DORCHESTER Town chairman Matt Lucas sees a bright future for the Magpies after the appointment of Craig Laird as manager.

Confirmed as manager on January 1, Lucas is still clearly delighted he got his man.

He said: “I think he’s a very experienced manager, an excellent coach with an A licence qualification and he’s got good contacts within the local area.

“We’re very pleased with the appointment we’ve made, it’ll hopefully galvanise the team and we can start to look forward.”

Without a win in six games, Lucas is keen to keep the pressure away from his new manager.

He said: “I wouldn’t want to say we’re underachieving. I think we need to be patient with the manager so he can get his style implemented into the team.

“Everybody would like us to have a few more points at this stage in the season but we’ve been competitive and now that we have Craig in place he can start to shape the team in the way he wants it.

“We’ve got to look to support him in the best way we can.

“But so far the players have given me excellent feedback on how Craig is, how the training sessions have been and what he’s brought to the team already, so all is very positive.”

Laird has been particularly vocal about the need to strengthen his playing squad, and Chairman

Lucas says the manager has his full backing in the transfer market.

“Craig has got people he’d like to bring to the club. There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes and I don’t think there’s a day goes by where I’m not in contact with Craig or the secretary about a negotiation.”

One real shining light at the club in recent weeks has been the form of the Dorchester Reserve side, and Lucas was quick to praise the man running the show.

“I’ve been very impressed with Rich Robson first and foremost. He’s brought some excellent prospects to the team, there’s a real team spirit there and I’m really impressed with how they’ve played.

“They’re all youngster but are maturing together as a team and it’s been really good to see.

“I’ve also been very impressed with young Billy Mitchell. He’s obviously been very patient, he’s travelled miles with the first team and since he’s taken his chance he’s done extremely well.

“What I’d like to say is that it’s great that people in the reserve team know there is a chance for them if they really want to move forward.

“The opportunities are there and that’s been proven by people like Billy Mitchell and I’m sure there’ll be others coming through.”