Sue Hough, MBE

Chief Executive

Trained to be a teacher of Physical Education, a career I pursued for 22 years. Became HofD in a large comprehensive school – notable achievements introducing both GCSE and A Level PE into the curriculum. Whilst teaching involved in grassroots football both as a Club and League Official.  Left teaching to assume the role of Women’s Football Co Ordinator at the FA in 1993. This was when the FA assumed responsibility for Women’s Football.  Came back to work in Dorset FA and was elected to the FA Council in 2000 to represent Women’s Football.

Chief Executive of Dorset FA since 2005.

When I joined the FA Council I was the only female on a Council membership of nearly 100. 

Set myself several long-term ambitions on the Council and I am pleased to say I have achieved them all: 

Member of UEFA Women’s Committee and have served as a UEFA Delegate

Member of the National Game Board

FA Director – one of three from a 70 member strong NG Representatives 

Chair of the Women’s Football Board

Chair of the National Game Board  

Dave Drew

Dorset FA Chair

I am Dorset born and bred, and my working life was entirely in the local "people" services within Dorset County Council,  in the Social Services and Education Departments, before 25 years in the Dorset Probation Service.

After playing for school and youth teams in Weymouth, my participation in the game continued in adult football playing for Piddlehinton Utd in the Dorset League. 

My involvement in youth football as a adult began with helping out with my son's team, Dorchester Cosmos F.C in the early 1990s,  and followed the familiar path from helper to Assistant Team Manager,  then Manager. I was a member of the Cosmos Committee that transferred the club to become the youth section of Dorchester Town F.C.

When my son finished youth football I continued coaching youth teams in turn at Dorchester, Weymouth and Milborne St Andrew, and finally back at Dorchester until 2013.  During the latter coaching years I also undertook various administrative roles including Under 10 League secretary for DCFA mini-soccer; Club Secretary at Weymouth Youth; and a League Secretary within Dorset Youth League from 2011 to the present. 

I became the Youth League Vice Chairman in 2018 and have been Chairman from 2019 to date. I was a DCFA Council Member from 2013 to 2021; being Deputy Chairman from 2019, and have Chaired the DCFA Development Committee from 2014 to date. I became a Board Member in 2019 and Chair of the Board in 2022.

Chris Charlton

Dorset FA Vice-Chair

Andy Mercer

Dorset FA Director

I have been a member of Dorset FA for the past 19 years; I originally joined the DCFA Council as a representative of youth football and later became a vice president, a position I still hold. I have been a director since 2013, and as the "Board Champion" I have particular responsibility for equality, diversity and safeguarding.  I am a longstanding member of Verwood Town Football Club, and a season ticket holder at Southampton FC.

My background is in mental health nursing; I worked in clinical roles in Dorset and Wiltshire prior to taking up an academic role at Bournemouth University over 20 years ago. I am currently the professional lead for mental health and learning disability at the University, and also work as a visitor with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.

David McWilliam

Dorset FA Independent Director

I am a Solicitor and Partner at Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP in Bournemouth. I am Head of the Personal Injury and Sports Law Departments. I have been with Ellis Jones since 1995. 

In 2019, I successfully completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Sports Law at Leicester De Montfort University and advise clients on a wide range of sporting issues including disciplinary matters, regulation, contracts and sponsorship agreements. Since October 2019, I have sat as an Independent Disciplinary Panel Member at Dorset FA and in July 2020 was appointed as a Panel Member on the FA Serious Case Panel. Since November 2019, I have been a Games Programme Monitor for the EFL.

I played football for New Milton at Hampshire League and Highcliffe before my playing days were ended after breaking my leg in a game. I now cycle and spend most of my spare time on a poolside watching my 2 daughters swim for Christchurch Seagulls Swimming Club of which I am the Chairman. I joined the Dorset FA Board in September 2021 as a Non-Executive Director. 

Elizabeth Thomas 

Dorset FA Independent Director

My football career took off in 1997 with a scholarship to build a strong Academy and coach women's football in Washington DC, USA, having gained the UEFA B License.

The Academy focused on football at grassroots level for boys and girls and creating a pathway to play competitively until the age of 17/18 when college came knocking. I also worked as a coach with 2 girls’ teams, one under 11 and one under 13. The former was new to grassroots football and the latter were in Division 1 looking to become state Champions.

Within 3 years, the under 11 team became Regional Cup Winners and the under 13 became State Champions. To date, the under 11 team is still my greatest personal achievement above all others as this is where I learned how to build a fun and winning team who had never played football, how to develop players individually and collectively and to be an empowering leader, all skills I then took to the corporate world. I am a creative, dynamic, and agile C Level leader who is passionate about strategy, execution, and performance. I am also a certified Business Executive Coach, coaching over 8,000 Executives & Teams covering strategy & execution, conflict resolution, leadership, presenting with impact, collaboration, alignment, transforming meetings and Health and Wellbeing.

When not working, I love spending time in nature with my partner Frederic and our dog Yuzu, I practice daily yoga and meditation and I am learning how to play golf with the help of a coach.

Geoff Theobald

Dorset FA Director

I retired in 2012, having worked in the printing industry for 48 years. Latterly as Origination Manager for a number of national publications. I joined the DCFA Board in 2017, and have recently been awarded the ‘FA 50-Year Award’ in recognition of 50+ years as a player and volunteer. 

My adult football career began in 1965 when I joined Bournemouth Times FC, playing in Dorset League Division 4NE. The following season I joined Wimborne Town FC, remaining with the Club for 22 years. The last 10 years as Club Secretary.  After standing down as Secretary of the Magpies in 1988, I applied to become Secretary of the Dorset Combination League (now known as the Dorset Premier League), taking up the role in 1989, and holding it for 20 years. Stepping down in 2009 to become League Chairman for the next five years. 

In 1992 I became the League’s representative on Council, becoming a Life-Member in 2012, Chairman of Council in 2019 and Life Vice-President in 2021. During my time on Council I have Chaired a number of Committees: County Cup, Disciplinary, Rules Revision and currently the Governance Committee. As well as being qualified to Chair Disciplinary Commissions. 

I am also a Life Member of Wimborne Town FC and a Life Vice-President of the DPL. 

Nigel Saxon

Independent Non-executive Director 

I joined the Dorset FA Board in July 2021. I played at grass roots level from school age until my early thirties and I supported my son on his journey from Poole Town Rovers as an eight year old, through to five years in the AFC Bournemouth elite academy. I am also a long-term season ticket holder at the Cherries. 

The last fifteen years of my career have been in senior level marketing and communications roles, delivering digital marketing campaigns and ecommerce website projects across both the not-for-profit and financial services sectors. Prior to that I was the general manager of an international logistics company. 

Steve Whittle

Dorset FA Director

I started with the Dorset County FA in 1974 when I passed as a referee & registered as a DCFA referee. I Refereed for 25 years including 16 years as an Assistant Referee on the Southern Football League.  In 1979 I took on the role of Dorset FA Referee training officer & joined the DCFA Council. I had previously qualified as a FA Licensed Instructor. In 1987 I stepped down from the roll of Training officer for personal reasons.

I Retained my seat on the DCFA Council by taking on the Dorset Mini Soccer Representative position. Since being on the DCFA Council I have been on the Referees, Development, County cup, County Match , Disciplinary  Committee & Dorset Mini Soccer League of which I am still Chair. I have been Chair of both the Referees & Development Committees & also act as Chair on Disciplinary Commissions. 

I have been a Member of the Board since 2007 when I became Vice Chairman of Council & served as Chairman of Council from 2013-2019. I have Represented the Dorset County Football Association as representative on the FA Council since 2009. 

Wendy Toms

Dorset FA Senior Independent Director

I had 27 yrs with Parcelforce, starting as a agency driver in 1991 and built my way to the top position, as Operations Manager. Running the depot, which covers the whole of Dorset.  

Again, many achieve at Parcelforce. Top depot for delivery service, hitting budget target set by the business, Top depot for Health and Safety. Retired in 2018 for a rest. 

I have been involved within the field of refereeing and football for the past four decades. I have built my skills to a professional level from playing football from a youth level and all the way up to 1st division women’s football. When I then took up refereeing in 1984 in Cyprus.  I then returned home to Dorset in 1986 and took up my career as a referee, going from Dorset leagues to becoming the first woman referee or an assistant on most leagues. Until I reached the football league as an assistant referee in 1993 and then in 1997 become an assistant Referee in the Men’s Premier League.  

In 1995 I become the First Fifa woman referee from England to make the international list. Retired in 2007 and become an Observer/Delegate in 2008 to present with uefa.  Also, I become an instructor for FIFA in 2010 to 2016.

In 2018, I become the senior referee coach for the women referee on the WSL to present.   

Independent Director 2019 with Dorset FA .