DORCHESTER Sports’ manager Ashley James is delighted to have kept hold of some of the club’s key players over the summer, as well as adding some fresh faces for the new campaign.

Jamie Symes is set to stay with the county town side despite interest from Dorchester Town. Sports have also managed to retain the services of Jamie Rawlings and ex-Terra Jamie West, the top scorer in the Dorset Senior League last season with 40 goals in 23 games.

Manager James said: “We have improved the squad and our key aim was to keep our best players. We have managed to keep all three of the players we thought could go.

“Jamie Symes, Jamie Rawlings and Jamie West were all linked with bigger clubs, so it was massive we kept them to build for next season. They have all signed and confirmed that they will play for us.

“Once you get that confirmation I think other good quality players want to sign for you as well. We have signed three players with higher league experience.”

Former Weymouth Reserves and Portland midfield man Gareth Will is set to join up with the squad. Ex-Bridport man Dan Peart and former Blue Jamie Sibley have also come in and impressed during pre-season.

Giving his thoughts on the league campaign, the Sports’ chief is looking to improve on their seventh-place finish in the Dorset Premier League last term.

“We are looking to push on and I’m pretty confident we can do that,” he added.

“It’s going to be a tough league. I think it will be tougher than it was last year but hopefully we can get off to a good start and see where it takes us.

“Hopefully this year we will go one step better and really aim to finish in the top four or five.”