football.

The event raised over £1,000 for two military charities, while a raffle on the night also raised £100 for the Royal British Legion.

It was the idea of Dorchester Town FC’s community director Allen Knott and the culmination of weeks of planning by the club, local military and other organisations.

Around 1,000 people turned out on the night to show their support and Mr Knott said he was delighted with how it had gone.

He said: “People just kept turning up, it was brilliant.”

Mr Knott said Combat Stress and Blesma (the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association) would each receive ‘well over’ £1,000 from funds raised on the night.

He thanked those from the local Army garrisons at Blandford and Bovington for all their support and help in organising the event.

Mr Knott said: “They have been tremendous.”

The Magpies won the match 7-0, but it was the remembrance service beforehand – with carols and music from the military wives choir and Royal Artillery Band – that many felt was the highlight of an emotional night.

The event also came at a poignant moment for Dorchester Town FC, as it was held just before shareholders voted overwhelmingly for the club to switch to a Community Benefit Society (CBS).

A special resolution was passed at the club’s AGM after 99.9 per cent of people voted in favour of the move.

Mr Knott said the First World War memorial event was a great example of what could be achieved in the Magpies’ role as a community club and hoped it will be putting on more events of a similar nature in the future.

He said: “The whole thing worked well because it’s an integral part of what we are doing in the community.

“It shows what we are now capable of doing as a community club.”