ASSISTANT-MANAGER Ashley Vickers is determined to “get the best out of” Jamie Gleeson after the midfielder signed a new two-year deal at Dorchester.
The Magpies have also secured the services of fellow midfield man Tom Mitchell for another year after the 21-year-old put pen to paper on a new 12-month contract. And Vickers wants to help both players realise their full potential.
Gleeson made 43 appearances for the Magpies last season, scoring four goals in the process, while Mitchell earned 16 starts and bagged his first goal for the club on the final day of the campaign – a strike which secured Dorchester’s Blue Square South status.
Vickers said: “Jamie’s an excellent player, he’s 24 now so he’s at a great age to start producing good stuff week in, week out.
“He’s a fit lad and a good all-round midfielder. He can shoot, pass and doesn’t shy out of a tackle.
“It’s about getting the best out of him on a consistent basis, and if Roy O’Brien and I can do that, and give him plenty of belief, then I’m sure he’ll produce great things for us.
“He’s keen to crack and try to get into the full-time game, and there’s no reason why he can’t.
“It’s good to have Tom on board again as well. He’s got good fitness levels and performed really well in the latter part of last season. Hopefully next season he’ll be able to carry on from where he left off.”
The Magpies’ management duo are also keen to tie up new deals for the likes of keeper Gareth Stewart and defenders Gary Bowles and Jake Smeeton.
Vickers added: “Gareth is weighing up his options while with Jake and Gary it’s a case of sorting their new deals out.”
Dorchester have yet to capture any new faces since the season came to an end on April 25, however, striker Matt Groves remains close to securing a return to the club he left in September 2007.
Meanwhile, Dorchester Town have decided against entering the Dorset Senior Cup next season.
The Magpies lost this year’s final to Poole Town and will lose Nick Critten-den for the opening Blue Square South game of 2009/10 due to a suspension gained in the 2-0 defeat to Poole.
The county town outfit also declined an invitation to put a reserve team back in the Dorset Premier League.
* Dorchester Town Supporters’ Trust is set to hold its launch night on July 25, at the Jewson Stadium.
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