VICE-chairman Chris Reeves has moved to quash speculation over the future of Poole Town boss Tom Killick and insisted: “We could not wish for a better manager.”

Crestfallen Killick said he “would not want to rely on previous successes” after Dolphins missed out on the Southern League title with four defeats from eight matches during April and suffered a play-off exit at the hands of St Neots.

The comments prompted a flurry of activity on the club’s fans’ forum, while Reeves reported that several supporters had sent messages of support directly to Killick in a bid to ensure he stayed.

And the long-serving Poole director is keen to allay any fears by pledging the board’s unflinching support for their man.

Addressing the speculation, Reeves told the Daily Echo: “We could not wish for a better manager than Tom Killick and the club has been blessed to enjoy the fruits of his commitment, drive and loyalty for the past 11 years.

“We have been on a terrific ride and our supporters have been spoiled rotten by the success. I know just how much the overwhelming majority of people appreciate that.

“Some of the emails of support received by Tom were enough to bring a tear to your eye. There is quite clearly desperation among the bulk of our fan base to know that he will be committing his future to the club.

“Everybody understands how disappointed the supporters feel at the moment but nobody feels that more than Tom and without a shadow of doubt, we feel he is the best man to put that disappointment to bed.

“That’s not to say we automatically expect to win the championship next season. Teams will be going into the new campaign with huge budgets for their playing staff and we have to do our best to compete with those clubs.

“We have done consistently over the past few years and I have no doubt we will do again.”

And Reeves, who revealed he had already started discussing plans for next season with Killick, said he had been given “no inkling” that the manager had any plans to quit.

“I have known Tom since he was 16 and would probably feel it more than others should he move on but that has not entered my thoughts," he added.

“It will be his 12th season and nothing he has said leads me to believe he won’t be with us next season and, hopefully, beyond.”