PORTLAND United defender Ashley Smith has committed his future to the club for another season.

Smith, who is a long-term servant for the Blues, confirmed the news on social media before telling Echosport that he is delighted to have agreed to stay.

He said: “For me it was a very easy decision.

“This is going to be my eighth or ninth season and since I’ve started here the progress that everyone has made, and the club itself makes it a no-brainer.

“I’m not getting any younger. Within 10 games of next season I’ll have played 250 games for the club so I’m confident I’ll finish my playing career here.”

The decision comes just a week after the Blues were handed the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division title after a points deduction for Moneyfields allowed Portland to take top spot, and Smith is confident that the team can press on next season.

He said: “I think that if we can retain three quarters of our squad then we can persuade some other local lads to join the club.

“Our main aim is to try and retain the title, but everyone is excited about a possible run in the FA Cup. If we can get a good couple of draws in that you don’t know where it’ll take you.

“With another good pre-season I think it’ll set us up for another good year.”