DORCHESTER Town’s David Jerrard is looking to find the net regularly next season as he embarks on a new 12-month spell with the club.

The attacking midfielder, 20, who came up from the club’s reserves and has had stints on loan at Petersfield Town and Gosport Borough, is one of 13 players to have penned deals at the Avenue Stadium this summer.

Jerrard scored the goal against Stratford Town on the final day of last season that helped the Magpies stave off relegation and told Echosport he is now aiming for bigger things.

He said: “Last year was a difficult season but it’s a big club with great facilities and it’s a club I want to be at. I think we’ve got to look ahead and aim for the play-offs. We need to believe in ourselves and see where it takes us.

“Craig wants to get the ball down and play and he’s brought in some good players. We’ve got a few young players coming in that have got potential – we want that sort of player in the team because they are trying to be the best they can.

“It’s a fresh feel now and we just have to go for it – we have got everything there.”

Jerrard added that he was pleased to have played his part in helping the club survive.

“I didn’t play the five games before that (because of injury) but I really wanted to play the last game.

“I missed a chance early in the game, it was a sitter, but I got a second chance and couldn’t miss that so I was glad to help the team stay up,” he said.

Commenting on the qualities he can bring to the side, Jerrard admitted he favours the number 10 role.


He said: “My best position is behind the striker in a number 10 role.
“Last season I was playing centre-mid but I can play a number of positions. Just doing my bit for the team with assists, playing well every week and grafting for the team, giving 100 per cent and seeing what I can do.”


Having spent time with the reserves and away on loan, Jerrard believes the extra playing time was a useful “stepping stone” on his path to the first team.


“The reserves football was great for me as we had some great players. I went on loan to Petersfield and Gosport. It’s a lot different to reserve football but it’s a good stepping stone. 


“It’s also good to see that reserves like Billy Mitchell, Sol Ayunga and Tom Blair got into the first team,” he added.