PERHAPS understandably, Ashley Vickers has developed a phobia for mankini-wearing streakers.

And no one could blame the 39-year-old after his tangle with a Borat impersonator landed him in hot water with referee David Spain, who failed to see the funny side of the player-manager’s hilarious rugby tackle and dismissed Vickers during an unforgettable encounter with Havant & Waterlooville.

The bizarre incident gained worldwide notoriety and Dorchester’s boss, whose three-match ban was later rescinded, subsequently became a global sensation as hundreds of thousands logged on to YouTube to catch a glimpse of the now infamous takedown.

The Magpies may have boasted victories over Blue Square Bet South champions Braintree Town and runners-up Farnborough during the 2010/11 campaign but the past nine months will always be remembered for Vickers carrying out the role of the ageing and desperately slow Westleigh Park stewards.

In fact, the online phenomenon will arguably be remembered as Vickers’ best-ever challenge, despite the towering defender representing England C during a fine career that has spanned more than two decades.

“Maybe in hindsight it was something I shouldn’t have done,” Vickers told Echosport. “I’ve played for England at semi-pro level and had a good career but I will probably be remembered for that more than anything else.

“Everyone at the club including the chairman Shaun Hearn, David Martin and the rest of the board, were ever so good to me and I’m extremely grateful.

“My employers Westfield Arts College were also great at a difficult time and I appreciate it. We all make mistakes and we’re all fallible, but if I ever see a streaker again I won’t go anywhere near them.”

For the second successive year, the Magpies ended their Blue Square Bet South challenge in 17th spot, albeit with four points fewer this time out.

Prior to the start of the season, hopes were high within the camp that the county town outfit could reach the dizzy heights of the top six.

However, those dreams never came close to fruition, despite a fine run of form before the turn of the year that saw Dorchester notch 10 wins from 14 outings in all competitions.

Looking back at the last term, Vickers said: “It’s been a rollercoaster with plenty of ups and downs.

“John Still at Dagenham always said do not get too high when you win and do not get too down when you lose.

“We have learned a lot this season as a team, as players, and myself as a manager. It’s invaluable experience and we will benefit from it.

“At the start of the season we were the bookies’ favourites to go down, and we intended to prove people wrong.

“However, we lost our first four games and picked up just two points from our first eight. But to respond the way we did, and for the lads not to lose faith, is testament to their character.

“We don’t have time for prima donnas, we just get on with the task in hand. Football can be a real kick in the teeth but all you can do is bounce back.

“We did and we were at the top of the form guide before Christmas. We all had high hopes but the bad weather and the subsequent break killed us.

“We trained so hard during the break and it was like another pre-season, but perhaps in hindsight it was a little too hard – but I will learn from that.

“We had our first game back against Weston and we dominated it. We couldn’t find a way through and they nicked a goal near the end, which took a lot out of us psychologically.

“We then had another awful run but we showed great belief again. We brought Andy Harris in to help with the organisational side of things and in the end we lost just two of our last 10 games.

“During the season we beat the top two in the league and we produced some good performances against everyone. We are a hard-working side, we create a lot of chances but we struggle with a cutting edge, which is a void we are trying to fill.

“We will also have a reserve team next year, which is great, and hopefully a bright future awaits.”

The past campaign did bear the club’s first piece of silverware since 2007 thanks to a 6-2 victory over rivals Weymouth in the Dorset Senior Cup final.