LONG-SERVING boss Tom Killick welcomed Eddie Mitchell’s prospective involvement with Poole Town and backed the former Cherries chairman to deliver a permanent home to be proud of.

Mitchell, who had a spell as a non-league chairman with Dorchester Town prior to his stint at Dean Court, acquired a two-year option to purchase a majority shareholding in Dolphins earlier this month.

Following the announcement, the Sandbanks-based property developer revealed plans for a new facility which he hopes to put on Poole’s current Tatnam site or close to the town centre.

Killick, who took charge in 2004, has played a pivotal role in the club’s renaissance in recent years, achieving an unprecedented four league titles and three promotions.

And with the club “desperate” for their facilities to match Killick’s on-field ambition for Conference South football, the manager feels Mitchell is the man to finally end Poole’s long-standing stadium struggle.

On Mitchell’s potential arrival, Killick told the Daily Echo: “From what I understand the future of the club is safeguarded and there are no negative aspects to him being around.

“His input can only assist us. He has expertise in the sourcing and development of land and we badly need to improve our facilities.

“He has a lot of contacts and experience from his time with AFC Bournemouth and his involvement with Dorchester Town.

“As a manager, there is always an element of short-term thinking because you have to get results here and now to have a future.

“But you also have a responsibility to look at the longer term and everyone is desperate for Poole to get better facilities at our current ground or at a central location.

“He has a reputation for making things happen and, hopefully, he can help to deliver the significantly better facilities everyone at Poole Town wants to see.

“It can only be a good thing because I cannot see him getting involved just to end up entertaining people in a portakabin.”

In the short term, Poole have until March 31 to complete work on a new stand, turnstile, toilets and social facilities for Tatnam to achieve the FA’s C grade, necessary for Southern League Premier Division clubs.

But Killick added that the need for a more suitable solution had become more pressing since climbing the non-league ladder.

“We were not left exposed by our lack of facilities in the past,” said Killick.

“Generally, the grounds weren’t great in the Wessex League but when we got promoted it became more of an issue.

“At our current level, it gets quite cruelly highlighted most weeks. When visiting clubs come and vocalise their disappointment we can understand it and, as a club, it is quite embarrassing for us.”