BRENDON King was the key factor in Mark Ford’s decision to move to the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Salisbury City, Dorchester Town, Wimborne Town and Poole Town had all expressed an interest in the 21-year-old but it was the Weymouth boss that convinced him to choose the claret and blue following a run of 35 goals in 22 games for Magna Dorset Premier League outfit Blandford United.

Ford told Echosport: “The fact Brendon had managed at DPL level was a big thing for me.

“Not only does he know just what it takes for players to make the step up but he also gives lads the opportunities to do it.

“Sam Poole has stepped up from Weymouth Reserves this season and done really well, and hopefully I can do the same.

“There are also some great players that I can learn from here like Warren Byerley and Matt Groves, who have been fantastic to me already.

“When you know all the boys are behind you like I do here it gives you massive confidence and I am looking forward to progressing as a player as the weeks go on.”

Ford wasted no time in proving his goalscoring credentials to the Terras’ faithful last Saturday when he came off the bench and netted twice in a 2-1 win over Banbury United.

He added: “It was good to get the three points on my home debut. The gaffer said he would try and give me as many minutes as possible so when I got on I just wanted to show what I can do.

“The fact I managed to score two goals was just fantastic but the result was what was most important and hopefully we can now kick on from here.”

The Terras return to action this afternoon when they host high-flying Stourbridge at the Bob Lucas Stadium (3pm).

The Glassboys currently lie sixth in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier, just one point adrift of the play-offs, and enter the clash off the back of successive victories over Bashley and Oxford City.

In fact, their last defeat came on January 31 when Weymouth became the first team this season to take maximum points at the War Memorial Athletic Ground.

King said: “They are one of the best sides in the league in my opinion and there is no doubt they will be out for revenge.

“They are really good going forward and if we switch off for a second they will punish us, so it is vitally important we are on our game for the full 90 minutes.

“When we beat them at the end of last month, it was the first time they had lost on their own patch this season. We got something right that night and hopefully we can do the same again.”

Matt Groves (calf) and Ben Joyce (hamstring) are both doubts for the Terras but are expected to pull through while new-signing Ashley Wells will be included on the bench.

King added: “Ashley can play at full-back or in midfield and is one of those players I have been keeping an eye on for a while.

“He has been learning at Portland United this season, which has given him a great start, and now he feels it is time to have a go at a higher level and I believe he has all the attributes to become a real fans’ favourite here.

“He is quick, versatile and tenacious, and has a fantastic attitude. He gives 110 per cent every time he plays and every report I have had on him has been positive.

“Due to all that I am extremely confident he has what it takes to make the step up and like I always say, who knows where it could lead.”

Due to hostility between the club and the Wessex Fantasy Football initiative, there have been fears that King might be without the services of several non-contract players today.

The problem arose on Thursday when the WFF chose to cancel their cheque for the four-week period from March 3 to March 24 inclusive due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of George Rolls.

King said: “Some of the non-contract lads have to travel a long way so I am still waiting to hear but hopefully they will all be there.”

The Terras, who have won their last four at home in the league, currently lie 11th, nine points above the drop-zone.

Terras (from): Jordan, Manley, Povall, Poole, Gerring, Jeannin, Tribe, Dixon, Wells, Clarke, Reed, Duff, Coutts, Joyce, Groves, Byerley, Ford, Winsper.

* Bridport have arranged a home friendly against Lymington Town for next Saturday (3pm).