DORCHESTER Town have snapped up five new players as the Magpies returned to pre-season training for the first time yesterday.

Director of Football Shaun Brooks wasted no time in capturing the quintet following the team's first session ahead of the upcoming Blue Square South campaign.

As expected, former Terras defender Roy O'Brien has put pen-to-paper on a return to the Avenue Stadium.

The other four to sign for the county town are youngsters Charlie Henry, Jamie Cumming, Mitchell Nicholson and Tom Mitchell.

O'Brien, who signed a one-year contract will also be involved with the coaching side of the under-18s. The Irishman rejoins the Magpies after seven years away following stints at Yeovil and Weymouth.

Midfielder Tom Mitchell, previously a member of the Portsmouth youth academy, has also signed a one-year deal as has winger Mitchell Nicholson who joins from South Australian Premier League club Croydon Kings.

Rated highly by Brooks to be a rising star, 17-year-old Nicholson is expected to primarily feature in the Magpies' under-18 side this season.

Jamie Cumming, 18, is a fellow Australian who joins the Avenue Stadium outfit from Victorian State League Division One club Frankston Pines on a two-year contract.

Primarily a right-sided full-back, Cumming is an Australian under-20 international, and competed in the FIFA Under-17's World Cup in Peru in 2005.

Completing the quintet of signings is 21-year-old Charlie Henry, a wide player who has joined from fellow Blue Square South side Cambridge City on a two-year deal.

Henry started last season with Grays Athletic but made the move to Milton Road in November and soon became a crowd favourite scoring some spectacular goals with celebrations to match.

Brooks is delighted to have captured his five signings.

He said: "I'm pleased with all the lads. Each one of them will bring something different to the club.

"The younger boys, Nicholson, Cumming and Mitchell are all talented footballers who are ones for the future, and I'm sure we will nurture that talent here at Dorchester.

"Roy of course will bring a wealth of experience to the dressing room. He will also help the younger players develop.

"I've been watching Charlie for a couple of years now, and I know he will score goals for us. He's good on the ball and will no doubt be a real crowd pleaser."

The Magpies' transfer activity may not end here, a number of unnamed trialists were also present at the team's first training session, and Brooks hopes to add to his growing squad next week ahead of the Magpies' first pre-season friendly away to Ringwood on July 17.

"I still think we need to bring in another four of five players in key areas before the season starts. Hopefully we should make another signing on Monday. The lad is coming down from London this weekend and will hopefully put pen-to-paper," he said.

n Former reserve team manager Kevin Hillier says he's disappointed with the decision to axe the side from the Dorset Premier League.

Hillier said: "Nothing surprises me in football but I am disappointed, especially for the young lads because a lot of them had potential."