DORCHESTER Town have announced a new under-18s team for the 2021/22 season.

Competing in the Hampshire Combination and Development League on Sundays, the squad forms an important part of the Magpies' player development pathway.

Dorchester are aiming for young players to come up through their centre of excellence and go onto the under-18s and under-23s before stepping into the first team.

Players such as Tom Blair and Ben Morris have taken the journey from youth teams to first XI football with the Magpies.

Trials for the squad will take place at the Avenue Stadium on Tuesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 17 from 7-9pm.

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Dorchester chairman Scott Symes told the club's website: "The U18s is part of the DTFC player pathway and the objective is to create a positive but challenging environment for all individuals who are involved.

"The pathway will provide the opportunity for teams of local talented players to play a high standard of football whilst they continue their football journeys to ultimately play in the U23s and the DTFC first team or progress into the professional game.

"The programme is for players of 16 to 18 years of age that we identify as having potential to progress.

"The pathway will develop technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of an individual’s game and will allow members of staff within our coaching and management teams the opportunity to work with individuals over an extended period of time.

"In addition it will provide a clear player pathway from youth football to the adult game and will form an integral part of the clubs ability to create a flourishing sustainable first team."

Parents and guardians of interested players must email their names and addresses, date of birth, current team, playing position and parent contact details to office@dorchestertown.co.uk