NEW Poole Town recruit Alan Connell admits his knowledge of Southern League football is non-existent but insisted: “I still have plenty to offer.”

Poole yesterday swooped to sign the 32-year-old on a one-year contract as boss Tom Killick finally struck gold in his lengthy pursuit of an attacking spearhead.

Ex-Cherries man Connell has more than 300 Football League appearances under his belt, including 104 during his time at Dean Court, and played League One football for Bradford as recently as January 2014.

The Penn Hill-based frontman kicked off last season with a brief stint at Grimsby Town before enduring an injury-plagued campaign under former Cherries boss Lee Bradbury at Havant & Waterlooville.

But having stepped up his recovery from a nagging knee complaint, Connell is happy to ply his trade in the non-league’s third tier having been won over by the persuasive powers of Killick.

Connell told the Daily Echo: “I still feel I have a lot to offer and Poole is my local club. Having lived all over the country, I am now at an age where I want to feel settled in an area that feels like home for me.

“With my links through AFC Bournemouth, I have always looked out for Poole’s results and like to see them do well. The club is desperate to get promotion and I am confident I can help them achieve that.

“Tom is very passionate and enthusiastic. I said hello to him a few times over the years without having a proper conversation but when we met up, I was really impressed.

“He was forthright and honest and, from that moment, I wanted to get the deal done. It was him that made me want to sign and it seems to suit everyone. Now, I am just excited to get started.”

And Connell reckons his pit stops at outposts including Torquay, Hereford United, Brentford, Swindon and Northampton will stand him in good stead for the rough and tumble of English football’s seventh tier.

“To be honest, the only thing I know about the league is that Poole Town are in it!” he added.

“But, I have had plenty of conversations with people who know the local scene and I know the club has some really good players.

“I’m sure the whole experience will be a bit different to what I am used to but I have played in quite a few leagues at various levels.

"Hopefully, I can adjust in the way I always have and hit the ground running. I have not really thought about the others teams because to me, it is about Poole Town.

"I am sure we will be okay and am genuinely excited by it all. Hopefully, we can go one better than last season.”

On bouncing back from the injury that curtailed his campaign in February, Connell said: “I had a problem with my knee and tried to come back a couple of times.

"Eventually, I had it scanned and had we gone down that route sooner, I wouldn’t have been out as long for as long.

“Touch wood, I feel good at the moment. I started training towards the back end of last season and have kept thing ticking over during the past few weeks.

"It is important I maintain that and make the most of a good pre-season.”