NATHAN Walker has attributed Dorchester Town’s best finish in seven years to the management duo of Phil Simkin and Mark Jermyn.

The Magpies ended the Blue Square Bet South campaign in 11th spot with 56 points – their best return since 2004/05.

And the towering defender, who made more appearances (47) than anyone else last term, believes boss Simkin and player-coach Jermyn are the key factors behind the club’s success.

Fresh from signing a new one-year deal at the county town outfit, Walker told Echosport: “I’ve enjoyed the second half of the season.

“We have been getting the ball down and we look a totally different side.

“From the team that started the season to the one that has finished there is a massive difference.

“Phil and Mark are the reason why we have been so successful. The training sessions have been good and they have changed the way we play.

“They have also got us believing in ourselves. Even if we go a goal down we still believe we can get back into the game, which is brilliant.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room is great and we know we can compete with anyone.”

Although delighted with the Magpies’ mid-table finish, the 25-year-old was left to reflect on what might have been, had Dorchester enjoyed a better start to the campaign and avoided defeat against the likes of basement boys Thurrock and lowly Havant & Waterlooville.

He added: “We had a bad start, losing 10 of our first 15 games, but I’m happy to see us finish in mid-table.

“I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t finish in the top 10 but at the end of the day we have had a good season.

“Hopefully we can progress as you always want to improve on the previous year.

“We want to be in the top 10 next year and if we can have a good start we could even be in the top eight.

“If we want to improve though, we have got to win games against the so-called lesser sides.

“We lost both games against Havant, conceding 10 goals, and we also lost at Thurrock. If we want to push on next year we have got to beat teams like that.

“We know we can compete with anyone as we took four points off Dartford and they finished second.

“In fact, apart from Woking, we have taken points off all the top-six teams.

“We could also do with a better cup run next season as you can earn a bit of money, which is something every club at this level needs.”

The Magpies unveiled goalkeeper Jason Matthews as their first signing of the close season yesterday and his arrival has been met with a seal of approval from his former Terras’ team-mate.

Walker said: “Jason is a good signing and we needed to bring someone in with Alan Walker-Harris breaking his leg.

“I was in the reserve team when he was at Weymouth and he is a good character to have around.

“His experience will also help and I’m sure it will help the backline improve as most of us are still pretty young.

“Hopefully we will sign a few more good players as well.”

One player the ever-reliable figure is hoping to see fight for a first-team berth next season is younger brother Steve.

The former added: “He has done well this season. He has captained the reserves and he’s had a few appearances on the bench.

“He also came on in the semi-finals of the Dorset Senior Cup and played alongside me, which we both really enjoyed.

“Hopefully he will continue to improve. He has just got to believe in his own ability because he wouldn’t be at the club if he wasn’t good enough.”