TERRAS’ star Chris Shephard insists there was another club attempting to capture his signature for next season but he was always keen to agree terms with Weymouth.

Boss Jason Matthews acted quickly to tie down his star playmaker for the 2016-17 campaign last month, as Shephard sat down to pen a fresh one-year deal with chairman Chris Pugsley following the home win over Merthyr.

Reflecting on his new Terras’ contract, the former Exeter City youngster told Echosport: “I’m delighted to stay for another year.

“The chairman and Jase approached me and, there were offers from another club, but I am just really happy at Weymouth.

“With the lads, staff, fans and everything, in my mind my priority was to sort something out at Weymouth. Luckily we agreed on something and it was a no-brainer in the end.

“You have to make sure the deal is right for yourself. With Jase and the chairman, we have quite an open and honest relationship and we were able to discuss a lot of things and get them sorted.

“It wasn’t my intention to get things done early but, at the end of the day, you have in your mind what you want and once that is put on the table you have to think ‘why wouldn’t I take it?’ especially when I’m that happy at the club.”

Shephard has been part of a Terras’ squad that has gelled under Matthews in the last two seasons, and is hopeful that some of his current team-mates will join him in committing their services to the club.

But for now, the Weymouth star is keen to have a careful break with no injury issues – last summer he was involved in a freak ropeswing accident while on honeymoon, which wiped out his pre-season.

He added: “The question (from people) has been ‘don’t do anything silly, will you?!’. I have a busy summer, I’m best man at a wedding and have a stag do in Budapest.

“There will be a few things going on but hopefully I’ll be wrapped up in cotton wool and there will be no ropeswings, zip-wires or stuff like that!”