TOM Killick cut Charlie Austin down to size on the golf course and then congratulated the former Poole Town star on his maiden England call-up.

Dolphins boss Killick and Tatnam legend Taffy Richardson condemned Austin and former Poole team-mate Micky Hubbard to a match play defeat at Broadstone Golf Club, before cashing in on their winner's reward of a free dinner at The Dancing Moose in Lower Parkstone.

And less than 24 hours later, Austin, who hit 64 goals in 57 appearances for Dolphins during 2008 and 2009, was named in Roy Hodgson's 24-man squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia.

Killick was among the first to offer his congratulations to the 17-goal QPR frontman and insisted his berth in the national set-up had been richly deserved.

The Dolphins boss told the Daily Echo: "It is an unbelievable achievement. Everyone has doubted him at every stage of his career, partly because of where he's come from. Everyone felt there was a limit to how much progress he could make.

"But he has coped with each step he's made so well and I think he deserves all the recognition that comes his way. Having been named in the squad, I dearly hope he gets the opportunity to earn his first cap.

"I know Charlie is keen to be recognised for his achievements as a professional footballer and I think it is time that happened. It's not about forgetting where he's come from but more about the fact he deserves it.

"He has been a Premier League footballer this season and in a struggling side has scored 17 goals, so I don't think anyone can argue that he doesn't deserve the opportunity.

"Ignoring his background and being independent about it, for what he has done in the Premier League, he deserves to be picked, that's the long and short of it.

"Poole Town has benefited enormously – both financially and in terms of the profile of the club – from Charlie's success and it's time to move away from that now and congratulate him for the achievement."

Killick admitted he could fly to Dublin to take in the friendly clash with the Republic on June 7, seven days before Hodgson's troops travel to Slovenia for a Euro 2016 qualifier.

He added: "Hopefully, next month myself and Taff will be able to say we've beaten an England international!"

Austin was one of three new names in the Three Lions squad announced yesterday, with the others being Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and Burnley stopper Tom Heaton.