DORCHESTER Town have made their 17th signing of the summer after Jason Brookes agreed terms to re-join the Magpies next season.

The popular midfielder, who returns to the club for a second spell having ended the previous campaign with AFC Totton, initially signed for Dorchester in the summer of 2014 and also coaches the Magpies’ KixStart Ability Counts teams.

Brookes joins a number of midfielders already to have signed with Dorchester, including Charlie Davis, Sam Lanahan, Luke Winsper, Billy Lowes and Sean Wright.

Commenting on the deal, Brookes said: “I’m delighted to be back at a club that’s so close to my heart. That’s something once I spoke to Callum (Brooks, boss) and heard that it might be a possibility I was just keen to do it as soon as I could.

“I know a lot of the lads that have signed as well like Shane (Murphy), Charlie and Lanners, and with everyone else getting on board it’s such exciting times I just had to be part of it. 

“You know I wouldn’t be able to stand by, seeing Dorch having this exciting time and not be part of it!

“I can’t wait to get going. Last season obviously I didn’t really want to leave originally – I love the club and didn’t want to go anywhere else, but it didn’t work out with Steve Thompson so I went to Totton. 

“I enjoyed my time there, it was great and I played a lot of football which was good.

“I feel fit and ready to go – I’ve just got to work hard now, try and get into Callum’s team and show what I can do for Dorch again.”

Speaking on his latest signing of the summer, manager Brooks said: “I am pleased to have yet another squad member who bleeds the black and white of Dorchester Town. 

“Brookesy carries out some amazing work around the club as a key member of the KixStart programme, and his love for the club was evident during my encounters with Jason over recent weeks.

“Brookesy is not a player that I have worked with before but other players have spoken very highly of him to me, not just with regards to what he can offer on the pitch but his presence and effect in the dressing room, and his likeable character around the club.

“Jason is well aware that he is coming into a strong group and that he will need to be at his very best to get minutes on the pitch, however he is willing to fight for his shirt whilst continuing to offer the other supports around the place as a whole.” 

“The combination of all of these positive things makes signing Brookesy a no brainer and another step forwards for the football club.”