WEYMOUTH goalkeeper Steve Boore is determined to make the most of his “second chance” in football, and is hoping to stake his claim for a first-team spot with the Terras towards the end of next season.
Having left Yeovil Town as a youngster and then headed out the exit door at Blackfield & Langley, Boore admitted that he thought “that’s it, football is finished for me”.
But, having rekindled his desire for the game at Chickerell United, Boore, who is from Chickerell, was spotted by Weymouth and admits he is loving being part of the set-up at the Bob Lucas Stadium.
The shot-stopper, who featured on dual-registration for Bridport and Hamworthy United last term, has also agreed to stay with the club and fight for a first-team spot alongside player-manager Jason Matthews next season.
“I am a local lad and I had no intention of leaving,” Boore told Echosport.
“Obviously there were a few clubs that were interested but as soon as I knew Weymouth wanted me to stay, it was simple.”
He added: “I was at Yeovil before, then Blackfield & Langley and basically packed in after that. Then I went to Chickerell for two years.
“When I left Yeovil it was doom and gloom really, I thought ‘that’s it, football is finished for me’. But I have had a second chance to be fair, they have given me a second chance. They have given me that hunger to be there.
“He (Matthews) sent me out to Bridport to get some minutes last season. Hopefully, now I have stayed at the club, towards the end of next season I am going to be knocking on that door and saying ‘give me a chance Jase’.
“I know Jase is the best keeper in the league. He has his critics or whatever but deep down I know he is the best keeper in that league.
“I want to learn the league before I progress to that level – it’s a hell of a step up from Bridport’s league to Weymouth’s level.
“He is probably going to start off as the number one keeper but I am going to try my best to work hard in pre-season, get my shape, and then work hard on what he thinks I need to work hard on.”