MIDFIELDER Sam Lanahan believes Dorchester Town is a club “on the up” after agreeing terms to play at the Avenue Stadium in the coming campaign.

Lanahan is set to embark on his second spell with the county town side having left the Magpies in the summer of 2015 before joining Gosport Borough at the start of last season.

Arch-rivals Weymouth had also been alerted to Lanahan’s availability and the 24-year-old was part of the Terras’ side that lost 2-1 to Yeovil Town on Tuesday night.

Asked what helped sway his decision to join the Magpies in favour of Weymouth, Lanahan admitted his “loyalty is with Dorchester”.

He told Echosport: “I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Dorchester before. In terms of the backroom staff there’s a lot of people still at the club that I’ve really got along with like Matt Lucas (chairman) and Stuart Heath (first-team coach).

“The fans were fantastic and have always been supportive. My loyalty is with Dorchester and I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot of hungry youngsters involved.

“I think the club has had a difficult period and I’d like to think it’s on the up again.”

Lanahan initially left Dorchester to fulfil a teaching job in Salisbury and joined up with Wessex Premier League side Blackfield and Langley where he scored 24 goals in 31 games.

Last season he moved to Gosport Borough but is now back at Dorchester, conceding the “nice feel” at the Avenue was also a big factor in his return.

He said: “It’s a nice feel at the club and it’s about the enjoyment side too.

“The fans have been through hard times and stuck by the players. They’re very positive, which does help, and are very forthcoming with conversations. They do a lot in the community so it’s a nice all-round club.”

Lanahan will be in the Magpies’ squad that travels to Wiltshire for their second pre-season game at Melksham Town tonight (7.45pm).

Boss Craig Laird will use the remaining half of his players having split the squad into two for the opening brace of pre-season games.