PERSISTENCY has paid off for VT FC boss Dave Diaper who has landed two of his long-term targets.

Wideman Paul West and striker Neil Williams are finally on board at Portsmouth Road after a lengthy wait.

Diaper first attempted to sign West from BAT towards the end of 2004, but the Tobaccomen managed to prove he was under FA contract.

West subsequently moved to Totton and Hamble ASSC where, yet again, his lack of discipline threatened to overshadow his abundance of skill.

Diaper, though, is not put off by West's reputation and said: "It doesn't bother me one bit. One of my strengths is my man-management.

"Paul's clearly got a hell of a lot of potential and if we can help him develop that we should see a much improved player.

"I believe in being open and up front with players. They are no good to me sitting on the sidelines for most of the season and it's also costly for the club. We can't afford to be paying out willy-nilly on fines."

Williams, scorer of 27 league and league cup goals for Blackfield & Langley in Wessex 2 last term, was another of Diaper's long-term targets.

"I tried to sign Neil a couple of seasons back but wasn't successful," revealed the VT boss. "I've kept an eye on him ever since and he's been very consistent."

Former Totton and Eastleigh defender Dave Fear has been appointed boss of VT's reserves, assisted by coach Gavin Dobson. He will double up as manager of one of the club's under-18 sides.

l Wimborne Town have made their first three summer signings.

Former Lymington & New Milton pair Ben Thomson and John Mulhern will add width to the side, while Magpies' know all about the scoring prowess of Gareth Barnes, who was regularly banging in goals at Cuthbury before a brief spell with Lymington last term.