NEW boss Matty Holmes welcomed his son back to Wimborne Town – even if he had mixed feelings about the swoop.

Former Cherries prospect Luke Holmes has signed for his dad’s new club from Dorchester Town with namesake striker Toby Holmes, who is no relation, completing a double swoop.

Luke Holmes spent time on loan at Cuthbury under Steve Cuss and joined permanently following his release a year ago.

That kicked off a season of pit stops, moving to Poole and back to the Magpies before finishing the campaign at Dorchester.

Matty Holmes told the Daily Echo: “In some respects I was keen for Luke to stay put. He started his time there really well but didn’t finish the season as he would have liked.

“There was no pressure from me, especially as Luke remains as keen as ever to play at the highest possible level in the long term, I just think he felt it was time to get back to developing his football.

“I have a huge amount of respect for Mark Jermyn (Dorchester manager). He was a youngster coming through when I played there, I nurtured him through those first few years so it was a tough one for me in many ways.

“Mark hadn’t offered Toby anything over the summer and when I first got the job, he was one of my first targets so I was delighted to get them both.

“I saw Toby play a few times last season. He works hard but there are improvements to be made and I hope I can help bring on his finishing, among other things. He gets into good positions and will be a valuable signing for us. It was an important area to address because we didn’t have a recognised centre-forward.

“They played James Stokoe up there at times last season. He can do a job anywhere but prefers midfield, which is no problem.

“I tried to speak to Mark Ford but he decided to go to Shaftesbury which was a shame.”

Centre-half Sam Davidson and flexible attacker Sam Bayston have also agreed to stay on. They join contracted trio Scott Arnold, Billy Maybury and Stokoe, as well as non-contract signing Jamie Davidson.

“Near enough all of the squad wants to stay and give things a go,” added Holmes.

“There is always that uncertainty when they have worked under another manager so it is great to see so many keen to stick around and show what they can do.

“I’m looking at two or three more signings now. I want to get the first-team squad up to 16 and after that we will supplement it with youngsters.

“I went down to the under-21s trials last week. Everyone involved did a great job and around 60 lads turned up.

“The development squad and under-18 teams are coming together really well. Many of them played for Grange in the Bournemouth Youth Football League last season and we are really pleased with how that side of things is coming together.”