DEFENDER Ed Palmer had a tough decision to make with regards to where he would play his football this term, but he believes the way Weymouth have performed in pre-season has justified his choice to re-join the Terras.

The former Torquay United man attracted keen interest from fellow Southern Premier League outfit Truro City and even turned out this summer as a trialist for the Tigers.

But now he is hopeful of a successful campaign at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

“I went down to Truro and played one game down there,” he said.

“I had nothing tied up, it was just a backup plan in case Weymouth couldn’t get the funds, but luckily we have sorted it.

“I think Jason (Matthews) really wanted to get me in and step into that centre-half spot which we need between me, Lairdy (Jamie Laird) and Pooley (Sam Poole).

“If one of us is injured then we are all more than capable of doing it, I just have to fight for my spot.

“Everyone seems happy around the club and it’s all positive. The way we’ve been playing in pre-season is good and hopefully we can take it into the league.”

Palmer hit a fierce strike in midweek to open the scoring against Torquay and is hopeful of lining up for the Terras when they take on Conference North outfit Gloucester City at home tomorrow (3pm).

If Weymouth avoid defeat in their final friendly then they will have gone through the whole of pre-season unbeaten, and Palmer is backing the squad to maintain that form when it matters.

He added: “With the squad that we have got we should be right up there.

“We have to start the season trying to win the league. When it comes a bit closer we’ll see where we are.”

Elsewhere, former Weymouth assistant-manager Matt Groves has agreed to join Verwood Town.

  • Junior Terras community membership for under-16s, which includes free admission to all of the club’s Southern Premier League and Dorset Premier League games, is just £15 for the season.