CHAIRMAN Ken Stewart is backing quiet man Steve Cuss to help Wimborne Town make a big noise by fulfilling their ambitious three-year plan.

Magpies are halfway through their project and Stewart believes boss Cuss has the credentials to complete the job – by launching a title bid next term.

Stewart has revealed that Cuss is already well on course to complete the second leg of the Magpies vision, which is to achieve a mid-table finish this season.

The Cuthbury chief, who has been at the club’s helm for six years, also thinks Cuss can finish his mission by battling for honours during 2013-14.

Stewart was part of the Wimborne hierarchy which handed Cuss his first managerial role as Alex Browne’s successor in April 2011.

And he is confident that the former Poole Town assistant is learning fast in Southern League Division One South & West.

Stewart told the Daily Echo: “We are very pleased at the moment. When Steve Cuss came in, he was left with about three players. His remit was to keep us in the league, which he did last season.

“This season, we want to come around halfway then, next season, we want to look to go for the league. That is our three-year plan. I think that if we manage to keep the team together, they can only improve as we’ve got a good bunch of players. If we do manage to get to the play-offs this season, that would be a bonus for us.

“We have got to walk before we run. We are on a budget here and Steve is doing well on the budget he has got. We are always on the look-out for good players. They have to be well priced – we don’t pay silly money and Steve understands that.”

While Stewart insists Wimborne will not break the bank, Cuss has used his local contacts and background as AFC Bournemouth’s community chief to build a much-improved squad.

Allied to the proven non-league experience provided by the likes of Scott Arnold, Jason Harvell and Micky Hubbard, the youthful Magpies additions have helped the club to 10th position following a solid start to the current campaign.

However, Stewart admits greater funds could be required to help Cuss mastermind a promotion bid next term.

Stewart added: “Steve is learning his trade very well and goes about it in a quiet way, unlike other managers, and I think we can look forward to a better future. We are realistic at this club and we know that to get to where we want to be will take time and, maybe, a bit more money. But we have got to have a good season and look at it at the end of the season.”

Wimborne will not have to wait long for a chance to prove their credentials – with league leaders Hungerford Town the visitors to Cuthbury tomorrow (3pm).

Magpies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Cole, Costello, Brian, Sainsbury, Gill, Hubbard, Webb, Jeffes, Davidson, Smith, Blake, Peprah-Annan, Kemble, Roast, Maybury, Ackerman (gk).