CRAIG Laird’s managerial reign at Dorchester Town has been a slow-burner to put it mildly.

But considering the circumstances the club found themselves in when he took over, it always looked to be a long road ahead.

The news that Mark Jermyn and Nick Crittenden were departing the club shook the Avenue to its roots, and citing the reason as the continued tightening of the club’s budget, it would be naïve to think that the next man in line would hit the ground running.

Numerous key players had left the club over this period, most notably captain Jake Smeeton who departed to join Poole Town, leaving a huge void of both quality and leadership in the Magpies’ team.

But in stepped Laird, a manager with proven pedigree at this level, with the man-management skills to spark a depleted squad into life, and a contact book as big as the yellow pages.

The task of rebuilding a squad that was capable of competing in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division, while also working within the budget that previous boss Jermyn was set, could easily be deemed an impossible task, meaning the manager should be due credit for the job he is doing.

But Laird approached the challenge with optimism, using his network in the south west to target lower division talent, and high potential youngsters, who if utilised correctly, could provide the influx of energy needed to secure the club’s future at Southern League level.

Combining players previously known to the club such as Ollie Bassett and Gary Bowles, hot footballing prospects such as Ollie Mehew and Jordan Williams, and experienced heads such as Jon Vance, Laird was creating a blend of youth and experience, which although largely unproven at this level, were players he trusted to be able to do a job.

However, the fixture list didn’t look kind for the Magpies and led to a confidence-crushing nine-match streak without a win.

But with Avenue regulars Shane Murphy, Nathan Walker and Neil Martin making up the spine of the team, Laird has been able to put together a series of results to claw them away from the relegation mire.

“Project Laird” may still be in its infancy, and although difficult and unpopular decisions have had to be made by Magpies’ hierarchy to ensure the budget remains streamlined, it appears that the upward curve of this exciting young squad could be what takes Dorchester Town up the league through this season and beyond, and for that reason, Laird should be given credit for delivering results in near-impossible circumstances, and working towards building a long and fruitful future for the club.