DORCHESTER Town have seen two managers and 25 players come and go over the past nine months – but throughout the upheaval, one man has helped keep the Magpies firmly on the right track.

Phil Simkin started the 2011/12 campaign as assistant to Ashley Vickers before being put in temporary charge when the latter was dismissed in late-October.

The ex-Hamworthy United chief, who during that time helped introduce a new brand of football at the Avenue, reassumed the role of number two after Portsmouth legend Alan Knight was appointed to the hot-seat but just 127 days later the Portsmouth legend stepped down due to work commitments and Simkin was finally handed the reins on a permanent basis.

The current chief admits it has been an arduous season but after guiding the Magpies to their best points tally in Blue Square South for seven years, he can look back with great pride.

Simkin told Echosport: “It seems to have been a really long season and it seems to have gone on forever as so many things have happened – where do you start?

“We didn’t get off to the start we wanted being beaten 4-0 at Dover on the first day and then we went out of the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

“Other results didn’t go the way we planned and as we all know that lead to Ash departing, which for me was really upsetting because we were, and I’d like to think we still are, good friends.

“Then myself and Mark Jermyn were given the reins and we sat down together and thought about what we should do. We decided to change everything, including the way we played and the training.

“We put our faith in the players, who all have good technical ability, and we trusted them to use that ability properly, which they did.

“Alan Knight, who is a great guy, then came in but nothing really changed and we carried on as before.

“We put some good results together and got to the point of being within touching distance of the play-offs. But we lost our front two in Ben Dickenson and Ryan Moss and one or two injuries showed up how small the squad was.

“We eventually lost touch with the play-offs but it was still a successful season. If someone had offered me 11th spot back in August I would have snapped their hand off, especially having one of the lowest budgets in the league.

“We are lucky that we have a totally committed group of players who may have an off-day every now and again but always give 100 per cent effort.

“Overall it has been a successful season but it has been really hard work for myself. I’m absolutely exhausted and I’m not finished yet.

“But I will get the chance to recharge my batteries next month and get ready to go again.”

Defender Nathan Walker, who made 47 appearances out of a possible 48 last term, last week attributed the club’s successful season to Simkin and player-coach Mark Jermyn.

But his boss replied: “I don’t look to take the credit for any of that.

“I have pointed people in the right direction but the players have had to go out there and perform.

“The staff have also been tremendous, such as Damion Maston (physio) and Derek Taylor (kit man), and it’s been a real team effort.

“I’m proud of the fact we have had a really good season. If I have contributed to that then great.”

Reflecting on some of the more memorable moments of the past campaign, Simkin said: “There are probably two matches that stick out for me. The first was the first game when Jem and I took over and we beat Tonbridge 3-1. I thought we were absolutely terrific that day and I remember Ben Dickenson scoring from a long way out.

“The second was the 0-0 draw at Chelmsford on a wet and windy night. It was one hell of a performance and we should have won the game.

“There have been a few disappointments as well and the biggest one for me was probably the 6-3 home defeat to Havant. I just couldn’t believe it.”

He then added: “In all the years I have been in football, finding Ben Dickenson and getting him where is now has been a great source of satisfaction as he is so appreciative. I hope everything goes well for him at Brighton.”