Dolphins promotion bid in serious doubt (From Bournemouth Echo)

Dolphins promotion bid in serious doubt

7:18pm Sunday 7th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(10)

Poole Town’s Southern League promotion bid has been thrown into doubt once again after vice-chairman Chris Reeves ruled out the possibility of a ground share.

Dolphins, who remained in pole position to win the Wessex League by beating Brading Town 2-0 on Saturday, have been trying to find somewhere suitable to host step four football next season.

Their Tatnam home failed ground-grading regulations last season, ruining their hopes of climbing back up the non-league ladder.

And the Dorset club face that prospect again this term unless they can discover a way of overcoming the obstacle.

Reeves told the Echo: “We’re not going to be able to achieve a ground share. The reasons why things haven’t happened with various clubs have been understandable. We haven’t got anywhere.

“Every conceivable avenue was thoroughly explored and it was just not practical this season.”

Fawcett’s Field emerged as a major contender after Poole were encouraged by the Football Association to pursue a ground share agreement, but New Milton Town Council blocked that move. Other possible venues in the area included Wimborne Town’s Cuthbury, Dean Court, Weymouth and Dorchester Town.

However, Poole were forced back to the drawing board in the wake of the Fawcett’s Field setback and, with a ground share now off the agenda, they face a race the beat the FA’s ground-grading deadline of March 31.

Reeves added: “We’re actively exploring whether or not we can upgrade Tatnam satisfactorily for the FA.

“We’re actively trying to be creative again to see whether we can do anything at Tatnam.”

Dolphins boss Tom Killick, who watched his defending champions maintain their position as title favourites by defeating Brading, insisted that the club’s bid to secure a new permanent home was more important than achieving promotion this term.

Having seen their controversial plans for a stadium at Branksome Rec declined, Poole are now exploring Plan B at Canford Arena.

Killick said: “The big thing for the club is to secure the new ground.”

Meanwhile, former Cherries prospect Carl Preston was the star of the show in the hard-fought win over Brading.

After Poole had struggled to break down the resolute visitors, left-sided talent Preston set up Stuart Brown for Dolphins’ opener before doubling the advantage himself late on.

Killick added: “In the past few games, Carl has started to get back to the sort of level we knew he was capable of.”

Poole Town: Jones, Whitley, Lloyd (Brown, 60), Walker, Dovell, Preston, Richardson, Skelton, Gill, Smith, Cook (Gates, h-t). Unused subs: Hubbard, Sturgess, Ackerman.