DORCHESTER Town’s players have been praised for the way they turned their season around after the resignation of former boss Graham Kemp.

The Magpies were looking like candidates for relegation in mid-January having lost 17 of their 26 games in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division up to that point.

However, following their trip to Chippenham, Kemp’s last in charge, the county town side picked up 31 points from 54 and only lost five of their remaining 18 league fixtures.

“We’ve had some good performances since the change of management and that has been reflected in our results,” said current player-manager Mark Jermyn.

“I think we were eighth in the form guide at the end of the season and that’s not bad for a team that had pretty much been losing every week.

“There haven’t been that many additions to the squad to make a massive difference, and that’s an indication of how hard the boys have worked.

“It’s hard to go from a mindset of losing every week to start winning. I take my hat off to each and every one of them.

“Me and Nick (Crittenden) gave them a fresh impetus but the players did it themselves.”

Reflecting on his arrival, he added: “I think I was given a good opportunity at a time when the club really needed a lift.”