WIMBORNE Town boss Steve Cuss believes he has landed the area’s top non-league stopper after winning the race for Jason Harvell’s services.

Cuss confirmed on Sunday that Magpies had agreed terms to sign the highly-rated goalkeeper from Bournemouth Poppies.

A former Wessex League winner with Poole Town, Harvell made 33 Wessex Premier starts for Poppies last season.

But having impressed at step five level, he has taken the opportunity to move up to the Southern League with Wimborne.

Cuss, who had already recruited four new players since taking the Magpies reins from Alex Browne, revealed a number of rival clubs had been on the trail of former Cherries trainee Harvell.

The Cuthbury manager said: “He was on our list of targets and was a player I was looking to bring in, so I made contact at the end of the season.

“He had a few offers from a few other clubs. He is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper on the local non-league scene.

“I met him and told him what we were trying to do at Wimborne and how that could affect him and help him. And I am delighted that he is joining us.

“He is commanding, a good shot-stopper, has good hands and he distributes the ball to a very high standard.

“He is just a good all-round keeper and one a lot of clubs would love to have on their books.”

Magpies have also agreed terms with goalkeeper Dan Ackerman. He made 23 Wessex League starts for Hamworthy United last term.

Cuss confirmed that Jakub Malara, one of Wimborne’s stoppers last season, could still be given the chance to prove himself in pre-season. But he reported that Alan Walker-Harris would be leaving Cuthbury.