SHAUN Hearn wants to see the Magpies build on last season’s efforts and become an established top-half team.

Dorchester Town finished 11th in Blue Square Bet South for the first time since 2005/06 and but for a poor start to the campaign, and a low-key end, it could have been even better.

The county town chairman said: “On the whole it was a good season.

“We finished 11th but it could quite easily have been ninth. It’s something to build on and the squad we have will be more experienced next season.

“Hopefully we will hit the ground running next season as we had a disappointing start.

“It petered out a bit at the end but it was quite interesting when we were there or thereabouts for quite a while in terms of the play-offs.

“Getting knocked out of the cups early on meant we had played more games than anyone else and then we had that long break in play. It was quite stop-start and we lost our momentum a bit.

“On the pitch we did well. Apart from Woking, we matched all the top teams at one stage or another.

“We proved we can compete in the top half and with the top teams.

“The one thing that probably needs to improve is our home form. The support we have had has been fantastic but I think the lads are sometimes too eager to perform at home. However, I’m sure they will learn from it.”

Hearn is also eyeing a more “stable” season next time out after seeing Phil Simkin end 2011/12 as the club’s third manager of the campaign.

Asked if the latter would be receiving a new contract, the local businessman replied: “We have got to sit down with him.

“He has been in football a long time but we have a trust between us and he has not been banging on my door asking for a contract.

“If he ever felt he wasn’t up to the job I’m sure he would be the first one to recognise that. Phil has my trust and hopefully I have his.

“Obviously last season we had Ashley Vickers in charge, then Phil, then Alan Knight and then Phil again.

“We want stability at the club and I think Phil has more than earned the opportunity.

“Mark Jermyn is getting more involved as well and together they know the way they want to take the players forward.

“The players certainly respect Phil and Mark.”