Senior stars, on and off the pitch!

After their Walking Football side won their county competition to cruise into the regional finals of the FA's Peoples Cup in Bristol, life vice president Eileen Aplin was invited onto the pitch at the Avenue Stadium on Saturday for a special presentation before the Magpies lost 4-0 to Slough Town in the EVO-STIK League Southern's top flight.

A supporter for the last 70 years who rarely misses a home match, the 86-year-old was applauded by fans, players and officials for her devotion before receiving a certificate of recognition and a commemorative football signed by every member of the first team squad.

The fan, one of the first three ladies to join Dorset club's official supporters club in 1972 and no stranger to awards as a recipient of a 50 years loyal service medal, was honoured as part of a new drive by the Magpies to recognise their most devoted and loyal fans, young and old.

Dorchester Town community director Allen Knott, who is also leading the campaign to recruit more matchday mascots, told the dorsetecho.co.uk on Wednesday: "Eileen is a shining example. All our supporters can only aspire to be regarded with such respect and admiration."

The FA People’s Cup, a nationwide five-a-side competition run in partnership with BBC Get Inspired, kicked off in January for the third season since more than 30,000 players of both sexes and all age ranges from U14s to over 50s playing Walking Football took part in 2015.

For more information visit: www.thefa.com/competitions/the-fa-peoples-cup.

Images courtesy of @DorsetCFA & sportsdiaryblog.wordpress.com

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