WARREN Bentley says his move to Weymouth is one of the most exciting he has made after his signing from Poole Town was announced.
The striker scored 17 times in the National League South for the Dolphins last season, in which they were relegated, and joins Abdulai Baggie and goalkeeping coach Robbie Yates in having made the move over the past year.
Bentley said: “It is probably one of the most exciting moves I have made, because of the size of Weymouth.
“It is the biggest non-league side that I know of in the south region. Mark (Molesley, Weymouth manager) was telling me about the club. I have spoken to other people about the club and they have only had really good things to say about it. I am really excited to get started.”
Bentley is already familiar with some of his new teammates, having played with Baggie at Poole last season, as well as having played with Josh Carmichael from their time at Gosport Borough. He also knows fellow new signing Tony Lee.
Bentley said: “I know a couple of the boys already in the squad, which should help me fit in as quickly as possible. I have only heard good things about the club from them.”
Weymouth have seen just three players leave out of the group that achieved fifth with 97 points in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division last season.
Asked if the stability of the side is reassuring when joining a new side, Bentley said: “It is obviously a testament to Mark and his management team that they have got everyone to stick around. There is a young hungry side and that is one of the reasons that I wanted to join really.
“The club has got the right infrastructure to make the move up and talking to the guys at the club, Tom (Prodomo, assistant manager), Mark and Paul (Maitland, Director of Football) are all desperate to move this club on and have success. It is a great environment to come into due to the success they had last season and where they want to go.”
He will now face his old side later this season, due to the Dolphins’ relegation into the Southern League South.
Bentley said: “It will be a strange one, there is a really good group of lads that they have got down in Poole but once Weymouth have come in and shown interest I just could not turn down the opportunity.”
