AS the Avenue Stadium celebrates its 20th birthday, current boss Ashley Vickers has labelled the Magpies’ home as “the best in the league”.

Dorchester Town made the switch from their old stomping ground – also known as the Avenue – back in the summer of 1990 with Tesco purchasing the remaining land.

The new stadium was designed by Duchy of Cornwall architects, and built by McIntyre Build, with Prince Charles heavily involved in the process.

More than £2million was spent on constructing the new site and the result is one of finest abodes in non-League football.

One man who helped shape the structure is current chairman Shaun Hearn.

“I actually worked on the stadium as I was an apprentice in those days. I remember it well,” explained the county town businessman.

“I was 22 and just buying my trade at the time. The new stadium was like Wembley compared to the old one.

“It’s still a fantastic stadium now, the one shame is we don’t have the social facilities we had at the old ground.

“However, we are looking to change that in the future.”

Looking back at the decision to move home, today’s vice-chairman David Martin said: “It was in the mid-1980s that ground grading became an issue for the FA and the leagues.

“As chairman, Peter Aiken realised that it would not be possible to bring the old ground up to the standard required to stay in the Southern League. He then spoke to the Duchy and a development company, and the development took off from there.”

Club president Stacey Legge added: “We were going to do something off our own back but as soon as the Duchy came in they almost took it over for us, so we were fortunate in that respect.

“We do not pay a massive amount in terms of rent and the Duchy are very good landlords.

“It’s a very good stadium and a well-built one, which a lot of other clubs say is the best in the league.”

Overseeing the switch was the late Peter Aiken, a man held in high regard by Legge.

The latter commented: “He was a great friend of mine and we always used to sit together in church.

“He was one of the best chairmen we’ve ever had but I must say that the current chairman Shaun Hearn is very good as well.”

Vickers was an 18-year-old student at Worcester University when the new stadium was unveiled.

Twenty years on and the former defender feels privileged to take his place in the dugout of such surroundings.

“The ground is probably the best in the league and it’s great to be a part of it,” he said. “It’s such an impressive stadium and a pleasure for anyone to play at, let alone manage the club it belongs to.

“Although it’s a long way to come, a lot of teams do look forward to playing there and they often raise their game.

“The stadium reflects the club and when you talk to the likes of Geoff Dine (physio), Derek Taylor (kitman) and Phil Simkin (assistant-manager) there have been some great times there and a lot of history.

“We want to try and make our own history and bring some success to the club.”

During the first few months of the new tenancy, the Avenue Stadium welcomed star names such as Harry and Jamie Redknapp, Graeme Le Saux, Dennis Wise and Dave Beasant.

The first match played on the new surface saw Exeter City earn a 2-0 win in a pre-season friendly on August 11, 1990.

AFC Bournemouth, then managed by current Tottenham chief Harry Redknapp, came to town two days later and ran out narrow winners, 1-0.

Included in the Cherries’ squad were the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Kevin Bond, Paul Morrell, ex-Terra Shaun Teale, John Williams, Doncaster Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll, Luther Blissett, Efan Ekoku and Matty Holmes, who went on to become a fans’ favourite at Dorchester.

The match itself was refereed by Paul Durkin.

The first competitive match at the stadium was against Worcester City in the Beazer Homes League Premier Division.

A crowd of 1,250 saw the Magpies triumph 3-2 courtesy of a Robbie Taylor brace and a single effort from Colin ‘Harry’ Sayers.

Also in the Dorchester side that day was striker Chris Townsend who, at £12,000, is believed to be the club’s record signing.

Chelsea were the visitors for the official opening of the ground on October 15 and, predictably, it was the First Division outfit who prevailed, 4-1 in front of more than 4,000 spectators.

FA Cup winning goalkeeper Beasant scored a penalty with Kerry Dixon (2) and Kevin McAllister also on target for the Londoners, who also fielded the likes of Le Saux, Wise, Steve Clarke, Frank Sinclair, Craig Burley and former Magpie Graham Roberts.

Replying for the hosts, who went on to finish the season in mid-table, was Sayers.

The first side to defeat the Magpies in a competitive game at the new ground was Atherstone United, who came away with a 2-1 victory on November 24, 1990.

The official visit from HRH the Prince of Wales came almost a year later on November 20, 1991 while the highest attendance for a league game stands at 4,129 – a 1-1 draw with rivals Weymouth on New Year’s Day, 1999.

THE AVENUE CURSE

DORCHESTER suffered a disastrous record at home in the 1993/94 campaign, winning just four out of 21 league encounters.

However, the reason for the woeful run was, allegedly, due to a curse imposed by local businessman Dave Green over grievances with the Duchy of Cornwall.

In view of the revelation, club chaplain Rev David Fayle blessed the Avenue Stadium pitch, and it paid immediate dividends as Dorchester enjoyed a 1-0 home win the very next day against Nuneaton Borough.

FAVOURITE MEMORIES

“I have many wonderful memories over the last 20 years supporting the Magpies, some good, some not so. My favourite memory, however, has to be the last match of the 2002/03 season against King’s Lynn. “We eventually won the game 1-0, and with it the Dr Martens Eastern Division title, just nipping ahead of Eastbourne Borough to win the league as champions on goal difference.

“We scored a record 114 goals that season and the feeling of pride for my club and the team was overwhelming. It was then, and still is now, a great place to be supporting my local team.”

Dave Ring, Supporters Trust secretary

“We have had some amusing moments but probably the one that sticks in many fans’ minds was the repeated failed attempts of Lewes keeper Shaun Wilkerson to stay on his feet while taking goal kicks during a cup tie on a bitterly cold evening.

“There have been some stirring victories over the years, including then chairman Eddie Mitchell’s son, Tom Mitchell, heading the decisive goal against Bromley that ensured Dorchester’s survival on the last day of the 2008/09 campaign.

“But probably the one that tops the pile is the FA Trophy victory in the 2007/08 season over holders Stevenage Borough.

“A replay appeared to be on the cards until Borough conceded a last-minute penalty, which was tucked away by Jon Docker for a sensational win.”

Terry Spracklen, Public announcer and Supporters Club chairman

* See today's Echo for more archive pictures.