The hysteria surrounding the 43-year-old former Premier League striker’s return, almost five years after his sacking as player-manager, appeared to pay immediate dividends as David Obaze headed the hosts in front inside two minutes.

Bromley though, against the run of play, hit back with two goals in the space of five minutes. And from there the Terras capitulated, seeing the Lilywhites run riot before securing a 5-1 victory which puts Weymouth back into Blue Square South’s bottom three.

Terras’ boss Matty Hale made three changes from the agonising defeat to Havant & Waterlooville last Monday, dropping himself for the returning Claridge, and recalling Matt Townley and Dean Smith in place of the injured Andy Harris and Jordan Rose.

The arrival of Claridge clearly had the home side fuelled with adrenaline and they raced out of the blocks.

Jake Reid charged forward from the kick-off and won a free-kick in a dangerous position just 25 yards from goal.

The effort from Josh Klein-Davies was poor but just seconds later the Terras earned a corner from which they opened the scoring.

Martin Slocombe’s pin-point delivery was met by the head of Obaze and the former Southend United defender bagged his second goal of the season – giving Weymouth the lead after a mere 85 seconds.

Claridge’s first contribution was to set up Chris Allen for a 20-yard effort in the 10th minute, unfortunately the latter fired high and wide under pressure.

The pulsating start subsided and a subdued period followed, but a free-kick from Allen raised the atmosphere inside the ground once again.

Bromley’s Dwane Lee wrestled Matt Groves to the ground, some 25 yards from his own goal, and from the resultant set-piece Allen beat the visitors’ wall but saw his effort come back off the crossbar with keeper Gareth Williams punching the rebound clear of danger.

Allen set Groves free down the left nine minutes later and the winger cut the ball back for an unmarked Claridge, who was hovering on the edge of the Bromley box.

The veteran striker set himself well before sending a curling effort just wide of the far post.

Sixty seconds after Claridge unleashed his first shot of the afternoon, the away side levelled matters with their very first attempt.

Ryan Dolby picked up possession on the right-hand side and then cut in on to his left foot before blasting the ball beyond home gloveman Ryan Harrison.

An equaliser was somewhat harsh on the Terras and they were left scratching their heads again just five minutes later as the Lilywhites took the lead.

Warren McBean somehow managed to dig out a cross from inside the Weymouth penalty, despite the attentions of two home defenders, and strike partner Gareth Williams was left with the simplest of headed finishes.

Reid could have got the Terras back on level terms soon after but was unable to direct Groves’ cross on target.

Weymouth though, almost found themselves two goals adrift in the early stages of the second period. Ryan Hall’s 20-yard strike was spilt by Harrison, who made up for the blunder by saving Gareth Williams’ follow-up. The offside flag spared the Bromley striker’s blushes.

Townley then saw a header cleared by a visiting head from in front of keeper Gareth Williams, and to make matters worse the away side went straight up the other end and extended their advantage.

Hall picked out Dolby and the latter beat Harrison courtesy of a slight deflection off Slocombe’s boot.

The rot continued for Weymouth and McBean added another two goals inside five minutes.

First, the predatory striker fired between the legs of Harrison from Dolby’s pull back, before waltzing past the entire Weymouth backline and then rolling an effort into the far corner.

Dolby could have heaped even more misery on the bewildered Terras but missed the chance to notch his hat-trick by firing into the side netting.

Predictably the match petered out and the Terras were left to reflect on another drubbing at the Wessex as well as seeing their goal difference plunge to minus 16.