CHRIS Shephard believes signing a new deal with Weymouth was a “no-brainer”, after a season he described as one of his most successful.

The Terras’ playmaker sat down alongside manager Jason Matthews and chairman Chris Pugsley to secure a new one-year contract following the final game at Biggleswade on Saturday.

Highly praised by Matthews for his performances throughout the campaign, former Exeter City man Shephard told Echosport: “I have enjoyed the season and Jase approached me and asked if I would be interested in signing a new deal.

“I said I would definitely be interested in having a chat with him and the chairman. Once that happened it was a no-brainer really.

“I wanted to repay them with a little bit of loyalty and give it another year.

“I have a little bit more to give Weymouth. The fans and the staff have shown their belief in me and I feel like I want to repay them for that.

“I have really enjoyed my time and I have probably had one of my most successful seasons in my career so far in terms of games played and my level of form.”

And Shephard, who also wanted to tie up his deal before he gets married this summer, believes he could be one of a number of the current squad who will turn out at the Bob Lucas Stadium again next term.

“Jase will be looking to bring a few players in but I’m sure it’s not going to be a brand new team,” he added.

“I know he is planning to keep most of the side together and it has been a season that we will definitely learn a lot from.

“We are quite a young team anyway, so as long as we can build on what we have done this year and keep the foundation and the spine of the team together, I see it being a very big year for us next season.

“The longer you keep a group together, especially the group we have in terms of ability and closeness, I think we can only get better and improve on what we have done this year.”