FOR new recruit Ben Dickenson, the 2011/12 campaign cannot come quick enough.

The teenager has been kicking his heels for the last month after ending the Wessex Premier League campaign on April 26 with the winning goal in Christchurch’s 1-0 victory over Bourne-mouth.

And having secured a switch to Dorchester Town at the weekend, climbing three rungs on the non-League ladder, the forward is eager to make his county town bow.

“I just can’t wait for pre-season,” the 18-year-old told Echosport. “When you’re sat at home watching the football that is still being played you wonder why we have to stop.

“I can’t wait to get back into it, meet all the lads and settle in.

“The stadium is excellent and I can’t wait to play there. The atmosphere will be great as well.

“There are some good friendlies to look forward to and they will also be a great experience.

“I’ll be able to get a feel for the team, gel with the other players and hopefully become a key part of the team.”

Explaining his reasons for joining the Blue Square Bet South Magpies, Dickenson added: “There were two or three clubs looking at me but the main reason I chose Dorchester is that it’s a step up for me, a bigger challenge, a chance to play with better players and progress my own game.

“Dorchester seems like a great club, the people here look after you and they have a great bunch of lads.

“I came up to look around with Phil Simkin and then I came again to see Ashley Vickers and have a chat, and now I’m here properly.

“I only turned 18 in February so hopefully I’ve got a long career ahead in which I can slowly progress. Hopefully with the help of the lads at Dorchester I can do that.”

The county town striker, who can also play on the wing, has pace to burn and is hopeful that key attribute will help fire the Magpies next term.

He said: “Pace is the main part of my game so I’ll sit on the shoulder of the last defender and latch on to the killer ball over the top.”