Ashley Vickers rates the past season as the “most eventful” of his 21-year career.

The 37-year-old started the campaign as former boss Roy O’Brien’s assistant while also providing cover at the heart of the Dorchester Town defence.

A change in ownership was later met with a change in leadership as O’Brien bit the dust following a dismal derby-day defeat at the hands of struggling Weymouth back in November.

Vickers was then asked to steady what appeared to be a sinking ship but he and his crew, plus a handful of new additions, kept the Magpies afloat.

The centre-back relinquished his playing duties in order to lead from the dugout and he was handed the reins on a permanent basis two months ago.

Survival was Vickers’ remit when he took over from O’Brien and despite the upheaval of the past campaign, the Magpies reached their target with four games to spare.

Reflecting on a turbulent campaign, Vickers said: “Nothing surprises me in football but when I look back at the seasons I’ve spent in Dorset, including at Weymouth, the last one has been the most eventful of my career in terms of activities off the pitch.

“We had high hopes at the start of the season but we did not get the start we wanted.

“Things changed and we just tried to grab the bull by the horns and do our best. The lads have a great work ethic and Phil Simkin has been a huge help to me. Shaun Hearn came in as chairman and provided stability, which is something the club longed for.

“The uncertainty surrounding the club then lifted and it is now on a more stable footing.”

Asked for his highlights of the 2009/10 season, the county town manager added: “Arguably the biggest high was when we came from behind to beat Hampton & Richmond in December as the club hadn’t come back from 1-0 down at half-time to win for nearly three years.

“Another high came when we beat Thurrock at home but the best feeling was the way the lads responded to the change of events and the way they all pulled together.

“There’s huge expectation on next season but I don’t feel any more pressure – only the pressure I put on myself.”

Not only did he oversee Dorchester’s biggest ever win in Blue Square South – a 6-1 victory over Basingstoke on Easter Monday – Vickers also presided over the Magpies’ heaviest league defeat in almost five years – a 5-0 drubbing at Lewes on April 17.

Vickers said: “We were safe and the lads had worked ever so hard to achieve that. Therefore we earned the right to change the team against Lewes and I don’t hold any guilt about that.

“It didn’t work out but we learned a lot from it and I wouldn’t change it.”

Vickers also paid tribute to the incoming players who surpassed expectations, adding: “The signings that raised the most eyebrows this season were probably the most successful – the likes of Nathan Walker and Steve Devlin.

“We’ve got a dressing room full of winners and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”

SEASON TIMELINE

AUGUST

* Dorchester make the perfect start to the season with an impressive 3-0 win over St Albans on the opening day of the season.

* However, the Magpies take just two points from the next six games.

* Off the field, Poole-based estate agent Tony Newman is set to become the club’s new owner.

SEPTEMBER

* Board members David Martin and Annie Greenslade resign as question marks hang over the club’s ownership with Newman failing to meet FA criteria.

* However, former vice-chairman Shaun Hearn clears the air of uncertainty and assumes the majority shareholding – as well as replacing Dave Roberts as chairman. Martin returns as secretary and director.

* The Magpies end the month with a comfortable FA Cup second qualifying round victory over lower-league Hungerford Town. Stalwart Mark Jermyn is the star of the show as he nets a 15-minute hat-trick in the 4-0 win.

OCTOBER

* Dorchester smash five past Braintree but then crash out of the FA Cup – courtesy of a 2-1 defeat to Gloucester City – just a week later.

* Steve Devlin marks his arrival with a debut goal in the 2-1 victory at Maidenhead United – the county town side’s first away win of the season.

NOVEMBER

* The Magpies’ indifferent form continues before manager Roy O’Brien loses his job 24 hours after a 3-0 FA Trophy defeat at hands of bitter rivals Weymouth.

* O’Brien’s assistant Ashley Vickers is made caretaker boss on November 22 and brings in former Magpie Ryan Hill and ex-Terra Kyle Critchell, but falls to a 3-1 loss at high-flying Woking in his first match in charge.

DECEMBER

* Dorchester exit the Dorset Senior Cup following a 4-1 reversal at home to Alex Browne’s Wimborne Town.

* Four days later the Magpies overturn a half-time deficit for the first time since September 2007 to defeat Hampton & Richmond and hand Vickers his first win at the helm.

* Former Real Zaragoza assistant Gorka Etxeberria becomes the frontrunner for the vacant manager’s post before Hearn reveals there will be no permanent appointment until legal issues with ex-chairman Eddie Mitchell are resolved.

* Etxeberria stays in Dorset to oversee training sessions but the Magpies can only draw with Weymouth on Boxing Day before losing 3-0 to eventual champions Newport.

JANUARY

* Dorchester’s year begins on a depressing note as they suffer another defeat at the Wessex Stadium.

* James Coutts arrives, December addition Nathan Walker excels in defence and the Magpies go three matches unbeaten.

* Former president and secretary Albert Miller passes away at the age of 87.

FEBRUARY

* The unbeaten streak stretches to five before a narrow loss at Chelmsford.

* The Magpies put the disappointment behind them to collect five points from the next nine.

MARCH

* Critchell is unable to prevent Wales’ semi-professional squad going down to a 7-2 defeat against Portugal Under-23s.

* Vickers is named as the permanent successor to O’Brien and celebrates the appointment with a 4-2 win over Weston-super-Mare.

* Hearn announces that the ongoing legal issues with Mitchell have been resolved with the Magpies coming out on top via an out-of-court settlement.

APRIL

* Dorchester record their biggest ever win in Blue Square South as they hammer Basingstoke Town 6-1 on Easter Monday.

* However, 12 days on and the Magpies suffer their heaviest league defeat in almost five years courtesy of a 5-0 drubbing at Lewes.

* A turbulent season ends on a high as Matt Groves bags his 150th goal for the club in a 4-2 victory against Maidenhead.