FORMER Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell has acquired a two-year option to purchase a majority shareholding in Poole Town, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

Mitchell, who sold his stake in AFC Bournemouth in September, has concluded a deal with Dolphins owners and directors Clive Robbins and Chris Reeves.

Sandbanks-based property developer Mitchell has pledged to help the progressive Southern League outfit in their bid to build a new stadium.

And should he prove successful, it is likely Mitchell would then exercise the option, join the Poole board and take a controlling interest in the club.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Mitchell confirmed: “I have acquired a two-year option to purchase a majority share. I am working hard behind the scenes to try to help the club find a permanent home. I would only take it up if I had something to offer the club. I wouldn’t take it up just for the sake of it.

“To devote a lot of time to the club away from footballing matters, which is where my strength is, I want to know that if I can bring some good to the table, I would be secure to see it through and that really revolves around a new ground for the club.”

Poole vice-chairman Reeves confirmed Mitchell had said he would only exercise the option once a shareholders’ agreement had been put in place to provide reassurance that the club would “continue to be run in the future in the way it had in the past and all decisions would be made by the board of directors”.

Reeves added: “I have been very impressed with Eddie’s commitment and enthusiasm and he has been a breath of fresh air. He is somebody with influence and the right experience and is keen to help our cause.”

Poole, founded in 1890, have been blighted by ground problems ever since being kicked out of Poole Stadium – their home for 61 years – in 1994.

They have faced a constant battle to find a new stadium despite putting the town on the map by climbing from the Hampshire League to the Southern League in the space of nine years.

Poole moved to its current base on a school playing field at Tatnam in 2005 after ground-sharing with Hamworthy United and Holt United following their departure from Wimborne Road. The club is currently 10 years into a 21-year lease at the venue.