What a difference a year makes
By Derek Bish

Wednesday 10th February 2010

A YEAR ago today, strikes from Ryan Williams and Stuart Beavon seemed to have thrust Weymouth into the promotion race to the Football League.

However, their goals against Torquay United – who went on to earn promotion via the play-offs – would be the last winning strikes Terras’ fans would be able to celebrate for the rest of the campaign.

Weymouth picked up just one more point all season as they crashed down to the Blue Square South, a division in which they are fighting relegation once again after 12 months of financial uncertainty.

It was a pivotal point in the recent history of Weymouth Football Club, and in some ways the end of an era.

More than a dozen players handed in their 14-day notices on the same day, having not been paid for a number of weeks, and left the club shortly after.

Echosport looks back at the 11 players that started that night and asks, where are they now?

Danny Knowles

Knowles’ clean sheet that night was Weymouth’s last for nine months – the next being a 0-0 draw against Woking on November 17, with Ryan Harrison the new man between the posts.

After a brief spell at Woking the shot stopper left to join Eastbourne, a club at which he has established himself as their number one.

Scott Doe

The 21-year-old defender used the release from his Weymouth contract to have a crack at making it in the Football League.

Since leaving the Wessex Stadium he has established himself in John Still’s promotion-chasing Dagenham & Redbridge side in League Two.

Santos Gaia

Brazilian defender switched to Crawley Town for the rest of the 2008-2009 campaign following the end of his Weymouth deal.

He had the opportunity to join Rushden & Diamonds in the summer but is reported to have turned down a sizeable offer in favour of moving to Cornish side Truro City.

Cameron Mawer

Rejoined Grays Athletic after his Weymouth adventure crumbled.

Featured regularly for the Essex side this campaign but has headed back to the south coast under new Terras’ manager Jerry Gill.

Kevin Sandwith

The 31-year-old could be heading to the Football League with Oxford United at the end of this campaign as they chase the Blue Square Premier title, as well as a trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy.

Featured several times for United last season after leaving Weymouth and has been a fixture in the majority of their games this term.

Stephen Reed

The talented left-footer is back at the Wessex after agreeing a loan deal from League Two side Macclesfield Town until the end of the season.

Reed made one appearance for Macclesfield since joining in the summer, paving the way for his Weymouth return.

James Coutts

After a spell in the USA, Coutts is back in Britain and looking to establish himself at the top end of non-League again with one eye on breaking into the Football League.

The ex-Bournemouth player had a brief spell with Blue Square South leaders Newport County at the back end of last year and is now with the Terras’ rivals Dorchester Town.

Chris McPhee

Since joining Kidderminster last season, McPhee has made a major impression on the Harriers and narrowly missed out on the play-offs – losing out by two points to Stevenage Borough.

He hopes to go one better this time around and has been a key figure in the Kidderminster midfield again.

Ryan Williams

Club captain Williams opened the scoring that night for Weymouth, but now plies his trade for Mansfield Town in the Blue Square Premier.

The diminutive midfielder has made a huge mark at the Field Mill Ground and is aiming to guide his new club back into League Two.

Stuart Beavon

Unsurprisingly, the Terras’ then top scorer has arguably made the biggest noises since leaving the Wessex Stadium – moving to League One side Wycombe Wanderers.

Although injury affected the early part of his Wanderers’ career, he has started every game since returning to the Wycombe XI when Wanderers drew 1-1 with Leeds United at Elland Road in January.

Lee Phillips

After a highly successful first spell at the Terras in the early part of the century, much was expected of him when he returned in 2009.

However, his most recent spell lasted just a handful of games before switching to Cambridge United, where he has had to settle for a regular place on the bench.