Reeves happy to wait for Austin windfall (From Bournemouth Echo)

Reeves happy to wait for Austin windfall

7:00am Friday 5th February 2010

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Poole Town vice-chairman Chris Reeves insisted there was no disappointment at Tatnam as the transfer window closed without a big-money move for Charlie Austin.

The former Dolphins striker has set League One alight with a stunning run of goalscoring form since joining Swindon Town from the Wessex League club.

His exceptional performances have led to speculation about a possible transfer, with rumours linking Yorkshire giants Leeds United to a possible £1.6m bid last week.

And with a sell-on fee |negotiated in the deal that took Austin to the County Ground, understood to be in the region of 15 per cent, any switch would have proved fruitful for the non-leaguers.

But Monday’s 5pm deadline passed with Austin remaining a Robins player and his fine form was rewarded when he put pen to paper on an improved two-and-a-half year deal with the Wiltshire club in midweek.

Asked if he was disappointed that deadline day had not yielded a windfall for his club, Reeves said: “Not in the slightest. He’s exceeded everyone’s expectations and is well on the path to a very successful career. I didn’t really think he’d move in this transfer window.

“I did think moving now would have been a little bit too soon.”

As well as the sell-on, Dolphins stand to receive a one-off payment if Austin gets an England cap, either at full or under-21 level. They could also get extra payments, dependent on the striker’s appearances and goals for Robins.

But when asked about the finer details of the deal, Reeves said: “I have signed a confidentiality provision with Swindon so I can’t really talk figures. But we are quite satisfied with the deal we negotiated.”

Austin’s goals led Poole to a Wessex League and Dorset Senior Cup double last season.

He trained with Cherries during pre-season and could have moved to Dean Court, but the club’s ongoing transfer embargo dashed Eddie Howe’s hopes of signing the striker.

Meanwhile, Poole continue their bid to retain the Wessex Premier Division championship when they visit basement boys Cowes Sports tomorrow (3pm).

Aaron Skelton is injured, Stuart Brown is unavailable and Nic Jones is doubtful. Midfielder Andy Culliford has left the club, with Bournemouth Poppies his possible destination.

Boss Tom Killick has bolstered his squad with the signing of ex-Andover frontman Stuart Gates, who previously had a trial at Tatnam. However, the former contestant on Sky TV’s Football Icon will not make his debut this weekend.

Poole Town: (from) Ackerman, Poore, Lloyd, Whitley, Walker, Dovell, Gill, Richardson, Sturgess, Hubbard, Preston, Cook, S Smith, Fisk, Spetch, Bailey-Pearce, Jones.

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