Dial Square F.C.

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

History

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. 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. 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.

Despite initial plans to apply for entry into the Combined Counties Football League, Dial joined the Guildford & Woking Alliance League for their first league campaign in 2020–21. 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. In April 2021, Dial Square received an increase in membership following protests against the proposed European Super League.

2020–21: Inaugural season

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, 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. 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. 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.

2021–22: First full season and promotion

Realignment of divisions within the Guildford & Woking Alliance League saw Dial Square in the Premier Division for 2021–22. The season opened with a 2–7 win at Farncombe that saw Mark Watkins score the club's first hat trick plus a fourth goal, all in the first half. 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 fourteen, won nine, drawn three, and lost three; this finish earned 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.

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

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.

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

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. 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. Rice went on to score 49 goals (in 33 games) in all competitions (41 league goals). Dial also won the Premier Challenge (League) Cup after beating Milford & Witley 4–0 in the final on 2 May 2024 at Woking Park. In total, Dial lost once in 33 league and cup games and scored 136 goals (109 in the league).

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. 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

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.

Fans' ownership

On 12 July 2023, the club 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.

Honours

Dial Square's honours include the following:

League
*Woking & Guildford Alliance League (Level 14 / Step 10) - Runners-Up (2021–22)
*Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Division One (Level 13 / Step 9) - Runners-Up (2022–23)
*Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division (Level 12 / Step 8) - Champions (2023–24)
Cup
*Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Challenge Cup - Winner (2023–24)

Records

*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)
*Most appearances - George Lawrence (60)
*Fastest hat-trick - Jordan Carter, 5 minutes (49, 52, 54) v Hambledon (A) (30 Mar. 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: 4 May 2024

References

{{Arsenal F.C.

Football clubs in Surrey
Arsenal F.C.
Association football clubs established in 2020
2020 establishments in England
Fan-owned football clubs in England