SHANE Murphy believes he made the right decision in staying at the Avenue, but admitted he was flattered by interest from Poole Town.

The 21-year-old, who claimed the Magpies’ number one jersey for a brief spell over the Christmas period, declined an offer to switch to the Dolphins after they put in a seven-day approach for his services earlier this month.

“It was just something that came out of the blue,” he told Echosport. “Jem spoke to me and said they had put the approach in and it was extremely flattering to be honest.

“It was a big decision. I could have quite easily gone with them looking to get into the Conference South, that’s massive for them.

“But I feel that it can eventually be an aim for Dorchester too, we are more than capable of doing it.

“For me personally, I feel I am a part of something at Dorchester and I feel that I can have a future there. Having Jem and Critts in charge was big for me and I spoke to Alan Walker-Harris as well, it was right for me to stay.”

The keeper has also signed dual-registration forms for Wessex League New Milton, who he played for before joining the Magpies.

However, he saw his Linnets’ debut delayed after picking up a wrist injury during the warm-up when on Dorchester duty at Bideford.

He added: “I am waiting for some more scans which I have on Tuesday to make sure there is no break."