PROMOTION is the main objective for new Terras’ defender Jamie Laird, as the 24-year-old claims that Weymouth’s aspirations were an integral reason for him joining the club.

Laird penned a one-year deal at the Bob Lucas Stadium last week after deciding to exit Weston-super-Mare, and speaking to Echosport for the first time, the former Seagulls’ captain made his intentions perfectly clear.

“I want to go up and that’s it, so I am looking for play-offs at least next season,” he said.

“Jason (Matthews) was so eager to sign me and he was very passionate about the football club, he had lots of good things to say about the club and ambitions to try and gain promotion.

“I am still ambitious myself still only being 24. I want to get back into the Conference South as soon as I can and I hope Weymouth is the club that I will be able to do that with.

“I had a lot of other offers from clubs in the Southern League and above, but Weymouth outweighed all of them, they had the best chance to go up and do well.

“It’s such a big club and it’s a sleeping giant at the moment and I don’t think it’s where they should be. They should be getting Conference football at least.”

Laird, a qualified coach currently working towards his UEFA B licence, is also excited about showing Terras’ fans the style of play the club will implement next term.

He added: “Hopefully we will bring a brand of football that the fans will enjoy and get value for their money to come and watch us, I want a winning style of football as well as an attractive style.

“From playing under my dad for the last six or seven years, our philosophy is to play football the right way and play out from the back.

“I think you will see me trying to get the ball from Jason and start off attacks. As well as that, being able to defend one-against-one and allowing our more attacking players to go forward and score us goals.”

And on the subject of goals, Laird is looking forward to reuniting with Weymouth skipper Stewart Yetton, as well as gelling with the rest of his teammates.

“I know of Stewart Yetton because I used to play at Plymouth with Stewart,” he added.

“I know all about his goalscoring record, I played against him many times when I played against Truro in the Conference South.

“I can’t wait to get involved in pre-season now and meet the rest of the lads, I’m sure it won’t take long to get to know the players and, like Jason says, they are a really good bunch of lads. I’m looking forward to it.”