MAGPIES’ chairman Matt Lucas is delighted to secure the services of Craig Laird as the new Dorchester Town manager.

The former Weston-super-Mare, Yate Town and Bridgwater chief was announced as the new boss at the Avenue, replacing Mark Jermyn, who stepped down last week.

Laird, a former assistant to Jason Matthews at Weymouth, intends to be present as the Magpies make the trip to Basingstoke Town tomorrow (3pm), although interim duo Stuart Heath and Nathan Walker will take charge of that game.

Speaking about the appointment, Lucas told Echosport: “We felt that Craig, with his wealth of experience, his contacts and his enthusiasm for the game, was most definitely the right person for us at the club, at this time.

“We remember Craig first and foremost for what he achieved at Weston-super-Mare.

“A lot of us on the board were there when we were playing against Weston in the Conference South days and everybody who knew Craig, or knew Conference South football, knows he was renowned for playing an excellent brand of flowing football there.

“He has a great philosophy and has been so positive right from the start with us.

“It does seem very appropriate as well that it was released on new year’s day, we will all give Craig all the support we can and we are looking forward to working with him.”

News of Laird’s assistants and coaching staff will be “announced in the next couple of weeks” according to a statement on the club website.

The club chairman added: “Craig understands where the club is and where we are as a club, we have been very honest and Craig has been very much all embracing. We are looking forward to working together.”

Lucas also expressed his gratitude to those who had also shown an interest in taking the job.

“We thank everyone who had either applied or showed a keen interest in the role,” he said.

“We have had some good applicants and have really appreciated those that have shown a real interest.”