NIGEL Biddlecombe, the man that gave Weymouth FC back to the local community, is disheartened that more people have not got behind the club since his takeover.

The Terras’ chairman and his wife ploughed in £13,000 to help acquire the Southern Premier League outfit from the Rolls family back in February before signing their majority shareholding over to a community trust just over two months later.

However, they feel their grand gesture has not received the backing they initially anticipated despite a brighter outlook at the Bob Lucas Stadium both on and off the field.

Biddlecombe told Echosport: “The thing that has disappointed me personally is the lack of people and businesses coming forward in the match-day sponsorship area.

“I thought, maybe wrongly, that by getting the football club back in the hands of the local people, more would be forthcoming.

“My wife and I were the driving forces behind making that happen. Others put money in and around it but we just expected a little more support.”

Despite that, Biddlecombe is confident the Terras are moving in the right direction.

He added: “I am delighted that attendances seem to be going up and there is no doubt the general standard of football is getting better. “Results haven’t always gone our way but we are still very much in the process of trying to turn the club around and I have no doubts we will get it right.

“It was disappointing to hear a few fans boo the team off after the narrow defeat against Hemel Hempstead Town last Saturday but at the end of the day they pay their money and that is their decision.

“I just felt a bit sorry for everyone involved because they gave their all and were desperately unlucky not to at least get a draw.

“It is going to take time to get this club back to where it should be and it is important people are patient, but I am confident we will get there and hopefully more will come on board as we continue to move forward.”