WEYMOUTH have announced two contract renewals in the space of two days, as defender Ashley Wells and striker Mark Ford have both put pen-to-paper to stay at the Bob Lucas Stadium next season.

The updated deals are the Terras’ fourth and fifth of the summer, with Adam Kelly, Steve Colwell and skipper Stewart Yetton all agreeing terms with the club over the last few weeks.

Manager Jason Matthews told Echosport: “I’m very pleased that they have both re-signed, hopefully both of them can stay injury-free next season and they will both be getting their chance, it’s all about them taking it.

“It gives us the spine of our team with local lads and if we can bring in the right experience with them, which I am working hard to do, we should be ready to move forward.”

Ford’s campaign was largely tarnished by a triple break in his foot back in January, on which he required an operation that ruled him out of months of action. While Wells suffered a hamstring problem towards the back end of the campaign.

“If they come back fighting fit, they will have an opportunity to prove themselves in pre-season,” Matthews added.

“Mark’s obviously a proven goalscorer and he needs to prove to me that he is that goalscorer in the big games, he will get his chance to do that.

“Ash is very versatile and can do me a job anywhere across the back which is really important for us.”

Wells will be part of a Weymouth backline that will be working closely with coach Shane Traynor next term, as the Weymouth player-manager confirmed the coach, who was brought in towards the conclusion of last season, will also be staying with the Terras.

He added: “Shane will be working with the defence, he was a centre-half previously and played at this level so it’s good to have him on board as we move on again.”

As well as tying down his current crop of players, the Terras’ boss also insists he is moving in on targets from elsewhere.

He said: “We are getting nearer and are very close to bringing in some lads that I really want, we have made some good progress in the last few days and hopefully we can go on from there.”

The club also found out who they will be competing against, as the Southern Premier League have revealed the teams that are set to feature in the division.

  • Southern Premier Division (subject to any possible appeals): Arlesey Town, Banbury United, Biggleswade Town, Bideford, Burnham, Cambridge City, Chesham United, Chippenham Town, Cirencester Town, Dorchester Town, Dunstable Town, Frome Town, Halesowen Town, Histon, Hitchin Town, Hungerford Town, Paulton Rovers, Poole Town, Redditch United, St Neots Town, Slough Town, Stourbridge, Truro City, Weymouth.

 

  • Physio Sophie Sheppard has also joined Weymouth from Bashley.