ANGRY Hamworthy United boss Phil Simkin has re-opened his row with rival Tom Killick over the Poole Town supremo's comments after last week's derby match - and Dolphins' approach for Hammers striker Jack Swann.

As revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo, Killick has moved to bolster his attacking options by targeting Swann.

This came hot on the heels of Poole's FA Vase win over their bitter rivals on Saturday, after which Killick said his team were "probably significantly better in terms of ability". He also spoke of having the chance to "more or less" end Hamworthy's season by knocking them out.

Simkin admitted he was "very disappointed" by his Poole counterpart's remarks.

"Finishing our season - what is it to him?" said the Hammers manager. "He won the game, I gave him the respect to say they're a good side, and he makes comments like that.

"He's not just upset me, but other people in the Wessex League. But if he can't conduct himself in defeat, he can't in victory."

Killick felt the way his quotes read "might have sounded disrespectful" and that this was not "my intention".

Simkin, who did not know about the Swann approach until informed by the Daily Echo yesterday, said he "certainly wouldn't want to lose him".

"Everyone thinks highly of him at the club. I'd be very surprised if he thought about leaving, we've done the best we can to look after him," said Simkin.

"He's very settled at our club and very popular.

"They (Poole) have got infinitely more resources than I have. It (money) is always going to be a worry. No doubt if he (Killick) conducts himself in this the same as anything else he will have already spoken to him. But I'm sure Jack Swann is honest enough to tell me."

Killick was quick to refute claims he had "tapped up" Swann as the player was preparing to come on as substitute in last weekend's Vase showdown.

"I was laughing and joking with Jack," he explained.

"I spoke to him because I know him. Ignoring every player I know because they're with another club is not what I think non-league's about.

"I've been involved in non-league football a long time and I know Jack Swann. If I bump into Leigh Phillips in the pub on Saturday night, does that mean I'm tapping him up?"

Swann is available for Hamworthy's Wessex Premier Division game against Cowes Sports at the County Ground tomorrow (3pm). Simkin added that he had "nearly everyone back on board" after flu and illness had hit the squad.