DORCHESTER Town chairman Matt Lucas wants the club to “work together as one” under the Community Benefit Society (CBS) as the Magpies look to build on their successful first season under their new guise.

Lucas has now been at the helm since 2014 and he has run the rule over the supporter-run club, which has now become debt-free.

Despite a turbulent summer for the club – one that has included dents to their budget – the chairman feels they are in a stronger position than they were last year.

Lucas explained: “It’s been an extremely busy summer for the club. We’ve been busy looking to bridge the gap that the Park & Ride scheme will leave us.

“There’s been lots of work done around the stadium and the pitch is looking great.

“I think everything is good. Financially, the club is debt-free. Being debt-free is one thing, but finding money on a weekly and monthly basis is another thing. It is difficult, as it is for teams at our level.”

“But, as the AGM proved, there is a willingness from many people who want to see things work at the football club. Hopefully that collectiveness can pull us through.”

Last week’s AGM saw more than 50 people attend and Lucas feels the new system has brought everyone at Dorchester closer together.

He added: “It’s brought a work ethic to work as one. I want us to work together as one and let’s see what we can achieve together.

“I think we have a stable footing and it’s great that so many people have an equal share of the club. I don’t hold any more of an interest than anyone at the AGM last week.

“Clubs can sit back and wait for an individual to bankroll their club, but ultimately there aren’t many people that can do that.

“So, rather than feeling sorry for ourselves, we can do something about it.”

On the pitch, Lucas is more worried about the effort from his players, insisting there is no pressure on results from his squad.

The chairman added: “I think what Mark (Jermyn) has done has kept his core of players together. That is sensible and it’s the right move. Those players have served Dorchester Town well over the last few years.

“He’s also brought in many young players that have shown well in pre-season and I think they will get better.

“There’s a great atmosphere in the dressing room and everyone wants to do well and the fact they’re mixing with the experienced players means it can only go well.

“I always like to set the bar as high as I can, and if there is any chance of us that we could be in mid-table and looking towards those play-offs then that would be wonderful.”

“But I’m a realist and I know the young players will need time and I will put no pressure on the manager. I know when they go out there, they play at 110 per cent. As long as they do that, then I am content.”

Under Lucas’ stewardship and the tireless effort from everyone behind the scenes at the Magpies has allowed the club to stabilise off the pitch. Only time will tell whether that will correlate into a bright start for the side on the pitch.