Purser in the bag
By ECHO Staff

Wednesday 29th June 2005

TERRAS manager Garry Hill is a `proud' man today after capturing long-time transfer target Wayne Purser.

The 25-year-old striker finally penned a two-year deal last night following more than six weeks of `tense' negotiations with his former Hornchurch boss.

Purser joins Weymouth for a undisclosed fee from League Two side Peterborough United, despite having a year remaining on his contract at London Road.

The former Barnet and Leyton Orient man joined Posh last November after Hornchurch hit financial problems, but was last month told he could leave by new manager Mark Wright.

"Right now I'm the proudest man in world," said Hill. "Everyone knows I've been tracking Wayne for a couple of months and it's fantastic that all the hard work has paid off.

"Obviously I know the lad well because he was with me at Hornchurch and I rate him very, very highly. He's sharp around the box, has plenty of pace and is a proven goalscorer at this level and higher.

"He scored 15 goals in 17 games at Hornchurch and something like six in 13 for Peterborough. That sort of record speaks for itself and I honestly think he can get even better.

"It's a tremendous signing for the club and I couldn't be happier. It's been a tense few weeks working on this one but we've finally got our man.

"It doesn't mean we'll be taking our foot off the gas in terms of trying to strengthen the squad further, but this is a very big piece in the jigsaw. If the season started tomorrow then I'd be very satisfied with the squad we have in place."

Despite spending most of his family holiday in Portugal last week on the phone talking to Purser and his agent, Hill today played down his part in the negotiations.

Instead he heaped praise on Terras chairman Martyn Harrison and chief executive Gary Calder for securing the 5ft 9in attacker's signature.

"The part Martyn Harrison has played in all this has been immense," admitted the manager. "Without him Wayne Purser wouldn't be here because there were bigger clubs than us trying to sign him. He has put both his money and expertise on the line to bring success to Weymouth and he now requires the support of the town to go with it.

"Gary Calder has also worked tirelessly on this deal and all the others we've done during the summer and I'm really grateful to both men.

"I came to this club because it was a sleeping giant which the chairman was determined to wake. He's done his bit by setting the budgets and supporting our team building efforts and he really does deserve to see the Weymouth public turn out in huge numbers next season."

Purser's arrival at the Wessex Stadium means Hill now has four out and out strikers at his disposal, with Chukki Eribenne, Daniel Webb and Kirk Jackson completing the quartet.

"I've got four quality forwards and two shirts available," said Hill, "and that's the way I like it. Competition for places is both important and healthy and there are certainly no plans to move anyone out.

"It will be interesting to see how the four lads respond over the next few weeks. In my experience players either rise to that sort of challenge quickly or not at all.

"I'm confident the response will be good from all four and it's up to them to earn a starting place come the start of the season."