FORMER Dorchester Town midfielder Sam Lanahan insisted the motivation behind his move to Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division basement boys Gosport Borough was “excitement”.

Lanahan, who played for Boro in the 2016/17 season, links up with the Hampshire side again – this time with the aim of overhauling a four-point gap to 23rd-placed Dunstable Town to survive the drop.

And, with Dorchester in mid-table obscurity, Lanahan told Echosport his move gave him “something to play for” during the remainder of the season.

He said: “It’s one of those things. (Three weeks) ago I said everything was fine, but it’s not like league football. It changes so quickly and I was happy at Dorch and really enjoyed it.

“Obviously Gosport are in a position where they want to get off the bottom. They’re signing a few players and hopefully they will get a few more in.

“It gives me a bit of excitement – there’s something to play for. I know Rowan Vine the manager there and having been there before I didn’t enjoy it under (Alex) Pike.

“If I score it will make more of a difference than at Dorchester and if we win it will be big.”

Despite securing a new deal with an enhanced financial package, Lanahan admitted he is “a little bit gutted” about leaving the Magpies, for whom he played 111 times, scoring nine goals this season.

He said: “The footballing reason is there is more excitement – we’ll see what happens at the end of the season. It’s a contributing factor that I know the club a little bit.

“I don’t know the club as well as I know Dorch and I’m a little bit gutted about leaving, but the manager (Steve Thompson) hasn’t spoken to me in depth.

“It’s been really quick. There’s been chat this season about (Gosport) wanting me to go back there. I was happy at Dorch and maybe the change in manager helped.

“Alex left and a few more players were signed and it looked a bit more appealing. It’s come round really quickly, but it wasn’t surprising that it’s happened.”