DORCHESTER chairman Matt Lucas feels Dorchester are progressing towards the new season nicely despite the lack of news from the Avenue Stadium.

Only two Magpies’ players have confirmed their future – Bradley Tarbuck has moved to Havant & Waterlooville and Shane Murphy announced on Twitter that he would be staying at the club – leaving many fans worried about next season.

However, Lucas is happy with the club’s direction having had a board meeting on Wednesday evening that included manager Mark Jermyn and assistant Nick Crittenden.

He told Echosport: “Jem (Mark Jermyn) has been given a budget to work towards and he’s in the process of speaking to more players.

“There will be news sooner rather than later.”

The reserve team has come into focus in recent weeks with manager Simon Evans relinquishing the role.

Talking about the reserves, Lucas added: “Mark is talking to managers to take over the role, it is ongoing.

“We will play in the Wyvern League again next year, which works well because the first-team management can keep an eye on those up-and-coming players.

“We hope to have the management situation sorted before pre-season training starts at the end of the month.”

Lucas reiterated that the club is working hard to put the Magpies on the front foot as the park and ride talks continue, giving the club some uncertainty.

“We’ve got to tackle things head on and make sure the club is the be all and end all and the most important thing.

“I would like to thing all the things will work out in the long term.”

The Magpies have also announced their pre-season friendlies. They will take on former striker Jonah Ayunga’s Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s on Wednesday. July 20 as well as local teams Wimborne (Tuesday, July 26) and Poole Town (Saturday, July 30).

Lucas is looking forward to welcoming back Ayunga to the Avenue.

He said: “It will be lovely. I think it’s good for a club of our standing to have good links with relatively local clubs as well.

“Not only can that help as a team, I think it’s good to see clubs like Brighton to see how we operate and teams like that are always keen to come here.

“I think it will be a competitive friendly against Poole and it should bring a few supporters along.”

Some fans have sounded out their worries about the club’s lack of news over the summer, but Lucas knows the board has Dorchester’s interests at heart.

“We’re all fans of the club at the end of the day and we want the best for it,” the chairman explained.

“Whatever we decide on has to be for the benefit of the club.

“I’m sure things will move along quite nicely from now on.”