BACK in April we featured a look back at 1956, which was believed to be the last time Dorset footballers reached the final of a national tournament.

We told of the Dorset Boys Clubs football team, who were invited on May 5 1956 to West Ham's football ground for the national final against the London Boys Club for the News Chronicle Challenge Cup.

However, we weren't anticipating a visit from Ian Hutton, of Weymouth, who has pointed out that the Dorset Association of Youth Clubs team reached the final of the National Association of Youth Clubs in 1969.

It is thanks to Ian that we can tell the remarkable tale of this plucky team who provided a thrilling final and came so close to holding the cup.

The final, at The Hillingdon Borough Football Club, Leas Stadium, Middlesex, on Saturday May 17 1969, saw Dorset (in green and white) lose to Lancashire Youth Clubs Association (in white shirts and Black shorts) 5-4 after a last minute goal.

The Dorset boys staged a memorable fightback, as they were 3-0 down at half-time, but sadly it wasn't to be. The indomitable Lancashire hadn't lost a match for four seasons.

Ian was supposed to be playing in the match up front alongside his twin brother Len, but an injury prevented him from taking to the pitch and Roger Hawkins took his place.

He said: "I should have been playing but unfortunately I chipped my collar bone playing in a game in the previous week for my local team.

"I was disappointed to miss the match, but I didn't think much about it."

The players who formed the gallant losing team in the final were Dave Butler of Ferndown Y.C, Terry Mitchell of Ferndown Y.C, John Ryder of Swanage Y.C, Paul Miller of Ferndown Y.C, Ray Pratt of Ferndown Y.C, Bob Butler of Ferndown Y.C, David Hope of Weymouth Y.C (also captain), Len Hutton of Gloucester St Y.P.C, Roger Hawkins of Woolbridge Youth Club, Mike Smith of Ferndown Y.C and Roger Stares of Weymouth (Y.C). Dave Squibb of Weymouth Y.C and Brian Kibbey of Dorchester Y.C.was on the bench. They were managed by Jim Dailey.

Such was Jim's reputation, he was known as Dorset's Sir Alf Ramsey. The Scot played both sides of Hadrian's Wall had had a lifetime of experience behind him.

His career brought him south and as a strong, bustling centre forward, his skill with his head was well known to league goalkeepers.

Jim played for Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham, Exeter City, Workington and moved to Dorset when he signed for Weymouth.

he then went on to coach the Dorset youth club team. Since then, he took Dorset to a higher stage of the tournament each year.

The team reached the final of the tournament with a squad of only 16 players

The closest they came before 1969 to reaching the final was in 1964 when they reached the semi-final.

Star striker Terry Mitchell was known as 'the darling of the terraces' and scored in every match, also scoring the opening goal in each match.

David Hope, the captain, at 21, was playing his last game for Dorset Youth and always set a good example on the pitch.

Brothers Bob and Dave Butler were the third pair of brothers to play for D.A.Y.C county team. The others were the Linford twins of Wareham in 1964 and Ian and his twin brother Len.

Special mention in the match day programme goes to Percy Vallance of Worth Matravers, who was aged at least 70 and had never seen Dorset beaten in a game.

Although the team didn't get their hands on the trophy, they came so near yet were so far. They scored 18 goals throughout the tournament and conceded just five.

We would love to hear from other members of this gallant losing side to find out where they are now and and what their memories of that day are. Get in touch using the contact details below.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830973

e: joanna.davis

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoJo