MANAGER Tom Killick insisted there were no hard feelings from neighbours Wimborne Town over Poole Town’s last-ditch swoop for winger Luke Holmes.

The former Cherries youngster, the son of Matty Holmes, spent the latter part of last season on loan at Cuthbury and penned forms for the forthcoming campaign.

But having caught Killick’s eye when the fierce rivals met in a pre-season friendly last week, Dolphins quickly moved for the protégé and have agreed terms on a one-year contract.

Subject to the completion of paperwork, Holmes could feature in Saturday’s Southern League Premier Division curtain raiser against newly-promoted heavyweights Kettering Town at Tatnam (3pm).

Killick told the Daily Echo: “He was someone I had been made aware of and having seen him in our friendly match with Wimborne, we felt he would only improve further with us. I am delighted to have persuaded him to come over.”

In a deal described as “entirely separate” by Killick, non-contract Poole winger Carl Preston is set to join Wimborne on a standard registration with a gentleman’s agreement that the deal is “temporary”.

The Tatnam boss added that opposite number Steve Cuss, formerly his assistant at Poole, had reacted well to losing one of the Magpies’ hottest prospects.

“I think he’s okay about it,” added Killick. “He didn’t want to obstruct Luke’s progression and was very co-operative and in turn, we have co-operated with them with regard to Carl.

“He (Preston) was concerned he was unlikely to start the season and badly needs games to get fully fit. It is very much a temporary thing that suits all parties for now.”

On Holmes’s departure, Cuss told the Daily Echo: “I have nothing but positive things to say about Luke.

“He had a real impact for us on loan last season and for a young player to come in and do as well as he did spoke volumes for him.

“He trailled with professional clubs during pre-season and we were delighted when he decided to sign for us but equally, he now has the opportunity to play at a higher level.

“I am disappointed to lose a good player but that is no reflection on Luke at all. We constantly talked about his options throughout the summer and he simply wants to play at the highest possible level. I fully support his decision to do that.”

Killick confirmed new recruit Jamie Gleeson is a “serious doubt” for the Kettering match with a dead leg but Marvin Brooks and goalkeeper Nick Hutchings are likely to win their respective fitness battles.

Dolphins: (from) Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Whisken, Walker, Pettefer, Burbidge, Devlin, Gillespie, Connell, Brooks, Roberts, Whelan, McCarthy, Gleeson, Holmes, Collins.