MATT Groves is “99 per cent certain” he will be a Weymouth player next season following talks with George Rolls.

A deal is on the table for the ex-Dorchester Town striker, who is fully expecting to put pen-to-paper at a sponsors’ night at the Bob Lucas Stadium next Wednesday (7pm).

Groves told Echosport: “I spoke to George Rolls on Wednesday and sorted something out, and it looks like I will sign Wednesday night all being well. I am very keen to stay and I am 99 per cent certain it will go through.

“I have not spoken to any of the other lads yet but George gave me a couple of names that are looking to stay as well and if they do, a promising season lies ahead.”

Winger Jamie Beasley is also hoping to tie up his contract next week after a glittering second half of the season following a meteoric rise from Dorset League Division One.

The ex-Dorchester Borough man added: “George Rolls called me on Tuesday and said he wants me to stay down there, and promised better things.

“A few of the other lads have also said they are willing to stay too, as long as things change and become a lot more stable.

“He said about going down on Tuesday or Wednesday and I am now just waiting on Nigel Biddlecombe to email a copy of the contract over so I can take a look at it. Once I am happy with that I will sign.”

The board is also hoping Warren Byerley will sign a new one-year deal in the coming days. Several local businessmen pledged funds to the club last week to help cover the striker’s contract but the agreement is still waiting to be rubber-stamped.

Byerley, who has been attracting interest from Salis-bury City and Dorchester Town, netted 25 goals last season in 45 appearances.

Beasley added: “I have not spoken to Warren for a few days but I know Stephen Reed has talked to George about coming back again.

“A lot of us have just been taking our time and waiting to see what happens but hopefully the majority will stay. If that happens and the fans continue to get behind us like they did at the end of last season when they were absolutely fantastic, it could be really good down there.”

And it appears both Groves and Beasley would be happy to see Martyn Rogers return to the managerial hotseat he vacated just over a week ago.

Beasley said: “Before Martyn came to Weymouth I was not getting much of a sniff but both him and Brendon King showed faith in me and I ended up doing well for them.

“Martyn has helped my game so much and I would love to see him come back but Brendon and Mike Fowler are also two good candidates as well so we will just have to see what happens.”

Groves added: “A few names have been linked with the position and I would certainly have no problem if Martyn returned. He did well last season in keeping the club up and I would be more than happy to see him back.”

Meanwhile, associate director Nigel Biddlecombe is on the verge of becoming a full board member. Speaking yesterday, the club historian said: “Next season I will be continuing my role as secretary and fixture secretary, and on the pending completion of all the official paperwork I will also be joining the board as a full director.”

Biddlecombe has also confirmed that Ben Gerring has been charged by the Football Association for playing for another side whilst under contract at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The ex-Plymouth Argyle defender’s agreement at Wey-mouth expired on May 7 but just before that he made three appearances for Bovey Tracey at the tail end of the season against Dartmouth (April 27), Witheridge (April 30) and Bodmin (May 7).

Biddlecombe added: “The FA wrote to Ben on May 20 and gave him 14 days to respond to the charge of playing for Bovey Tracey in three games, one of which was after I had told both Bovey Tracey and Ben that he could not play for them.

“He now has seven days left to appeal.”