CHAIRMAN Neal Butterworth praised manager Phil Simkin after it was revealed Dorchester Town’s playing budget had been reduced to a level the club could afford.

Speaking to the Magpies’ official website, Butterworth said: “Everyone at the club believes that we belong in the Conference South and we are all working hard to keep it that way – none more so than Phil.

“I want to pay special credit to Phil as the last couple of months have been horribly tricky, but he has handled it all astutely and professionally.

“No-one is working harder than Phil to change our fortunes.

“He’s working almost every single evening, scouting, and speaking with other clubs.

“He’s constantly on the phone trying to improve the squad, and the fact that he has been able to extend the deals of the two Bournemouth lads against competition from plenty of other clubs is testament to his hard work.”

AGM

Dorchester Town FC Community Trust’s AGM will take place in the lounge bar at the Avenue Stadium on December 16 (6.30pm).

As part of the two-year rotational process, chairman John Greenslade and board member Neal Butterworth are to stand down.

Secretary Dave Ring will do the same but has offered to be co-opted back onto the board if three candidates or less put themselves forward.

Nominations to fill the three positions are being taken while the AGM will also be voting on whether to make Shaun Hearn, Jon White, Adele Russell, Keith Legg, Richard Coole and Mark Cope full board members.

The trust board has 12 places, of which no more than five can be co-opted at any time – the remaining seven must be elected positions.

Entry to the meeting will only be granted to current trust members and nomination forms must be returned by December 13.

A resolution to change membership renewals to a quarterly format will also be voted on at the AGM.

For further information visit dtfcct.org.uk