2023/24 Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division
CLUB HISTORY 7 of 9

7. 2023/24 Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division


Following the club's promotion to the Surrey County Intermediate League (Western) Premier Division, Dial experienced unprecedented success on and off the field during the 2023/24 season.

Under the managerial guidance of Steve Brown and assistant Matt Bunyan, Dial won 22 of their 26 league fixtures, including a record 11-0 win over Hambledon on 9 September 2023.

Despite losing 2-1 against the University of Surrey (2-1) on 25 November 2023, Dial went on to register an impressive 22-match unbeaten run, which culminated in the club winning its first league title with five games remaining and beating Milford & Witley 4-0 in the final of the Premier Challenge (League) Cup at Woking Park.

Striker Harry Rice scored 41 of Dial's 109 league goals in 26 games, which beat the League's previous scoring record of 34 in 26 games from the 2015/16 season. In total, Rice netted 49 times for Dial in 33 league and cup appearances; a return of 1.48 goals per game, which was higher than Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi's remarkable 91-tally in 69 (1.32 gpg) competitive fixtures for Barcelona and Argentina during the 2011/12 season.

Dial also beat Thames United 3-2 to reach the semi-final of the Surrey FA Saturday Intermediate County Cup, only to be eliminated from the competition due to two players' unforeseen ineligibility.

The club's success during the 2023/24 season brought about renewed media interest too, with Dial featuring in both the regional and national press, coupled with a notable increase in membership and social media followers.

Dial also agreed a new three-year ground-share agreement with Chertsey Town, providing the option to remain at Alwyns Lane until Spring 2027.