BOSS Matty Holmes revealed Wimborne Town hitman Toby Holmes had committed his short-term future to the club before describing his decision as “a great coup”.

The prolific frontman has penned a new and improved contract at Cuthbury, tying him to the ambitious Southern League West outfit at least until the end of next season.

Toby Holmes, a window fitter by trade, has plundered 54 goals this season – including no fewer than six hat-tricks in his past 15 league and cup appearances.

His exploits have spearheaded Magpies’ promotion bid, while his treble against Shaftesbury on Tuesday helped them lift the Dorset Senior Cup for the first time since 1997.

The 25-year-old, who had brief spells in the Southern Premier League with Poole and Dorchester, made his mark in the non-league ranks for Parley Sports in the Dorset Premier League.

He agreed terms on a new 15-month deal following talks with boss Matty Holmes, acting-chairmen Tony Grant and Ken Stewart and commercial director Graham Bell.

Manager Holmes told the Daily Echo: “Toby knows he is in a team which provides goals for him. He is improving and knows he is in the right environment.

“He wants to get better. If we were to get offers from full-time football, which is quite a few divisions above, then we would not stop him moving on. But he wants to be a part of what we are trying to do, which is great news.

“We spoke to him and the finances weren’t huge. If he had demanded a lot of money, we would not have been able to keep him but he was very sensible.

“He is a clever boy. He knows that if he is at a club which is progressing and plays to his strengths, he is going to be happy. Everything ticks the right boxes for him here.

“We know there may come a time when an offer comes in which he can’t refuse. We would tell him and it would be his decision.”

Asked whether he felt it would be difficult to keep together the rest of his squad, Matty Holmes added: “They know there is a pathway, they know the way we are trying to play and have bought into it.

“We have near enough secured most of the team already and are talking to the others. If big offers were to come in then they would have to seriously think about it, even if they were on contract.

“When we first came in, we had lads who won a game and then lost three and have managed to turn around that mentality.

“We want to be part of their football development where they go on to bigger and better things and, hopefully, that will be with Wimborne.

“We desperately want to go through the leagues but it has to be stepping stones and we can’t get above our station.”

Third-placed Wimborne will face a stern examination of their promotion credentials when they host champions Taunton Town at Cuthbury on Saturday (3pm).

Matty Holmes added: “They are champions and deservedly so. We had a really tough game there a couple of weeks ago when we drew 3-3.

“We had Scott Arnold sent off and showed great character to get a point with a late equaliser. But we deserved something from the game.

“I am sure it will be another great game and just hope we get a really good home crowd. We had 700 here against Salisbury and the atmosphere was brilliant. It is great for the boys to play in front of a crowd and gives them a boost.”