DORCHESTER Town have moved to secure the signings of goalkeeper Chris Weale, defender Kyle Egan plus midfielders Billy Lowes and Aaron Rodriguez for next season.

The quartet, Dorchester players last season, visited the Avenue Stadium to pen their deals last night after talks with manager Steve Thompson concluded this week.

Chairman Matt Lucas, assistant-manager Trevor Senior and club secretary Dave Ring were also in attendance as the Magpies tied up their first deals of the summer.

Commenting on the developments, Thompson told Echosport that the club had been diligent in attempting to seal the players’ signatures.

He said: “We’ve been working hard to get to where we can do it. For one reason or another, people had to think about things.

“It’s taken two weeks of constant phoning, lots of meetings, and finally we’ve got to when we can sign four players.

“I’m really pleased to have all four of them on board. They all played a big part in last season and I think they’re good players and fit players who can do well.”

Thompson believes that the Magpies will have to “cut the cloth accordingly” with regards to future deals.

He said: “The club’s not in a position where it can offer loads and loads of contracts.

“We have to cut the cloth accordingly, but I did feel it was important to have more on contract than we did last year, which was only four.

“Hopefully this year it will be seven or eight, which is a big improvement as long as those boys are playing and doing well.

“That’s a gamble everyone takes when they sign a contract. It’s not just a gamble by the player, it’s a gamble by the club.”