NEW Chickerell United boss Brendan King has set his sights on the Dorset Premier League title.

The former Weymouth defender’s appointment has been made official following weeks of speculation linking him with the hot-seat, which was vacated by Maurice Welch who stepped down last month.

And King, who used to be Dave Kiteley’s number two at local rivals Portland United, is confident he can build on the achievements of last season when the Chickens finished fourth in the county’s top flight and came runners-up in the League Cup in their first year at that level.

He said: “Maurice did an amazing job and the challenge now is to try and build on that success.

“To achieve what the club did in its first year in the Dorset Premier League was fantastic but it is sure to be even harder next season as we will no longer be an unknown quantity.

“Any manager worth his salt at our level will now know what we can do and in order for us to progress we are going to have to improve and become even stronger.

“I was actually brought up around the Chickerell area so to be honest it is a bit like going home and I desperately want to take the club on to the next level.

“I know a lot of people within the club and the fact that there are so many great people on the committee is a huge positive.

“The infrastructure that has been put in place over the last few years is fantastic and no longer is it just a village side. It is more like a town now and it is a big club that needs to be up there competing with the likes of Portland, Westland Sports, Hamwor-thy Recreation, Holt United and Poole Borough year in year out.

“Now I hope I am not putting pressure on myself but I am taking this job on with one main focus and that is to win the league.

“I am a winner and I want winners around me and I have had a meeting with the players already and told them exactly that.

“The current squad has been together for a while now. They have grown up together and played together for several years but the club needs strengthening throughout, not just the first team but the reserves as well, and it is part of my job to ensure that happens.

“I have got no history with any of the players there and as far as I am concerned they all have a clean slate. Competition for places is always healthy and I have told all of them what I expect. The rest is up to them.

“I will look to bring in a couple of players but it does not need many. However, if quality players come knocking on the door you cannot ignore that.”

When asked whether he is in the market for any Portland players, King added: “I have had contact with a couple of their lads but there are a lot of good players out there not just at Portland.

“Our rivals have all already begun strengthening their squads and naturally we have to look to do the same because the league is going to be a lot stronger next season, particularly if Weymouth Reserves came in as well.”

The Terras will find out whether their application to join the Dorset Premier League has been successful or not on June 24 when the member clubs will vote on their possible inclusion.

King said: “In terms of local football I think having Weymouth Reserves in the league would be fantastic.

“To have them on the doorstep with their facilities can only be a positive and sides are going to enjoy playing there. It will also provide a shop window for local players.”

Mark Carter, who finished last season on the coaching staff at Portland, has been handed the assistant-manager’s job at Chickerell.

King added: “When I got the call about the role I jumped at it and the fact Mark is going to be my assistant is just fantastic.

“We have known each other for a long time, so we will both be singing from the same hymn sheet, and he is a great character to have around the place. We both just cannot wait now to get started.”

Pre-season training at Chickerell will begin on Tuesday, June 30 at Budmouth. Meet 6.30pm for 7pm start. All players are welcome. To find out more call King on 07525262693.