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Dorset Football League

Introduction to the Dorset Football League

The Dorset Football League was formed for the 2009/2010 season and is affiliated to Dorset County Football Association.

As a very active League we run a Senior League and six additional Adult leagues. We also run two Under 17, two Under 18, a Sunday League comprising Seniors and three other divisions, a Veterans’ League and two Women’s Leagues. .

Please note an important entry in the Standard Code of Rules

Clubs must comply with the provisions of any initiatives of The FA which are adopted by the Competition including, but not limited to, England Football Accredited League and FA Respect programmes.

As an England Football Accredited League this Competition requires all its Clubs to have achieved England Football Accredited Club Status by 1st May 2026.

The League Management Committee may expel any Club that has failed to achieve England Football Accredited Club status. New Member Clubs have One Year to achieve the England Football Accredited Club award. The League has the right to refuse Membership to a Club if it fails to demonstrate commitment to achieving the award. Any Member Club who has their England Football Accredited Club status removed by their relevant County Association will not be able to apply to join the League the following season as they will not meet League Entry requirements. The Club may re apply for their England Football Accredited Club status with their relevant County Association after 12 Months. Teams in the Dorset Football League will be subject to the following Four stage disciplinary process during a playing season.

[This Disciplinary process is a League based initiative and is separate to CFA Disciplinary processes]

STAGE 1 Where a team accumulates 25 penalty points and / or on reaching 4 E Misconduct charges, that team’s Club shall be issued with a warning which may (amongst other things) include details as to how the Club may seek assistance from its Affiliated Association to improve its disciplinary record.

STAGE 2 Where a team accumulates 50 penalty points and / or on reaching 6 E Misconduct charges, that Team’s Club will be called before the LMC and be issued with a Further warning which may (amongst other things) include details as to how the Club has sought assistance from its Affiliated Association to improve its disciplinary record.

STAGE 3 Where a team accumulates 75 penalty points and / or on reaching 8 E Misconduct charges, at this stage; that Team’s Club will be further called before the LMC and must identify further actions that they are taking to improve Discipline including additional assistance from its Affiliated Association. The Club will also be charged in line with League Rule 6 A “Bringing the League into disrepute”

STAGE 4Where a team accumulates 100 penalty points and / or on reaching 10 E Misconduct charges, Additional Action will be taken in Line with League Rule 12C due to their Undesirable Disciplinary record, which may Result in expulsion from the League. The Club will also be further charged in line with League Rule 6 A “Bringing the League into disrepute” The DCFA or Relevant CFA reserve the right to automatically remove the Award for Clubs found guilty of serious infringements (i.e. Assault on the Match Officials) and for Clubs regularly violating League Membership Rules. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a fine in accordance with the Fines Tariff.

Dates for your Diary

Date/Time
Event
Venue
Postcode

With more games being played on 3G pitches please note footwear requirements

Please check our Facebook Page

DFL Substitutes - Rule Clarification
  • Rule 19(F) A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use substitute Players in any Competition Match.
  • A Club may name up to 5 substitute Players of whom not more than 5 may be used. A Player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a Player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of Association Football.
  • Therefore, where a Competition does allow return substitutes, a Club may use up to 5 from 5 substitute Players in a Competition Match.

    • Useful Documents

    Heading Guidance for Youth Football Team Sheet (Updated 9 Sept 2025) Dorset Football League Player Registration Committee Members Expense Form

    Privacy

    We take your privacy very seriously Click Here for our Privacy Notice






























    Geoffrey Pike

    It’s with great sadness that we announce that our President, Geoffrey Pike, passed away on Tuesday 24th February 2026.

    A stalwart of grassroots football for many years Geoff was highly respected for his knowledge and experience, in particular for the Dorset Football League

    Our thoughts are with Pat, Stephen, and all of Geoff’s family at this difficult time.

    Geoff, thank you for your service to football, you will be missed

    Useful Documents to Support Clubs and Volunteers
    Click here for the page Club Accreditation - Click to assist your club to get FA Accreditation

    Volunteer Planning Toolkit - Click for the Guidance

    Do you know of a volunteer who could be rewarded with a two day break

    Suggest a thank you from Dorset County Football Association

    Thank you to Jessica Boyle
    DCFA Club & Volunteer Support Officer

    Click to email Jessica
    TEAM SHEETS
    Please ensure that you give your team sheet to the referee at least 15 minutes before kick off
    If you cannot see the referee then leave the team sheet in their dressing room and take a photograph as proof
    Click to download advice and guidance on registering players

    Dorset Football League Handbook 2025/2026
    Click on the cover for all details

    Please check kits to avoid clashes

    Please would all visiting clubs check the email from their hosts to ensure that there is no clash of kit colours

    As a recent example it is not ideal for a visiting club to play in red when the home team play in orange

    England Football Accreditation
    Click to read the guidance document

    Please note deadline for England Football re-accreditation 30 April

    If you have any questions please contact Jemma Tewkesbury at Dorset FA (01202 688279) or Derek Hansford (01305 268722)

    Piddlehinton United FC has completed their Accreditation - Please feel free to download as a good example

    Accreditation Contacts for other local Leagues

      Somerset:- Rebecca.Snelling@somersetfa.com
      Wiltshire:- accreditation@wiltshirefa.com
      Hampshire:- Max.Humphreys@HampshireFA.com
    Premier League/Football Foundation Defibrillator Fund
    Click here for details of the Defibrillator Fund

    Important Information re Discipline

    At a recent Disciplinary Sub-committee meeting the following procedure was agreed in respect of Rule 20.E.1
    (In the event of a Club failing to keep to its fixture):

    Clubs will be charged and asked to either:

      a - accept the charge
      b - accept the charge and supply mitigation
      c - deny the charge
      d - put their case before the Management Committee

    If the charge is accepted or the supplied mitigation is not accepted by the Discipline Sub-committee the following penalties will be applied:

    Offence
    Penalty
    First Offence
    £60 fine plus one league point deduction
    Second Offence
    £80 fine plus two league points deduction
    Third Offence
    £100 fine plus three league points deduction
    Fourth Offence
    Called to appear before the Management Committee – fine could be as much as the maximum £250 with potential expulsion from the League