WEYMOUTH manager Brian Stock has likened the Terras’ status as National League underdogs to his time as a player at Burnley.

Stock, 38, played under Eddie Howe and latterly Sean Dyche for two seasons, helping the Clarets to Premier League promotion in 2013/14 after chalking up 34 appearances.

With Burnley an unfancied Championship outfit, the Lancashire side claimed second place to gain automatic ascent to England’s top flight.

Weymouth have been heavily tipped for relegation from the National League after reaching non-league’s top tier, but Stock is unfazed.

“In my interview, I likened it to how we were at Burnley,” he said.

“As a team we signed a goalkeeper that got relegated from the Championship in Tom Heaton.

“We sold our star striker Charlie Austin to QPR. We had two strikers in the team – Danny Ings and Sam Vokes – who were untested in that league.

“We proved everyone wrong by hard work. Every promotion I’ve achieved as a player has come from that. I’d like to achieve that with the squad.

“Anyone that was not a part of that, or not happy to be part of the 16 or if they’re out of the 16, unfortunately their chances will be limited.”