STRIKER Ben Watson will not be a Dorchester Town player next season, after it was revealed he had re-joined Bideford for the 2016-17 campaign.

In an interview with Echosport last month, Watson insisted: “I’m keeping my head down. I owe my loyalty to this club (Dorchester) and to Jem (Mark Jermyn, player-manager) first and foremost and we will see where we go from there.”

But Watson is now to undergo a new challenge with the Robins next term.

A statement on the Bideford website said: “We are delighted to announce the signings of Ben Watson and Paul Hider who both return to the club for the 2016/17 season.

“Watson became a crowd favourite during a short spell with the club in 2014/15, scoring winning goals against Barnstaple Town, Corby Town and a very late equaliser against St Neots Town.

“The former Truro City and Dorchester Town striker will be a welcome addition to Bideford's front line this season.”

Speaking to the North Devon Journal about Watson, Bideford manager Sean Joyce added: “He left on good terms and I always leave the door open for players.

"Last year we were in a tough, tough league but we need that bit of firepower.

"He should make a difference and we have also got Billy Tucker, Kevin Squire, Sean Downing can go up there, Jamie Chamberlain and Angus Wilson."