NEW signing Jamie Gleeson has vowed to become Poole Town’s “dog of war” in a bid to make the club’s promotion dream a reality.

The Poole-born midfielder last week opted to end his decade-long stay at Dorset rivals Dorchester to play a part in his hometown club’s push for National South football.

Gleeson, who played in the Football League for Kidderminster Harriers following his release from Southampton as a youngster, revealed this week that the switch had partly been driven by his business commitments in Bournemouth.

But despite his full-on schedule, the bullish anchor man insisted he had no intention of taking things easy with the Dolphins. Gleeson told the Daily Echo: “I am 30 but I guarantee I will be one of the fittest players at the club. If I can keep winning races, which I think I will, then I will go on for as long I can.

“I enjoy playing. I moan about it in a jokey way but when I get there, I do my job. People don’t see me as a typical central midfielder but I don’t mind a tear up and every team needs someone in there who is prepared to be the dog of war.

“When I was younger, I used to be one of those players who dropped deep, got on the ball and looked good in possession but as I went down the leagues I soon learned it was more about winning tackles, personal battles and getting under people’s skin.

“I feel I can do a bit of both and adapt to whatever situation crops up.”

On the his new club’s promotion prospects, Gleeson added: “Poole were excellent last season but tweaking it a little bit, along with the addition of a couple of experienced heads, could make the difference this time round.

“People say I should have gone to Poole years ago but I don’t think that is right. I played Conference South football for nine years which was a long time considering Dorchester didn’t have a lot of money.

“The step up to that level is massive but Poole has everything in place to get there and hopefully, I can help them get over the line because they deserve it.

“I know Eddie Mitchell and Shaun Brooks have had some involvement at Poole and I had some of my best times at Dorchester with them. They bring another level of professionalism and that is what it takes to make that step up.

Gleeson added: “Not a lot of people realise I am a Poole boy. I was at Dorchester for ages but I was born in Poole and would like to be known for my football round here.

“I do see my future at Poole, it is a club with a massive following and so much potential.”