WEYMOUTH will need to learn from the lessons of the past if the club is to bounce back from the rollecoaster ride of the past three seasons in the Conference.

On two separate occasions during their latest spell in non-League’s top-flight the Terras were forced to shed their entire squad in a bid to fend off mounting debts, which are now threatening the club’s very existence.

Five managers have also come and gone in that time, along with three different chairmen and a huge array of players and staff proving that stability at the Wessex Stadium continues to seem like a far-off dream.

All those facets have led to the club being relegated back to the Blue Square South along with huge financial problems which, even with careful management, are going to take a long while to subside.

However, under the new regime led by Ian Ridley, one can only hope that a more solid club structure is now in the very early days of being created, one that is based on shrewd financial management and realistic targets.

WFC has seen many false dawns but there is something pure about the current board’s early intentions. And with the support of a committed fan base, who continue to stand by their club despite all the hurt they have suffered, perhaps there is still a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

But a sharp dose of realism will be needed if the club is to bounce back from this season’s disappointment of relegation and immediately start to rebuild.

A move back to part-time football looks almost guaranteed and with the board likely to set a very tight playing budget it is clear the next Terras’ boss is going to have to work hard to develop fresh young talent rather than rely on experienced journeymen.

But building a team on limited funds can be done. And as long as the new board can put that solid structure within the club in place and appoint a manager with good coaching experience and knowledge of untapped talent in the area and beyond, there is no reason why the Terras cannot flourish once again.

Ridley has fantastic contacts and with local businessmen like Dave Higson backing him in the boardroom there are encouraging signs for the future but as they will testify there is a lot of work ahead, work that will take time and will require a lot of careful thought.