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Dial Square F.C.

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Dial Square F.C.
Full nameDial Square Football Club
Nickname(s)The Dial
Founded7 January 2020; 4 years ago (7 January 2020)[1][2]
GroundAlwyns Lane
Chertsey, Surrey, England
Capacity2,500
ChairmanTony Hurley
ManagerSteve Brown
LeagueSurrey Premier County Football League
Websitehttps://www.dialsquarefc.com

Dial Square Football Club is an English football club based in Chertsey, Surrey. They play in the Surrey Premier County Football League.

History

[edit]
Dial Square's first crest

When Arsenal F.C. were founded in 1886, they played their first match as Dial Square before becoming Arsenal F.C. and moving to Highbury.[3] In January 2020, Arsenal fan Stuart Morgan, a former director of Camberley Town, founded Dial Square as a breakaway club following protests and disillusionment with the route Arsenal's American owner Stan Kroenke had been taking the club in, as well as perceived poor results.[4] The club announced they had agreed a groundshare agreement with Abbey Rangers F.C. in Addlestone, Surrey, for their first season, but stated that their long-term goal would be to move the club to a purpose built ground in Woolwich, where Arsenal were originally founded, and to eventually reach the English Football League.[4]

Despite initial plans to apply for entry into the Combined Counties Football League,[5] Dial joined the Guildford & Woking Alliance League for their first league campaign in 2020–21.[6] Burgundy was adopted as the colour of the club’s home shirt in reference to Arsenal’s original colours, while the sundial and oaks featured in the crest referred to the Royal Oak pub in which Arsenal were originally founded.[3] In April 2021, Dial Square received an increase in membership following protests against the proposed European Super League.[6]

2020–21: Inaugural season

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Dial Square played their first season in the Guildford & Woking Alliance League Premier Division (North). The club's first match, played 26 September 2020, was a 0–4 loss to Worplesdon Phoenix,[7] followed a week later by the club's first draw, 4–4 against Virginia Water Development. The club's first goal was scored in this game by Lewis Afflick.[8] The first victory for Dial Square came on 17 October 2020 when George Holland scored in the 90th minute to beat Chertsey Old Salesians 2–1.[9] Three losses followed before league play was suspended. Dial concluded their inaugural season having played six, won one, drawn one, and lost four of their opening fixtures.[10]

2021–22: First full season and promotion

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Realignment of divisions within the Guildford & Woking Alliance League saw Dial Square in the Premier Division for 2021–22. The season opened with a 7-2 away win at Farncombe, which saw Mark Watkins score the club's first hat-trick plus a fourth goal, all in the first half.[11] After a defeat at Laleham & Kempton FC, Dial Square went on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions before another defeat to Laleham & Kempton on 11 December, but lost only once more in the league on their way to a second place finish behind Laleham & Kempton, having played 14, won nine, drawn three, and lost three, earning the club promotion to the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Division 1. In the Surrey County FA Saturday Junior Cup, Dial Square won four matches and advanced to the semi-finals of the competition before losing 2–1 at home to R.C. Old Boys.[12]

2022–23: Surrey County Intermediate Football League - Division One

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In only their second full season, Dial gained consecutive promotion from Surrey County Intermediate Football League (Western) Division One to the Premier Division for the 2023–24 season. The club won nine of its 14 league fixtures, drawing three and losing two to finish runners-up to Laleham & Kempton.[13]

2023–24: Surrey County Intermediate Football League - Premier Division

[edit]
Dial Square F.C. - 2023–24 Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division Champions

On 2 April 2024, Dial beat Knaphill Athletic 4–1 at Alwyns Lane to secure their first league title and gain promotion to the Surrey Premier County Football League with five league games remaining. The club secured three consecutive promotions in their first three full playing seasons since being formed in 2020.[14] On the same night, Dial striker Harry Rice also broke the League scoring record (held since 2015–16) after netting his 35th-goal (in 21 games) of the season.[citation needed] Rice went on to score 49 goals (in 33 games) in all competitions (41 league goals).[citation needed] Dial also won the Premier Challenge (League) Cup after beating Milford & Witley 4–0 in the final on 2 May 2024 at Woking Park.[15] In total, Dial lost once in 33 league and cup games and scored 136 goals (109 in the league).[16]

Ground

[edit]
Chertsey Town F.C. ground

On 3 April 2022, Dial Square announced it had secured a one-year groundshare agreement with Isthmian Football League side, Chertsey Town. After a successful first year, Dial extended their groundshare at Alwyns Lane for the 2023–24 season.[17] In March 2024, Dial signed a new three-year ground share agreement with The Curfews, which would extend their stay at Alwyns Lane until Spring 2027.

National Accreditation

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On 10 November 2023, Dial received England Football Accreditation after the accreditor verified that the club creates an ideal environment to nurture players, coaches and volunteers, while delivering inclusive football for their local community.[18]

Fans' ownership

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On 12 July 2023, Dial Square announced that it would be increasing its share capital by 250,000 to enable registered web-members to apply to purchase shares in the club to support its ongoing development. On 19 October 2023, the club reported that fans had purchased 190,000 new shares during the six-week application window.[19]

On 18 July 2024, the club announced members could apply to purchase 1,000 or more shares following an increase in the company's share capital. Applications were made for 440,000 shares over the six-week window and registered with Companies House.

Honours

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Dial Square's honours include the following:

League

  • Woking & Guildford Alliance League (Level 14 / Step 10) - Runners-Up (2021–22)[20]
  • Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Division One (Level 13 / Step 9) - Runners-Up (2022–23)[21]
  • Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division (Level 12 / Step 8) - Champions (2023–24)[22]

Cup

  • Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Challenge Cup - Winner (2023–24)

Records

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  • Biggest league win - 11–0 v Hambledon (H) (9 Sept. 2023)
  • Biggest cup win - 9–2 v Barnes (A) (7 Oct. 2023)
  • Leading goalscorer - Harry Rice (49 goals in 33 League & Cup appearances) - 2023/24 season
  • All-time leading goalscorer - Harry Rice (58 goals in 42 League & Cup appearances)
  • Most appearances - George Lawrence (69)
  • Fastest hat-trick - Harry Rice, 4 minutes 42 seconds (84, 86, 88) v Battersea Ironsides (A) (28 Sept. 2024);
  • Oldest ever player - Ian Selley, 47 years 129 days (v Horsley Reserves, 23 Oct. 2021)
  • Youngest ever player - Callum Fitzsimons, 17 years 129 days (v Worplesdon Phoenix Reserves, 8 Jan. 2022)

Last updated: 19 October 2024

References

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  1. ^ "DIAL SQUARE FOOTBALL CLUB LTD". Companies House. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  2. ^ "'Dial Square Football Club Ltd' Incorporation Letter" (PDF). Dial Square F.C. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b McNicholas, James. "Exclusive: Disgruntled Arsenal fans to launch breakaway phoenix club based in Surrey – Dial Square FC". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Dutton, Tom (24 January 2020). "Arsenal fans form breakaway club Dial Square FC based in Surrey". Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Dial Square FC – new good old Arsenal? Disappointed fans form their own club". Tribuna.com. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  6. ^ a b McNicholas, James (25 April 2021). "Arsenal's Super League role leads to flood of applications for 'phoenix club' Dial Square". The Athletic. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  7. ^ "CEESAY SEES RED AS DIAL SQUARE LOSE TO PHOENIX". www.dialsquarefc.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. ^ "8 GOAL THRILLER AS CODRINGTON-MOORE MAKES DEBUT". www.dialsquarefc.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ "SUPER-SUB HOLLAND NETS LAST MINUTE WINNER". www.dialsquarefc.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  10. ^ "Table | Premier Division (North) | Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Match Report: Farncombe 2–7 Dial Square FC". www.dialsquarefc.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  12. ^ "Table | Premier Division | Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League". fulltime.thefa.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  13. ^ "Table | Division 1 | Surrey County Intermediate League (Western)".
  14. ^ "List of association football clubs with multiple consecutive promotions or relegations".
  15. ^ http://sunderland.fawsl.com/displayFixture.html?id=26307262
  16. ^ "Dial Square midfielder Aidan Phillips caps phenomenal double-winning season".
  17. ^ "Fan investment puts Dial Square in spotlight with Arsenal connection". 16 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Discover Football".
  19. ^ "Fan investment puts Dial Square in spotlight with Arsenal connection". 16 May 2024.
  20. ^ "Table | Premier Division | Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League".
  21. ^ "Table | Division 1 | Surrey County Intermediate League (Western)".
  22. ^ "Table | Premier | Surrey County Intermediate League (Western)".
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