ASHLEY Wells admitted to feeling “a little bit emotional” after his testimonial was finally staged at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

After leaving Weymouth in 2020, following a decade-long association with the Terras spanning 302 matches, Wells had to wait three years for what he terms ‘a proper goodbye’.

And, although a knee injury cruelly robbed him of the chance to grace the Weymouth turf once more, his Wellsy XI edged an 11-goal epic 6-5 against Dorchester Legends.

Reflecting on a night in which both teams were packed full of past stars, Wells expressed his gratitude for the experience.

He told the gathered media: “It’s an amazing stadium, ten years and I left three years ago during Covid so I never really got that goodbye.

READ MORE: Wellsy XI 6-5 Dorchester Legends - Ashley Wells testimonial report

“Unfortunately, I’m injured so I couldn’t play. Even just arriving at the ground, I had so many fond memories of how much I achieved here.

“The same goes for both sets of players, legends in their own rights.

“Seeing Skinns (Jamie Skinner) out here, nine years ago, a career-ending injury, just to see him back in a Weymouth kit, you do get a little bit emotional.

“It’s always a club that will be so close to my heart, so it was an amazing day.”

Asked for his match highlight, Wells replied: “There’s a lot to choose from.

“Ben Watson, his goal, he’s a good player and he’s still got it. You never lose it, a great finish.

“The boys at Weymouth, it did feel a little unfair for the Dorch lads!

"I had some (National League) players playing like Ollie (Harfield), Jake (McCarthy) and Josh (McQuoid).

“You can really see the steps between the leagues. When they came back on they light it up and Yeti (Stewart Yetton) he knows where the goal is.

“As a whole, it was very good for me.”

Some 405 fans turned out to watch a high-quality testimonial and Wells was typically modest in his response to the turnout.

He said: “It’s just to say bye to everyone. It’s such a big stadium and it was the fact that I never got to see anyone before I left.

“I didn’t get to play that last game, so just to see so many people turn out for me and the lads, it’s an amazing thing.

“Everyone wants to play and the crowds do help you. Even though I was (on the touchline) and didn’t know what I was doing!

“Looking out and seeing everyone, it was amazing. I’m very grateful for everything they did for me in ten years.

“It shows how good of a fanbase this place has and how (much) they mean to me, and I mean to them.”