I WAS disappointed to pick up the Dorset Echo and find the headline Magpies withdraw' - this referred to our county town football club withdrawing their reserve team from the Dorset Premier League (previously called the Dorset Combination).

I have followed and actively supported Dorset League football for 23 years following local Dorchester teams like YMCA, Dorchester United and latterly when United folded, Dorchester Town Reserves.

Can anyone tell me what happened to all the local players from the Dorchester teams who are no longer in existence and what happens to local lads now who have a bit of talent and want to play local football at a good level.

There seems to be plenty of youth football in the town from under-tens all the way up to under-18s.

So what happens when they are 18?

I believe there are only two local teams in Dorchester now - Broadmayne and Kangaroos and with no disrespect to either of them, the first teams of YMCA and Dorchester United in their heyday were far superior, but now they and their respective reserve teams have gone.

I do not know where Dorchester Town are coming from.

The article stated the club will be playing a number of reserve friendly games during the course of the season - against whom?

What will this prove?

Anyone who follows football knows that there is nothing better than playing in a good strong competitive local league on a weekly basis to nurture talent. This has now gone.

What will the supporters of the Town reserve team do now every other Satur-day because although they did not necessarily follow the team to away games, there was a good nucleus who supported the reserves for home games.

Dave Simpson Dorchester