FORMER Dorchester Town skipper Kevin Hill has turned down a switch to Weymouth in favour of a move to fellow Zamaretto Premier Division outfit Tiverton Town.

Hill’s decision is another huge blow for Terras’ manager Ian Hutchinson who has also seen a deal to bring ex-player-manager Matty Hale back to the Bob Lucas Stadium hit the buffers due to work commitments.

It will also be of no consolation to Hutchinson to know that the main reason that Tivvy are at the front of the queue for Hill is merely timing.

The ex-Magpie, who was hoping to tie up his proposed move to Ladysmead last night, told Echosport yesterday: “I was half tempted to go to Weymouth. When I played against them for Dorchester in pre-season I was impressed. They knocked the ball around well and the only reason we beat them was fitness.

“They have a lot of young lads there and could do with a bit of experience but unfortunately Tivvy spoke to me first.

“To be honest not everything is done and dusted yet and if it does not work out I could end up calling Ian Hutchinson back.

“He comes across as a really nice guy but I am a man of my word and after having told Tivvy I would help them out I cannot go back on that.”

Hutchinson reckons geographical factors also played a part in the Devon-based player’s final decision.

He said: “Tivvy have obviously got in there just a bit quicker than us and the fact they are based 10 minutes from his front door is probably another reason as well.

“It is totally frustrating at the moment and to be honest I don’t think I am going to have any hair left soon. But we will keep going and keep looking.

“Other names have been banded about like Byron Napper but that is not the type of player we are currently looking for. We are after a bit of experience and Kevin and Matty would have been ideal.

“But one has decided to go elsewhere and the other is unable to commit at the moment. Things may change over the next few weeks but in the meantime we have to move on.”

Meanwhile, Hill has praised Dorchester’s “brilliant” fans in the wake of his release from the county town club.

The 34-year-old was axed last week in a bid to lower the wage bill and secure a move for fellow defender Scott Guyett, a decision that sparked an angry response from sections of the Magpies’ faithful, who believed the club were making a mistake letting the ex-Torquay player go.

Hill added: “The fans were brilliant to me and I can only thank them for that. I enjoyed talking to them in the bar after games and they all made me feel very welcome.

“I enjoyed my two years at the club and I wish I had been able to stay longer. It’s a great club with great facilities and in a way it’s a sleeping giant. They just need to make sure the club is stable first and go from there.

“I knew the club was struggling money-wise but me leaving was all done in a fair way and we came to an agreement.

“I wasn’t one of Ashley Vickers’ signings and he had to free up some money so it wasn’t a total surprise as I was one of the big earners.

“It’s one of those things that happens in football. I could have stayed on and sat on my contract but that wouldn't have helped either party as I want to be playing football.”