Thomas can lift Terras - FRY
By Matt Pitman

Wednesday 12th January 2005

Posh boss Barry is backing his Jamaican star Bradley

BARRY Fry today backed Bradley Thomas to make a 'big impact Weymouth.

The Peterborough United manager allowed the defender to join the Terras a month's loan with a view to a permanent deal.

The Jamaican under-23 international netted his new side's winner Carshalton at the weekend.

And the colourful Posh boss reel Thomas will prove a hit on the south coast.

Fry told Echosport: "Bradley's a great lad and I've got no doubt whatsoever he will do really well down at Weymouth.

"He's a big, strong and quick defender and I'm delighted to have helped Steve Johnson out by allowing him to join the Terras.

Brad's now 20 and has been us at Peterborough since a kid.

"He's always been a promising promising but the problem he's found is that we have a reserve game every few weeks and his first team chances have been limited.

"He's at a stage now when he needs playing first team football week in week out and hopefully he 11 get that at Weymouth.

"They are a huge club in non-league circles and I can't think of a better club for him to join because they have fanbase and seem to be on the way after a few years in the doldrums.

"Brad scored on his debut which is a great start and I'm sure Steve want to sign him up permanently wth a few more performances like that.

"If he does, there will be no-one pleased than me.

I really hope things work out for Brad because he's a good lad who listens and learns and I'm sure he'll make a big impact down there."

Fry revealed he still keeps a close eye on fortunes at the Wessex Stadium after enjoying some mammoth tussles with the Terras during the late 1980s when in charge of Barnet.

"I'm a great lover of non-League football and also keep an eye on what's going on down at Weymouth," he said.

"I've got some great memories of facing them when I was at Barnet, back then they were a big, big club and it's been a real shame to see how they have fallen.

"I honestly thought they were on the way back last year when Steve Claridge took over, who I used to manage at Birmingham, along with lan Ridley as chairman who I also know well.

"It was disappointing to see them narrowly miss out on promotion last season and I felt especially sorry for Steve who I've got a lot of time for.

"Obviously there has been a lot of upheaval since then and quite a bit of disruption which never helps a club.

"But although I don't know the new people down there too well, I wish them well because Weymouth deserve to get back into the Conference at the very least.

"They're moving up the table now and if they can get into the play-offs then who knows?"

Meanwhile keeper Jason Matthews is on the verge of penning a new contract with the Terras.

His current deal expires at the end of this season, but Johnson sees the former Exeter City man as his long-term number one.

"Jason's deal expires at the end of this season and naturally he is a bit concerned about what my long-term plans for him are," he said.

"But I've told him I want him to stay and we're planning on getting a contract sorted shortly"

• Johnson has abandoned his chase for Lewes midfielder Paul Kennett after having a second bid turned down.

He said: "It's a shame but I fully understand Lewes' decision. I wouldn't want to get rid of my best players either."