CLUB HISTORY 3 of 7

3. 2021/22: First Full Season and Promotion


Dial continued in the renamed Guildford & Woking Alliance League Premier Division for the 2021/22 season.

Under the managerial guidance of Simon Martin, Dial opened their campaign with an impressive 7-2 away win against Farncombe on 11 September 2021, with Mark Watkins scoring four of the seven goals in the first half.

On 23 September 2021, Dial announced the signing of former Arsenal midfielder, Ian Selley. The ex-Gunner, who made 42 appearances for the Premier League giants – and won a European Cup Winners' Cup medal following the 1-0 win over Parma in the 1994 final, made his debut for The Dial at the age of 47 in the 6-4 win over Chertsey Old Salesians on 25 September.

Dial went on to register an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions; scoring 29 goals in the process, losing only in the league to Laleham & Kempton and Horsley Reserves. It was enough to see Dial finish runners-up to Laleham & Kempton and secure promotion to the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Division One (level 13/step 9) at the first attempt.

In the same season, Dial reached the semi-finals of the Surrey FA Saturday Junior Cup. However, Martin’s side missed out on a place in the final after losing 2-1 at home to RC Old Boys, who went onto win the competition on penalties.

On 3 April 2022, Dial announced it had secured a one-year groundshare agreement with Isthmian Football League side, Chertsey Town, for the 2022/23 season, bringing an end to a two-season stay at Addlestone Moor.