DOUBLE award winner Will Spetch expects friend and defensive partner Michael Walker to remain at Poole Town – but would understand if he opted to leave.

Spetch, 22, was handed the players’ player of the season gong by the Dolphins captain and also lifted the supporters’ prize at the club’s presentation evening on Friday.

The Poole duo, a staple part of the Southern League’s meanest defence, missed just two matches each as Tom Killick’s men cruised to the Division One South & West title by 14 points.

But Walker, 29, is out of contract this summer with Weymouth boss Brendon King publicly stating he is ready to swoop for Poole’s towering centre-half.

The Tatnam skipper maintains his future is undecided, but Spetch thinks his mentor will stay to lead Poole on their Southern Premier return.

Spetch told the Daily Echo: “Personally, I don’t think he will go.

“We haven’t spoken at length about it but I just have a feeling he will stay, purely for the fact that he has achieved so much at Poole.

“I don’t think he would want to ruin that and I think he will stay for at least one more season.

“I would be gutted to see him go because I love playing alongside him. For someone to have that experience, to be so strong physically and verbally, is just great and he has played a massive part in making me a better player.

“Our partnership has been pretty solid and I am good friends with him off the pitch. If he left, it would be a massive hole for us to fill, but Walks has got a young family to think of and has recently got married. If Weymouth is the right money and the right move for him then so be it.”

Spetch, who spent three years with Exeter City’s Centre of Excellence, worked his way through the youth ranks at Tatnam, starting with the under-15s before becoming a first-team regular and also earning a trial with Cherries in 2011.

And Poole’s versatile youngster, who is equally adept at left-back, said that his lengthy involvement with the Dorset club had given his end-of-season awards greater meaning.

The Dolphins defender added: “I love it at Poole. The club is run by some great people and I am very happy there.

“I was very surprised to win the supporters’ award and it means a lot to know that the fans think so much of you.”