STUART Heath has been appointed the new manager of the Dorset Premier League representative team.

The Portland United boss, who picked up the Magna Dorset Premier League Manager of the Month Award for October before Saturday’s draw against Westland Sports, told Echosport: “It is a great honour for me personally and for everyone associated with the club.

“It is an opportunity for me to further my coaching and management career and it is a chance to create a really talented and ambitious side that next season can do well in the national cup competitions and show the league in a really good light.

“The run the DPL team had a couple of years ago was fantastic and really put the league on the national map and the aim is to try and repeat that success.

“I will start looking to get a really competitive squad together in January and there will be opportunities for all those players that are in good form no matter what team they play for.”

Blues’ president Robin Satherley added: “Everyone connected with Portland United is delighted for Stuart together with the added prestige this appointment gives the club.

“I am also sure that Stuart would be the first to acknowledge the superb support he has been given by the players, assistant-manager Gary Bailey, coaches Micky Greeno and Steve Dodge, and club physio Malcolm Coe.

“This support is further galvanised by the strength of our high-riding Dorset Senior League team, run by Gary Harding, Derek McKay and physio Malcolm Bowley.”