EDDIE Howe congratulated non-league neighbours Poole Town on their Southern League title triumph and argued their promotion could benefit Cherries.

The Dolphins were crowned champions courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Dunstable nine days ago and will step up to the National South, the sixth tier of English football, next season.

It is arguably the highest level designed for part-time clubs with Poole manager Tom Killick admitting it would be the most sizeable step up of his tenure.

The likes of Joe Quigley and Matt Butcher were sent to Tatnam last season when Poole agonisingly missed out on the title on the last day of the season to Corby Town.

But Cherries counterpart Howe vowed to maintain the good relations built up over a number of years between the Dorset clubs and welcomed the prospect of his young professionals cutting their teeth at Tatnam.

Howe told the Daily Echo: “I think it is great news for Poole and the area as well. I’d like to pass on my congratulations to Tommy and his team.

“They have finally done it and have worked so hard to get into that position. I have a lot of time for Tommy and the club and it is potentially good news for us.

“The relationship between the clubs is very good. We would love to loan them players and of course, the higher the level our lads are playing at, the better.”