DORCHESTER Town chairman Matt Lucas is beginning to get the “buzz” that comes with starting a new season as the club prepares to embark on the upcoming Southern Premier League campaign.

Lucas, along with his army of backroom staff, has been busy behind the scenes at the Avenue Stadium to ready it for the new season and with pieces of the jigsaw starting to fall into place, Lucas told Echosport he can’t wait for the first game.

He said: “I think the buzz is still very much there. I think if you don’t get that new season buzz you shouldn’t be doing what we do, I’m looking forward to it.

“Pre-season games are all very well but at the end of the day people want to see that first league game kicking off and hopefully the squad will be raring to go.”

Dorchester have made a number of signings in the summer and have brought in highly-regarded players such as Billy Lowes and Sam Lanahan, in addition to former Leicester City goalkeeper Chris Weale.

“I think with Chris Weale the experience that he has will not only serve us well within his role as goalkeeper but that confidence that Chris has as an individual will bring so much help to the rest of the team, in a way.

“I think him being there and his presence will have such a good effect with the rest of the players, both young and old,” Lucas said.

“I thought Billy Lowes and Sam Lanahan looked very good together. Sam chipped in with a goal on his return and looked very dangerous with the ball at his feet.

“The local lads have really blended in well and there does seem to be a real unity and focus at this stage of the season – that’s a real plus point.”

Asked where he would like to see the Magpies finish this season, Lucas revealed he wants the club to “aim as high as we can”.

He said: “My personal view would be that I would be very happy to be around the mid-table mark, but I think it would be great if we’re in touch and in reach of the play-offs.

“I think it’s important that everyone sets their sights as high as possible. I want us to aim as high as we can and as long as we can stay in touching distance the rest of the season will be very interesting for us.”

With Dorchester being a community-owned club, Lucas feels the supporters have been kept informed on developments at the Avenue.

“The supporters have seen a certain amount of what we’ve done this season already with regards to the players we’ve brought in.

“We’ve had a fans’ forum and questions were answered. We have given them our intentions with the support of the coaching team and the acquisitions this season. I’d like to think they see us working hard,” he said.

And Lucas is hoping for good backing from the town as a whole as the club looks to make steps towards being the “community hub” of Dorchester.

He said: “My plea would be for everyone to come out and support us this season.

“Let’s really get behind the team. One thing we are most definitely keen on is being that community hub in the town and because of that we very much want to engage.

“We’re just looking all the time to strengthen our ties with the town. I just hope that everyone will come along in force and support the players and everything that we do as a club.”