Ex-Seagull aims to fly again

8:34am Tuesday 30th September 2008

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NEW signing Wes Fogden has revealed that a lack of interest from former club Brighton persuaded him to make his loan stay at Dorchester permanent.

The 20-year-old is expected to put pen to paper today on a permanent deal, thought to last until the end of next season.

Having spent a two-month spell on loan with the Magpies last season as well, Fogden has become fond of the Jewson Stadium outfit.

And Brighton's neglect appears to have resulted in Dorchester's gain.

Fogden said: "While I was here on loan the past month I stayed down here and trained day in day out, and in that time I didn't get one phone call from Brighton to see how I was doing so I just felt that I wasn't appreciated or even wanted.

"I wanted to be playing week-in, week-out so that I could put my hard work in and prove it on a Saturday, so I went back to Brighton last Monday and I mentioned how I felt to someone at the club and it got passed on to the manager.

"I had a chat with him on Tuesday and he said that he wanted experienced players to get them out of League One, which I had pretty much known from not getting a phone call.

"Shaun Brooks said he wanted me and Brighton agreed to release me so it was about sorting out the right move for me. I'm happy down at Dorchester, I love the club and they treat me well, so I feel that the effort I put in is now getting rewarded and appreciated.

"A couple of other teams went in for me but I felt this was a good opportunity for me and I've been settled here before when I was on loan last season and for the past month.

"The fans have also been great to me and I just feel welcome at the club."

Despite dropping three tiers in the football pyramid, Fogden is determined to climb back up the ladder.

He added: "I'm going to work hard in training and every game to try and help the team.

"Hopefully with playing well I'll get recognised by clubs in a higher league and use Dorchester as a stepping stone, which is what the club wants, and hopefully it'll be an investment for them as well."

The Magpies visit Newport County tomorrow night in their FA Cup second qualifying round replay.

And Fogden is keen to help Dorchester record their first victory since August 9.

He said: "We just need to keep our composure as when we take the lead everyone gets a rush of blood to the head.

"One win is all we need to get that winning feeling and hopefully that win will come on Wednesday night and we can then get into the next round.

"If we work as hard and play as well as we did in the first half of Saturday's game then hopefully we'll get the win."

Should Dorchester win in Wales, they will be rewarded with a home tie against either Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Aylesbury Vale or Gosport Borough of BGB Division One South & West in the third qualifying round, to be played on Saturday, October 11.