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Mitchell admits mistakes but stays committed
STATEMENT: Eddie Mitchell
STATEMENT: Eddie Mitchell

EDDIE Mitchell has reaffirmed his commitment to Dorchester Town following fears over his interest in AFC Bournemouth.

The Magpies' majority shareholder admits mistakes have been made this season but is keen to help the county town side make an immediate return to the Blue Square South following Saturday's relegation.

In a statement released for tonight's matchday programme, where the Magpies take on Braintree Town (7.45pm) in their final home fixture of the campaign, he said: "We are nearly at the end of the season and both Shaun Brooks and I are desperately disappointed at our league position.

"But we must take the positives from our first season in charge and learn from our mistakes and I believe we have made many both on and off the pitch.

"We both honestly believe that we are much better placed to return to the Blue Square South than we were to stay up this season.

"Without looking for excuses we were realistically faced with re-building a team this season, and pulling in players all new to each other has proved difficult, but we now have a hardcore of good strong players to build from.

"Off the pitch I know exactly what I am faced with for next season. I know with the team of people I am working with we can make progress towards getting the club to run on its own, which has always been my aim.

"Although because of our league position we will come under fire, it's my belief that Shaun and I have won over the majority of supporters who can see what we are trying to build.

"Personally, and I am sure Shaun feels the same as well, we are truly in it for the long run and I can assure all the supporters that I am not one for losing, and we will be working hard for an imminent return to good times." When asked of his interest in the Cherries, Mitchell said: "Nothing's happening right now, I just want to concentrate on football at Dorchester."

Despite seeing his Magpies relegated at the weekend director of football Brooks is keen to end the season on a positive note.

He said: "The players have still got to perform. I've always said that we'd go out and try to get as many points as possible until the season ends. Players will be playing for pride as well and to hopefully put on a show for the supporters."

And Brooks, who successfully battled cancer earlier in the season, is hoping to put a turbulent year behind him.

He added: "The bottom line is that we have not done a good enough job throughout the club.

"Every year is a learning curve but this one especially with the way things have happened on and off the pitch.

"There have been far too many distractions, although that's no excuse, we just need a period of stability at the club and to concentrate on the football."

The only injury concerns ahead of tonight's clash are defenders Roy O'Brien (back) and Patrece Liburd (groin) but Brooks will check their fitness ahead of the game.

Released duo Tareq Khalil and Simon Evans became the first casualties of Dorchester's relegation and more could follow.

Brooks added: "We need to free things up in order to get new players in. Tareq is a tremendous little player but we are going into a more physical league next year.

"Simon is carrying a long-term injury to his knee and is 6-8 weeks away from an operation and his rehab will take a while."

8:56am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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Posted by: Phil S, Dorch on 9:17am Tue 22 Apr 08
But we must take the positives from our first season in charge

Is this some sick joke?

Although because of our league position we will come under fire, it's my belief that Shaun and I have won over the majority of supporters who can see what we are trying to build

Another joke maybe the man is in cloud cuckoo land. Suggest he tries to read the forum and actually speaks to people at the ground instead of being so aloof and arrogant

There have been far too many distractions, although that's no excuse, we just need a period of stability at the club and to concentrate on the football

The only thing that will stabilise the club is if we get a decent manager and Brooks B*****S Off where he came from.
Posted by: Larry, Dorch on 12:10pm Tue 22 Apr 08
I think we should all follow Castrol's suggestion and vote with our feet, hitting Mitchell in the pocket is the only thing that will make him take any notice of us.
Posted by: SonofFrankBarton, Dean Court on 7:31pm Tue 22 Apr 08
There doesnt appear to be much difference between Mitchell and Pete Wankleman of MK Franchise. Mitchell appears to think relocating a non-league side 30 miles east is a good idea.

Good job he's not doing this for the money eh? ;-^)
Posted by: marco, portland on 4:36pm Wed 23 Apr 08
I have a great ideawhy dont dorchester fc ground share with portland we could do with the extra cash and the crowd levels are not that different
Posted by: Local, Weymouth on 11:21pm Wed 23 Apr 08
I think ground sharing with Portland is over ambitious. Don't most sides of pub's league standard play on park pitches.
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