Ian Ridley is back as Terras chairman after a four-and-a-half-year absence

Blue Square Premier side Weymouth are to revert to employing their players on a part-time basis from next season.

The club, who were taken over on Monday by a consortium led by journalist Ian Ridley, their former chairman, are thought to be around £500,000 in debt.

Ridley told BBC Radio Solent: "We need volunteers as I imagine we are going to go part-time next year.

"We are throwing ourselves at the mercy of our fans. We will need their input to help fund it."

A new board has been formed at the Wessex Stadium, with another former chairman Paul Cocks also investing a large amount into the club.

The board will also include Dave Higson, who returns for a second spell as the club's vice-chairman, along with Ridley, Cocks and Shaun Hennessy.

On taking over at Weymouth, the board stated that their immediate priority was to "reorganise the club's perilous finances."

606: DEBATE This was possibly the best Weymouth side ever assembled this season and now that it has been ripped apart, realism is the way forward. evvyWFC

Ridley also confirmed that Weymouth manager Alan Lewer has been given a budget to strengthen his squad following a run of seven consecutive defeats.

Earlier this month, potential saviour Stephen Beer changed his mind and decided not to invest in the Terras.

Beer did a U-turn after suffering a stroke on his way to a news conference to detail a £300,000 investment in the club.

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