DORCHESTER Town have promoted defender George Calverley and striker Joel Hewitt from the Magpies' under-23 squad to the first team.

Full-back Calverley and striker Hewitt have both signed to become part of Robbie Herrera’s senior squad for the 2021/22 Southern League Premier South campaign.

Calverley and Hewitt have both enjoyed spells at Western League club Bridport, while Hewitt has also spent time at Dorchester Sports.

Earlier in the year, Hewitt also smashed a hat-trick for the Magpies' Under-23s against Bridport in a friendly.

Both Calverley and Hewitt have sufficiently impressed first-team staff to become the 12th and 13th signings in the squad for the upcoming season.

Speaking on former Yeovil Town academy defender Calverley, Herrera told the club's official website: “George has been great with us - he came in towards the end of last season with the first team training and didn’t look out of place.

“He's one at left-back we're looking to push on and he’s got good attributes - he's physically strong, got a good engine, and can get up and down the pitch.

“We need to work on his delivery and timing of runs to get forward, as well as his defensive duties, but he’ll get that with us and we’ll have the time to work with him. 

“We're looking for him to push Tiago and try and claim a first team spot."

On last season’s under-23 top goalscorer, Herrera said: “Joel’s come in and he's enthusiastic – obviously, again another one with a lot to learn but he’s got a great work ethic.

“He'll chase and close defenders down, on the ball he's got good ability and he can go past a player.

“He needs to work on his hold-up play but that’s something we will do during the season.”

First-team coach and under-23 assistant manager Brian Churchill said: “I’m really pleased for both Joel and George.

“Both players developed well during last season with the under-23s, they used the enforced Covid break to improve technically and physically, and they will only improve further in the first-team environment as they learn the tactical side.

“Well done chaps - the first of many under-23s we hope to make the transition.”