AFTER 30 years out of the county's top league, Dorchester United just can't wait to play their first Elite Teamwear Dorset Premier League game against Westlands Sports at their Sandringham Sports Centre ground on Saturday.

Pitch-side improvements at the Dorchester sports centre - including a fixed perimeter rail and covered area for 50 spectators - were completed by contractors Blacknoll Ltd in time to meet the August 1 deadline imposed by the league and now it's all systems go for United.

"It's been a long hard struggle to get back into the Premier League with plenty of setbacks along the way so we're determined to enjoy the occasion," said manager Kevin Hillier.

"We know we are in for some difficult games and Westlands will be one of them. But that is what we fought so hard for and I am confident that we will hold our own with a lot of the teams in the division."

United have received a 73 per cent grant of £2,500 from the Football Stadia Improve-ment Fund to help pay for the new barrier with the remainder and the cost of the spectators' accommodation being raised by the club.

Hillier's plans to strengthen the squad which won the Dorset Senior League last season haven't gone quite to plan with former Portland United captain Nigel Evans being coaxed away by Bridport after being an ever-present at United's training sessions.

"That was a bit disappointing after we had helped him get fit again," said Hillier. "But he said Bridport had made him an offer that was financially too good to turn down."

However former Dorchester Reserves skipper Robbie Taylor has joined United who have also added five leading players from the now defunct Badger Sports to their squad.

"Apart from Regan Churchill and Richard Drake most of our squad are 25 and under and they will be very

fit after good pre-season training sessions and three friendlies," he said. "We won't be over-awed by anyone."

United are not short of sponsors either after fulfilling their aim to achieve Premier League status.

"Quite a few people we approached in previous years said they would sponsor us if we got into the Elite Teamwear so I've been round calling in a few promises," said Hillier.

"The Victoria Hotel, SK Scaffolding, Snappy Pizza Takeaway, Shaun Hearn Roofing, Dorchester Timber, Weatherbury Roofing, The Station pub and the Imperial Dragon Chinese Takeaway have all come up with the goods. Dorchester Town Council have also been very supportive over the work we had to do at Sandringham and we're very grateful for that."