WITH a CV like Tom Killick's, many managers would have moved on long ago.

While the Poole Town boss modestly terms his near 13-year spell in charge as "reasonably successful", others are rightly more generous in their praise for his seismic impact on the Tatnam club.

The facts speak for themselves. In Killick's first season in charge, his team were playing Wessex One football. Since then, the club has earned no fewer than four promotions, five league titles and four cup triumphs and currently occupy a play-off position in National South – non-league's second tier.

As statistics go, they are remarkable. And Poole are tomorrow due to travel to Eastbourne Borough where Killick will celebrate his 700th game in charge, a milestone which demonstrates not only the scale of Dolphins' success but also the 47-year-old's loyalty in sticking with the club he knows inside out.

Given Poole's rapid rise, some may be surprised Killick has never moved to a club higher up the ladder. But the boss always thought his ambitions could be realised exactly where he was.

Killick told the Daily Echo: "A couple of times there have been little things which have come up but when you manage at this level of football, you build up quite a lot of personal relationships with players, supporters and the people who run the club.

"I'm happy at Poole. When I first got there I wanted to manage at a higher level. I felt the level we were at, without sounding arrogant, was way below where I and the club wanted to be.

"That has been a constant theme until this year where, while we are still ambitious and want to push on, I think it is a really good level and it takes an awful lot to be successful without being full time and having massive injections of cash.

"I do feel quite fulfilled for the first time and in an ideal world we would like to push on even further.

"I've always wanted progression for myself but I've wanted it to be with Poole. That's the way I've always seen my ambitions."

Killick, who possesses a 66 per cent win rate as Dolphins boss, prides himself on his relationship with his players, who like their manager have adapted seamlessly to every step up the ladder.

"I'm pleased to have finally got to the level where I feel the players deserve to be," said Killick. "In some ways, that's the most satisfying thing which has happened. Playing in National South is what I wanted for them.

"I feel I have a good relationship with the players. A lot of them have been at the club a long time and those relationships are important to me.

"Everyone looks at results and I know that is what all managers are judged on but in non-league football there is another element to it and it's about creating an environment where the players are enjoying themselves, and building relationships with each other.

"That's probably the thing which gives me as much satisfaction. I'm very proud of how the players are with one another and the atmosphere which exists among them. That's a big thing for me."

So what of the future?

"The club has been an important and happy part of my life for 12 years and I've really enjoyed my time there. From the club's perspective, we've been reasonably successful. Hopefully, there is some more to come," said Killick.

"As a manager, you know all good things come to an end and I'm hoping it will be a while yet but it does emphasise that you have to enjoy things while they last.

"I'm 47 and you can't go on forever. If Poole want me, I don't know how many years left I've got but I would like to finish my time at the club with some further progression.

"We're at a level now where to achieve that on and off the field is very difficult but that's what I would love."

Lewis Lindsay is a doubt for the clash with Eastbourne due to a knee problem, while the loan spell of Cherries youngster Sam Surridge has expired.