WIMBORNE boss Danny Holmes confirmed family reasons were behind Franklyn Clarke's switch to Dorchester, adding: "I was happy to let him go."

The midfielder, who joined Magpies from Poole Town little over a year ago, last week made the move across Southern League South, joining Dorch for a third spell.

Clarke went straight into the side for Dorchester's 2-1 home defeat by Harrow Borough on Saturday.

Discussing the decision to let Clarke depart, Holmes told Radio Wimborne: "He was happy within the club, but he's got a family of four and three of them are really little. He was saying to me that he wanted to be closer to home with his family, so I gave him my blessing.

"I didn't try and pull him back.

"He's a fantastic lad, a great character, got his heart on his sleeve.

"I loved everything about him professionally. But if anyone wishes to leave and not be around me, I won't force them to stay.

"I feel we're in a good position, got fantastic lads. I think I like to be one of the lads, I'm not too strict. So if someone's not happy within the boundaries, I won't hold them back."

He added: "Fortunately it wasn't due to me personally or the lads.

"Something had obviously gone on around him with Dorchester, it's a big club with fantastic facilities.

"But I'm mindful that it was mainly to do with the family situation. It is a lot of travelling at this level and I can see his point.

"He's got three little ones so it must be hard work for his partner. He's gone down there, he's obviously thought about it and they've come in for him so all the best to Franklyn.

"I'm sure our paths will cross again. I loved his company, he was a good lad. I was happy to let him go because I never had any problems with him."

Holmes, who took over as manager from brother Matty in September, presided over Saturday's 2-0 win against Yate Town which lifted Wimborne up to 12th in the table.

And he thanked the Magpies board for their role in facilitating Clarke's swift departure.

Holmes said: "He was contracted but the club were really good and let me make my own decision and didn't go 'we want so many pounds for him'.

"There are players out there who can play you up, I don't think Franklyn is one of them, but his heart and soul wouldn't have been in it (if we kept him).

"I've been a player myself and I try to always reflect myself off of how I was as a player and how they are now. I'm quite touchy about how I deal with things, because I believe it's important.

"If you've played the game, you know there are emotions and feelings. He's a great kid and all the best for him moving forward. I hope it all goes well for him at Dorchester."