BASINGSTOKE Town captain funtastic David Ray has re-signed for Dragons on a two year deal and he is a big returnee for the Dragons.

Town boss Terry Brown has also snapped up two new signings to the club in midfielder Richie Whittingham and centre half Joe Gater.

Ray originally joined Town in 2002, as a 17-year-old and went onto make over 200 appearances with the club in his first spell.

He returned to the Dragons in February 2013 and is now the lynchpin of the Basingstoke’s defence.

Ray became club captain at end of 2014 and the born leader and is an ideal role model for the young side that manager Brown is building, for their first assault on the Southern League Premier Division this autumn.

A delighted Brown said: “David brings so much quality and experience to the side at this level. He is an ideal role model.

“He has been at the club on and off for 11 years and he is a Mr Basingstoke like Jason Bristow, so I am pleased both are on board.

“David will be great at helping the young defenders and when he returned at the end of last season from injury, he proved what a difference he makes - as we kept a number of clean sheets.”

New midfielder Whittingham joins Town from Marlow and also a spell at Southern League Premier Division play-off winners Hungerford last season.

Brown first saw the 25-year-old in action as a youngster, when he was manager at AFC Wimbledon.

The Dragons’ boss said: “Richie is a very quick, sharp and likes to play just behind the front two.

"Last season he spent pre-season at Swindon and just missed out.

"He is hungry to return to the pro game and I feel he has a lot of potential.”

New central defender Gater is also no stranger to the new league Basingstoke are coming into this autumn.

He spent three months on loan at Chesham from parent club Barnet last season, who have now released him.

Brown said: “Joe is player who is known by out chief scout Peter Gray.

"We had him watched in his final two games for Chesham last season and he did really well.

"He is a traditional centre half and is a good addition.