Pre-Season Preview

Wimborne Town FC | 03 July 2026 | Copy link
It’s been nine weeks, six days and 22 hours without our live footie fix, but on Saturday the boys are back in town. We last saw them in action at the Wyatt Homes Stadium in that thrilling 3-3 draw with Bracknell. Since then, Ajani, Alex, Drew, Harry, Joe, Rafa and Sam have moved on, Ethan and Oscar have returned to their parent clubs, while Harvey and three exciting young, but experienced, players have joined us: Cam, Charlie and Fin. There’s likely to be a couple of trialists trying to catch manager Tim Sills’ eye, while the boss will also be checking on the progress of some of the Academy students.

 

Admission for games at The Wyatt Homes Stadium: Adults: £5; concessions: £3; U18s £1; accompanied U13s FREE; Season Ticket holders: FREE.

The Portland United and Christchurch games will be played on the 3G pitch, and are FREE for all spectators.

 

Wimborne Town vs Portland United - Saturday 4th July, 3pm
  • Having won the Wessex Premier play-off last April, Kyle Critchell’s “Blues” are embarking on their first-ever season at Step 4 in the Southern League Division One South, joining Dorchester, Shaftesbury and Weymouth as Dorset’s representatives in that division.
  • Last season The Blues also had a terrific run in the Dorset Senior Cup: winning at Poole 2-0, and Shaftesbury 4-3, before drawing 1-1 at Dorch only to lose the semi-final 4-5 on penalties.
  • The manager has retained most of his squad from last season, adding Wimborne “fans’ favourite” defender Alex Borges and attacker Conner Bent to his 22-man squad. One to watch is 19-year old shot-stopper Harry Foden who recently kept a clean-sheet on his international debut for the British Virgin Islands.
  • Will Portland’s mascot “Billy” put in an appearance?

 

Wimborne Town vs Christchurch – Tuesday 7th July 2026, 7:30pm – Gerry Page Trophy
  • One of the highlights of our pre-season schedule is this fixture in honour of Gerry Page who was Chairman of Christchurch for 20 years until his death in 1994, and a great friend of WTFC. The following pre-season, team managers Nick Jennings and Alex Pike put up a trophy to be played for annually between the two clubs. Apart from the Covid years, this match has been a regular fixture. Last July Wimborne retained the trophy, winning 2-1.
  • Christchurch finished 15th of 20 in Wessex Premier in 2025-26 scoring 67 goals from their 38 games. Manager Brad Gale’s squad includes free-scoring Addwell Chipangura.

 

Verwood Town vs Wimborne Town – Tuesday 14th July, 7:45pm – Steve Moore Memorial Trophy
  • Another staple in our pre-season fixtures, this one honours the memory of former player Steve who died ten years ago after a brave fight against cancer.
  • Last season The Potters finished 15th of 18 in the Dorset Premier League – Wimborne Reserves were 11th.
  • The Magpies retained the trophy last season winning 5-1.
  • Ground: Potterne Park, Verwood BH21 6RS

 

Wimborne Town vs Salisbury – Saturday 18th July 2026, 3pm
  • Brian Dutton’s “Whites” earned promotion to National League South by winning on penalties at Totton in the 2023-24 Southern League Premier South play-off final. They are gradually consolidating their Step 2 status after finishing one point above the relegation zone in 2024-25, and 17th of 24 last season with an average attendance at the “Ray Mac” of just over 1,000.
  • Dutton’s summer signings include forward Robbie Gallagher from Basingstoke, and defender Harry Thomas who made 13 appearances for The Magpies in the closing weeks of last season, and scored that dramatic volleyed late equaliser against Bracknell on the final day.

 

Wimborne Town vs Maidenhead United – Saturday 25th July, 3pm
  • Tim Sills’ team face their second National South opposition in eight days with a first-ever visit of Maidenhead. After eight seasons in the National League, in 2024-25 The Magpies were relegated to National South by one point. Last season, with Ryan Peters moving into the hot seat after Alan Devonshire’s resignation in November, Maidenhead squeezed into the last play-off spot on goal difference only to lose in the play-off quarter-final.
  • Peters’ summer signings include a number of exciting attackers with goal-scoring reputations.

 

Shaftesbury vs Wimborne Town – Tuesday 28th July, 7:45pm
  • After finishing fifth in the regular season, The Rockies lost out 2-3 in the Southern League Premier South play-off final at Malvern. New manager Josh Staunton has been busy over the summer; his recruits include midfielder Cameron Murray, forward Dawid Regula, and keeper Alex Rutter to join familiar names Harry Baker, Jack Hoey, Harry Morgan, and Sonny Pike.
  • Ground: Cockrams SP7 8PF.

 

Wimborne Town vs AFC Bournemouth U18s – Saturday 1st August, 3pm
  • Wimborne complete their pre-season by hosting our Premier League neighbour’s talented Under 18s. Last season we had a couple of players on loan from this squad: ‘keeper Kai Crampton, and midfielder Ethan Sills who both impressed, and who can forget Ethan’s goal at Poole! It will be a great opportunity for WTFC supporters to spot stars of the future, and to have a last look at Tim’s team before the season proper starts on 8th August.