YEOVIL Town will kick off the new Football season at Dorchester's Avenue Stadium, Echosport can reveal today.

The FA Umbro Trophy holders have agreed to groundshare with the Magpies while their Huish Park pitch is relaid.

The move, which has been sanctioned by both the Nationwide Conference and Dr Martens Leagues, means another major cash windfall for the county town club, who last year played host to Football League neighbours AFC Bournemouth while the new Fitness First Stadium was being built.

Dorchester chairman Eddie Belt said: "We have been in negotiations with Yeovil for a while now and I'm delighted that the deal has finally been done. The plan is for them to come and play their pre-season friendlies at the Avenue and four or five Conference games.

"The date for their contractors to be out of Huish Park is September 21, although we've agreed that deadline can be flexible either way."

He added: "When Yeovil first approached us to say they had problems we were only too glad to

listen. We got our heads together and talked about what best suited them and it's going to be a big honour for Dorchester to host Conference football next season.

"Obviously we learned a great deal from our experiences with Bournemouth last season and our directors and staff will be calling on all their experience to help ensure a smooth transition for Yeovil's players, fans and officials.

"Playing host to the FA Umbro Trophy holders will be a brilliant coup and everyone is looking forward to welcoming them to the Avenue Stadium."

Mr Belt declined to release details of the rent involved, but confirmed it was 'much' lower than that paid by the Cherries.

"It represents a big boost to Dorchester's coffers," he said, "but obviously it's not in the same league as the Bournemouth deal. But every little helps at our level of the game and it does guarantee that manager Mark Morris has at least the same budget to play with next season."

Yeovil chairman John Fry revealed that the number of games played at Dorchester will depend on how quickly the new Huish Park pitch beds down.

He added: "I know all our supporters want to see the pitch re-laid and I am sure they will bear with us until we can return to Huish Park. We are very grateful for the co-operation of Dorchester Town FC in making these arrangements."

Full details of Yeovil's pre-season friendlies will be announced at the end of June.