TOM Manley is having second thoughts about hanging up his gloves and could remain at the Terras next term.

The 26-year-old decided to retire at the end of last season due to work commitments but he is now having doubts and has already notified Weymouth boss Brendon King about making a possible U-turn.

Manley, who works as a teacher, told Echosport: “I spoke to Brendon a couple of days ago and told him that maybe I have been a bit hasty.

“I am only 26 and I am beginning to think it is too early to retire.

“It is a huge commitment though.

“There’s travelling down for training two nights a week and of course there are a lot of long journeys and midweek games to take into account too.

“All that alongside work makes for a very busy schedule but I still can’t help having second thoughts.”

He went on to add: “I think I have been feeling this way ever since the Hitchin Town game.

“That feeling of putting in such a big team performance and winning the game to stay up was just fantastic, and I am beginning to think I would really miss all that.

“There is no better feeling in the world than those types of occasions. All the fans were cheering like we had won the league and it was just great to see everyone so happy.

“The supporters down there have always been fantastic to me and in some ways I feel a bit stupid now, particularly after receiving a trophy from Dave Tune at the presentation night to mark my retirement.

“I think I just need to give it some more thought.

“I have really enjoyed the last two years at Weymouth and now the club has a bit more structure under Nigel Biddlecombe, I really think better times could be ahead, so the last thing I want to do is stop playing and then look back in a few years’ time and regret it.”

King is delighted that Manley is considering playing on. He said: “You know what you get with Tom.

“He gives 100 per cent, he is a great trainer and he is fantastic with the likes of Chris Povall.

“He also has two years of experience at this level now so the fact he is having second thoughts is good news for the club but of course he must be given time to make sure he makes the right decision for him.”

* The Terras have announced three pre-season friendlies: Portland Utd (a, July 21), Bristol City XI (h, July 28), Horndean (a, Aug 4).

* The board hope to have full access to the Lloyds bank accounts used by the previous owners by the end of next week.

* The club’s sponsors lounge is to be renamed the Martyn Harrison Lounge in memory of the club’s former chairman.

* A direct debit scheme for the purchase of shares is set to be launched by the end of the month.