FORMER AFC Bournemouth forward Steve Fletcher has turned down an offer to join Weymouth.

The 35-year-old held talks with the Blue Square Premier outfit but is believed to have sealed a move elsewhere.

Terras' boss John Hollins is philosophical about losing out on the experienced target man but is delighted to welcome talented defender Adam Bygrave to the club, who put pen to paper on a one-year deal yesterday.

Hollins said: "I am very pleased that we have managed to sign Adam. I saw him play once for Reading against Arsenal and he was on loan at Gillingham last season where he did very well and made 15 appearances.

"He is only 19 and is another product of Reading's youth academy. He is quick and there is no doubt he has a lot of potential.

"When you are associated with a big named club and you do not manage to break through into the first team it does not mean you are a failure it just means you need a little more help.

"Normally those types of players then go out and produce some good performances and get taken on elsewhere and that is why we are here because we are also a business club.

"We would love to sell players on but we have got to get ourselves in that position first.

"We have got a good quality squad coming together with a few older heads and I am pleased with the progress that is being made."

As for missing out on Fletcher, Hollins added: "Steve is moving to another club. He came to us and gave us the opportunity to talk to him but unfortunately a deal has not materialised because he has found a better one elsewhere.

"But that's fine. We have got two or three other targets and that is why it was good that we got a lot of our work done early on.

"A lot of clubs are still releasing players and there is a lot of them out there so there is no need for us to rush or break our necks.

"We have the nucleus of the squad and so far the four of us, my assistant Alan Lewer, chief executive Gary Calder, the chairman Malcolm Curtis and myself, are very happy."

The Terras have also confirmed the dates of five pre-season friendlies.

They will start with their annual trip to Portland United (July 11, 7pm) before hosting League One outfits Bristol Rovers (July 16, 7.30pm) and Yeovil Town (July 18, 7.30pm), and Championship side Southampton (July 22, 7.30pm) at the Wessex Stadium.

A trip to Dorchester Town (August 1, 7.30pm) will then follow but other matches are also in the pipeline.

Calder said: "I am also talking to Ian Hutchinson at Bridport and Chickerell United regarding friendlies and there will be at least two more added to the list."