VICE-chairman Chris Reeves revealed Poole Town is planning for a long-term future at Tatnam – but proposals over Poole Stadium could change matters in a heartbeat.

Addressing a fans’ forum on Wednesday, Reeves expressed four key concerns over moving – security of tenure, ensuring facilities are fit for purpose, manageable overheads and confidence over revenue streams.

The long-serving Dolphins director said it was his understanding that developers wanted to move "very quickly" on a complete rebuild of the Wimborne Road site, which currently hosts the town's speedway club and greyhound racing.

But in explaining why staying put remains the number-one choice, Reeves insists returning to a revamped version Poole’s former home has yet to be flushed out of the pipeline.

Reeves told the Daily Echo: “There are three reasons, the first being that we built Tatnam and have had so much success here.

“The supporters love it because it came after years in the wilderness and playing at godforsaken places. There is a huge amount of affection for our home.

“Secondly, it is reality for us. We are here and maybe we feel we have a bit more control over this place than we would anywhere else.

“Thirdly, perhaps the stadium feels a bit too good to contemplate.

“That said, if we could be sure of going to a brand new Poole Stadium with all the facilities we could wish for, good quality revenue streams and not being crippled by overheads then that would be the preferred option because in theory, there would be no limit to our ambition.”

In the short term, the Dolphins board estimates Tatnam needs a £70,000 spruce up to meet National League requirements – the Football Association’s B grade – by March 31, 2017 should Southern League leaders Poole win promotion this season.

Bringing together the two existing seated stands, installing three extra turnstiles and added hospitality facilities are the most sizeable tasks with the potential for more cost should the club fall short of the minimum capacity requirement of 3,000.

Along with that expenditure, Poole may have to hand back approximately £150,000 in grants already spent on Tatnam should they then choose to move on, although Reeves hopes any bill could be wiped out by the site being used for community football projects.

But with continued investment required and a 10-year lease in place, tentative plans are coming together to create a home on the site of Oakdale South Road Middle School that is of benefit to both parties.

“Should it go ahead, there would be a slightly bigger stand with facilities underneath it that could be used by the school during the week,” added Reeves.

“It would be dual use. The school would get extra classrooms and we would have the facilities to operate at the level we’re at and hope to be in the future.

“We’ve probably spent the best part of £500,000 since we’ve been here and £300,000 of that has been in the past three years.

“That alone suggests we are not going to be kicked out after 10 years but if we are going to spend a hell of a lot more money, a longer stay is something we will expect.”

On the capacity issue, Reeves said: “It has to be a concern. We have to satisfy the ground grading requirements but that extra capacity could easily be accommodated by terracing without any particular encroachment on the site than is currently in place.”

Meanwhile, the club’s plea for help with stewarding, selling programmes, pitch preparation and miscellaneous tasks on match days was received well by approximately 50 supporters in attendance.

“There was a very good atmosphere with some positive contributions. We were very pleased with the turnout and response,” said Reeves.

Dolphins host Histon tomorrow (3pm) with Michael Walker likely to miss out due to a recurrence of his injury at Redditch in midweek. Steve Devlin and Richard Gillespie are sidelined.

  • Wimborne Town travel to fellow strugglers Marlow in Southern South & West tomorrow.

In the Sydenhams Wessex Premier, Poppies entertain Folland Sports, Hamworthy United host Alresford Town and Lymington Town take on visitors Newport.

Christchurch host Fleet Spurs in Wessex One, New Milton Town travel to Tadley Calleva and Ringwood Town journey to Totton & Eling (all 3pm).

  • In the Wessex Premier on Wednesday, Lymington Town were thumped 5-0 at Sholing.

Shane Sheridan scored in New Milton's 1-0 victory at Andover New Street, while Christchurch's home clash with Tadley Calleva was abandoned due to floodlight failure.