POOLE Town boss Tom Killick hailed new left-back Ian Oliver as “one of the best around” after adding the Bashley defender to his growing squad.

Experienced Oliver ended his three-year stay at Bashley Road to join Killick’s Tatnam revolution alongside AFC Totton trio Jamie Whisken, Richard Gillespie and Jon Davies, and Worcester City defender Jacob Rowe.

After helping Farnborough to the Southern League South & West title in 2008, Oliver featured for Eastleigh in the Conference South before his Bash move.

He went on to make 125 appearances for the New Forest outfit, but the dependable defender decided to move on to pastures new as confusion continues to reign over Bashley’s playing budget ahead of the 2013-14 Southern Premier season.

Dolphins manager Killick quickly swooped to cover an area of his team which had caused concern in the close-season.

The Tatnam boss told the Daily Echo: “We knew we might have some issues with Keith Emmerson’s availability with the Army and personal commitments, so it was important for us to sign a recognised left-back.

“I believe Ian is one of the best around. He is very experienced in the league we are going into and the one above that.

“We are now getting to the point where the majority of our players have experience in the Southern Premier, which will stand us in good stead.”

News of Oliver’s signing was revealed exclusively via the Daily Echo’s Twitter accounts yesterday.