DORCHESTER Town’s Jason Brookes is hoping he will have the chance to fight for his place at the club going into the new season.

The defender reclaimed the right-back slot at the end of the season, and says the squad were relieved to secure their Southern Premier League status against Stratford Town on Saturday.

He said: “There was a lot of relief. It was such a tight game and information from the other games was filtering on to the pitch, so we were relieved to get the point.

“We knew it was going to be a tough season. I don’t want to make excuses for what went on but we never had a massive consistency in the squad, and that’s going to happen when a new manager comes in. Hopefully that’s something the gaffer can get set moving forward because all of the teams that do well in non-League have a good nucleus to the squad and just add one or two players.”

Brookes, who works as the club’s community officer, is hoping he has done enough to extend his stay.

He said: “It sounds like a lot of the lads will be speaking to him (Craig Laird) this week because he wants to get things done quickly.

“The manager has spoken to me a few times and seems quite positive, so, all being well, I can continue what I’m doing.

“I’m hoping to get something sorted and I’m hopeful I’ll still be at the club because it’s a great club to be at.”