New Weymouth manager Jamie Wells has spoken of his excitement at taking charge of the club, pledging to build a competitive environment following the departure of Steve Claridge.
While Claridge’s dismissal may have appeared inevitable from the outside, his spell in charge was marked by difficult circumstances, including a lengthy injury list and the loss of influential players such as David Mantle and Callum Watts. Despite a run of 12 defeats in 20 matches, performances had begun to show signs of improvement, and results could have been very different with a little more fortune.
However, with Weymouth sitting 21st in the Southern League table and three points adrift of safety, the club opted to make a change, promoting first-team coach Wells to the managerial role.
Speaking in his first media interview, Wells expressed confidence that he and returning director of football Jason Matthews can help steer the Terras away from danger and climb the table.
Wells said he was delighted with the opportunity, highlighting his long-standing connection with the club and his determination to help move it forward. He explained that both he and Matthews have experienced the highs and lows at Weymouth and are keen to use that knowledge to guide the team through a challenging period.
The new boss stressed that the primary objective is to secure Southern League survival this season before building towards the future. He believes performances have not been far off the required standard, pointing to fine margins, missed chances, and occasional lapses in concentration as the difference between results and disappointment.
Wells oversaw his first training session on Tuesday evening ahead of Saturday’s derby against Dorchester. He was joined by Matthews, along with coaches Lee Spalding and Charlie Griffin, who have remained in their roles to provide continuity.
According to Wells, the session was positive, with players responding well and showing good spirits. He noted that his existing relationships within the squad helped ease the transition and added to an optimistic atmosphere, boosted further by the presence of a few new faces.
Looking ahead, Wells believes improvement must come through being more clinical in attack and cutting out avoidable defensive errors. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening the squad to increase competition, which he feels will raise standards in both training and matches.
Wells explained that his main focus will be on coaching and matchday preparation, while Matthews will concentrate on recruitment and helping establish the competitive culture they are aiming to create.
Weymouth will be hoping this marks the final managerial change of the season, following earlier spells under Claridge and Warren Feeney. Wells’ tenure begins with a tough test, as the Terras travel to The Avenue Stadium to face local rivals Dorchester in a crucial derby on Saturday afternoon.