Magpies: Former Dorchester goalkeeper Chris Weale reveals uncertainty

The former Leicester City stopper leaves the Magpies after signing for them in May 2017 to become the Grecian’s goalkeeping coach and was a consistent presence between the sticks for Dorchester during the 2017/18 season, which saw Dorchester finish 19th in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

Weale said: “I am really pleased, to be honest I really was uncertain as to whether to return to professional football but I know the manager (Matt Taylor) well, we did our coaching badges together.

“I just really wanted to get on board. I am really excited to take on the role because it is a really good club in terms of what they believe in and I am really looking forward to it.”

When asked about his reservations about returning to professional football, Weale said: “I have just got a young family and in terms of the commitment it is full on. It is 24/7, that was my main concern but me and my wife sat down and had a chat and worked out ways around it and the manager is really understanding that I have a young family.

“That was the biggest thing for me, if the manager can understand that and support that then I am going to give him my all in terms of when I am at the club.

“That was my main apprehension about getting back into professional football.”

When asked how much his friendship with Taylor factored into his decision to join Exeter City, Weale said: “I know of his personality and I know what he wants to achieve at Exeter.”

Exeter are in a bit of a transitional period, with long-serving manager Paul Tisdale having left after 12 years at the club, with the managerial role being filled by Taylor and the Grecians reached the League Two play-off finals for consecutive years in 2017 and 2018.

Referring to Taylor, Weale said: “First and foremost he is a really good person. He is really driven and knows what he wants and that is what attracted me to the club and what is going on at the football club.”