Bash boss Gray sees benefits in potential merger (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bash boss Gray sees benefits in potential merger

7:00am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Non league football By Ian Wadley

BASHLEY boss Frank Gray believes it could prove beneficial for his club to merge with neighbours New Milton Town.

The Daily Echo revealed yesterday that more than a decade of protracted negotiations over the move could finally come to a conclusion this summer.

Milton chairman John Breaker and Bash counterpart Richard Millbery both confirmed they were keen to push through the deal.

The change would be subject to FA approval as Milton would look to resign from the Wessex League with one club, playing at Fawcett’s Field, replacing Bash in the Southern League.

Breaker and Millbery have remained tight-lipped on the playing and management side of any new club.

When asked about the potential merger, Bash manager Gray told the Daily Echo: “It could be beneficial to the club in the long term.

“In the long term, it could be a good thing but it is hypothetical at the moment.”

Bash host fellow strugglers Chippenham in the Southern Premier tonight (7.45pm).

Defender Tim Stephenson (hamstring) is a major doubt but Tom Hill is available for selection.

Bash: (from) Moore, Strickland, Knight, Oliver, Stephenson, Foster, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Colson, Stokoe, Gradwell, Gamble, Finlay, Gazzard, Hill, Kearn.

• Poole Town boss Tom Killick is adamant there will be no squad rotation as he bids to guide Dolphins into the Dorset Senior Cup final.

Killick says he is determined to move a step closer to claiming the county silverware when his men face Gilling-ham Town tonight.

The Southern League big guns will lock horns with the Western Premier outfit in a semi-final showdown at Cuthbury (7.45pm).

Killick said: “We are not going to be messing about in terms of our team selection. I am desperate to win.”

Poole are without cup-tied striker Warren Byerley.

The winners meet either Wey-mouth or Wimborne in the final.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Clarke, Spetch, Emmerson, Walker, Kelly, Richardson, Charles, Burbidge, Devlin, Cann, Preston, Brooks, Baines, Dibba, T Brown.