After such success, the club decided that the first team should join the Western League in season 1973–74 with the second team moving up to the Devon & Exeter Premier Division. At this time, the town of Dawlish had two other senior Saturday sides playing under the banner of AL Dawlish. An agreement was made that AL Dawlish would join Dawlish Town and with two Sunday senior teams running from 1983 to 1990, the senior playing strength of the club was considerable. In the 1970s Dawlish ran a Youth team with their first honours being the Bevin Trophy at Under 15 level in season 1973–74 and the Devon Youth Cup at Under 18 level in season 1975–76. A full Youth Section was formed in 1983 and under its separate committee, five teams represented the club in various age groups. 1989 was one of their best years with the Under 14s not only winning their league, but also their League Cup final at Torquay United's Plainmoor ground. Youth football continues to flourish within the town and is under the banner of Dawlish United Youth & Mini Soccer.