GROUNDSMAN William Ron-ald has received glowing praise from Weymouth Foot-ball Club.

The pitch at the Wessex Stadium has been kept in superb condition despite the unpredictable weather of the past couple of months and the Terras are keen to express their appreciation.

Weymouth chief executive Gary Calder said: "When the club announced that it had to cut costs in January, William Ronald said he would continue what he was doing free of charge for a couple of months and we are all very grateful for his time and efforts."

Speaking to Echosport yesterday, Ronald added: "Where the team train on the pitch more and with the weather we have had recently, it has been a testing time. But we try to do our best for the club and will continue doing so until the end of the season when hopefully its future will be resolved.

"Everything that has happened is just one of those things and it is important people don't give up on the team. To be honest it is surprising how many companies actually have. Only AKI and us have really stuck by the club.

"Jason Tindall and the players have done very well of late, they are playing better football than how it was under Garry Hill, and what it needs now is more people to come and support them."

The Terras have also praised speedway team Weymouth Doonans Wildcats who have given them an advance rent payment of five figures.

Wildcats' chairman Phil Bartlett said: "We were asked if we could help out and we were more than happy to do that, and the fact that both clubs can work together is great for the good of the community.

"The club is going through a difficult period and I think it is now time for everyone to get behind it and support it."

A joint ticket, which will gain entry to the Wildcats' Knockout Cup home clash against Stoke on April 20 and Weymouth's Nationwide Conference National encounter against Dagenham & Redbridge at the Wessex Stadium the following day, will be going on sale soon.

More details will be published in Echosport when the offer is finalised.

n Tickets for the Blues Brothers Evening which is being held at the Hotel Prince Regent in Weymouth on April 5 are still on sale.

There are also a few places available for the Spring Golf Classic and evening dinner with Matt Le Tissier on April 11.

Contact Weymouth Football Club's commercial department on 785558 for more details.