VERWOOD Town have named former Poole Town captain Carl Poore as their new permanent manager.

Managerial rookie Poore makes the two-tier jump from Dorset Premier League outfit Cranborne who he will manage for the last time against Wareham Rangers tomorrow.

The former Tatnam stalwart, who captained Poole to promotion from the Wessex League and an FA Vase semi-final in 2011, will watch his new squad in action at Moneyfields on Tuesday before stepping into the Potterne Park dugout for next Saturday’s home clash with Fawley.

And while Poore, who has targeted a push for mid-table next season, admitted it had been a wrench to leave his local club, he felt making the switch now could prove pivotal in his attempts to hold on to Potters’ top young talent.

Poore said: “It’s much better now than at the end of the season. I can speak to the players and tell them where I want the club to be, talk to them as individuals and get them all to stay.

“That’s my aim to start with, to get back all the players for the start of next season along with one or two additions.

“I’m not going to take anything away from the players that are here because I think they deserve a chance but we do need to get the team up to around mid-table.

“Looking at the results, they seem to have done well against the big teams yet struggled against the lesser sides.

“We have to get the mentality into them that it is important to raise their game against everyone, not just when they play the top teams.”

On leaving Cranborne, he added: “I was born and bred there so it was hard.

“The chairman was a great help when I spoke to him and he was happy to see me progress. I think they realise it is good for them as a club that their manager is moving on to a higher level.

“I have a lot of friends there, but I don’t want to manage my mates, I am ambitious and want to manage a football club.”

Potters Chairman Steve Jefferis said: “We had a lot of interest in the manager’s position but the appointment of Carl was a unanimous decision.

“He is local, knows the club and has good contacts and knowledge of the Wessex League as well as the drive and determination to get the best out of players.”