CHAIRMAN Malcolm Curtis heralded a fresh era at the launch of the new brand of Weymouth Football Club at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The media presentation unveiled the club's new crest and underlined the Terras' objective to reach out to a wider audience in the community.

The contemporary crest, which is the brainchild of marketing specialists Fireworx, has retained the historic ship of the previous badge but also includes the club's new motto Forward Together'.

It was also the most popular design in a public vote held in the Dorset Echo.

Curtis said: "After consulting fans, it's great that we now have a new motto and crest that both celebrate the history of Weymouth Football Club and take us into the 21st century, recognising what we are doing now.

"I think the chosen crest will look fantastic on the new strip next season and will also demonstrate the togetherness at the heart of the club."

Manager John Hollins, assistant manager Alan Lewer and chief executive Gary Calder were also in attendance at the meeting.

Calder added: "The future of Weymouth Football Club with the new badge, the new motto Forward Together' and the work ethic of John and Alan with the building of a new squad are exciting times for us all."

A crest competition was run in conjunction with the poll in the Dorset Echo and last night the club announced the winners as Lee Jones, Louis Sackville, Mrs M A Shooter, Joshua Clark (Weymouth), Justine Matthews (Pulborough, West Sussex) and Keith Little (Winterslow, Salisbury).

All six will receive a new Terras' home shirt at the beginning of the forthcoming campaign.