FORMER Weston-super-Mare boss Craig Laird has been chosen as the man to guide Dorchester Town up the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier.
The Magpies have turned to experienced Laird as their new manager to replace Mark Jermyn who stood down after the Boxing Day draw with Weymouth.
Laird opted to leave Southern South & West club Bridgwater Town to take up the Dorchester reins and walks into a club now six games unbeaten following Monday's draw at Basingstoke Town.
The Magpies' new boss spent four successful years at Weston, guiding them to their highest ever league position of seventh in the Conference South.
Since leaving the Woodspring Stadium in 2014, he has managed Yate Town and then returned to Bridgwater for a second spell in charge last May.
Stuart Heath and Nathan Walker took charge of Dorchester's 1-1 stalemate at Basingstoke on Monday and Laird's first game in charge will be Saturday's visit of Banbury United.
The Magpies, although in good form, are still 16th in the Southern Premier table and are ten points clear of the bottom four.
A Bridgwater statement read: “It is with regret we have to report that Craig Laird, our first team manager, has tendered his resignation.
“Craig will leave our club with immediate effect to take up a similar role at Southern League Premier Dorchester Town.
“We are extremely grateful to Craig for his efforts in starting the process of rebuilding BTFC in what have been extremely challenging circumstances.
“He leaves us on excellent terms and will always be a welcome visitor at Fairfax Park.”
