DORCHESTER Sports have their eyes on the Dorset Premier League title and promotion to step 6 of the National League system

A club that has not even been around for two decades, the rise of Dorchester Sports is quite remarkable.

Started as a ‘group of friends wanting to play football,’ Ashley James’ side are now on the cusp of moving from grassroots to non-league football.

There is no automatic promotion from the Dorset Premier League (DPL), instead clubs have to apply to join the National League System, which is part of the football pyramid that leads all the way to the Premier League.

It has now been confirmed, with Sports sitting atop the league, that the club has applied to be promoted.

Sports manager, James, said: “It’s a massive decision and over December we decided it was the right one to make so we applied to go up.”

Alongside the Dorchester club, Holt United, Blandford United and Swanage Town & Herston FC have also applied to be promoted.

However, only one club will be promoted and this effectively means the four clubs are in a mini league of their own.

James is not worried about that though as the focus is winning the league outright.

He added: “I want to win the league and the cup I’m greedy.

“We have six league games left and a semi final and then hopefully a final but they are all cup finals now. We can’t afford to drop points.”

Sports will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Hamworthy Recreation and Sturminster Newton who were promoted from the DPL in recent seasons and are now thriving.

He added: "We can see teams from the DPL can go up and do well and hopefully we will do well if we get a chance to go up.

“If we can match those teams it would be one hell of an achievement if and when that happens.”

James never expected the would reach the heights they have so far and also praised his backroom staff

“When I took over 18 years ago, I didn’t think we would still be going,” the Dorchester Sports boss added.

“We were just a bunch of mates who started a team and now we are on the brink of step 6 football.

"To do it in 18 years would be massive achievement.

“The difference (this season) is having a really good squad of football players.

"Rob Robson coming in in the summer has to take a lot of accolades as well as Ryan Dovell and Charlie Moore - it's been the four of us.

He added: "With the players we have added and the experience that was already on top of youth players coming through it is all really positive.

Sports will face struggling Wimborne Town Reserves later today at 3pm.