POOLE Town’s latest recruit Toby Holmes has opened up on the reasons why he chose to return to the Dolphins after departing champions Taunton Town.

Goal-grabber Holmes became the Southern League’s most-sought after striker when he made the decision to leave the Somerset outfit, as ironically, success with the Peacocks came at a cost, with promotion to the second tier of non-league football incurring extra travel, taking precious time away from his family.

Just a day after lifting the Southern League Premier South title, Holmes had further cause for celebration as he welcomed a newborn baby into the world.

When news spread of his intention to leave Taunton, a host of clubs in the local area instantly became interested in bringing Holmes back to Dorset.

After making the initial tough decision to part ways with Taunton, Holmes was faced with another choice – his next move.

Discussing his whirlwind end to the season, Holmes told the Daily Echo: “I didn’t want to say, ‘oh, I'm leaving Taunton’ and then we don't win the league, because then you want to stay - I enjoyed it there.

“I loved the manager, loved the chairman. All the lads were great. We knew we had a good group there.

"So I think if Taunton hadn't gone up, I wouldn't have left.

“I had the thought in the back of my mind that if they did go and get promoted, then there would be more training and there would be more travel.

“Obviously, me and my partner knew that the baby was arriving right at the end of the season. So I had a few thoughts that I might be moving closer to home.

“When we won the league and the baby came the next day, I was sort of like, ‘I'm probably not going to stay at Taunton and I need to have a chat with a few managers locally’.

“I then spoke to Stokesy (James Stokoe), I went and met him for a drink and a chat. I went and met Glenn Howes from Dorchester for a drink and a chat.

“And then, the same with Tom (Killick).”

With goal-scoring pedigree and a champions medal around his neck, Holmes was always going to be in demand when he looked for a club closer to home.

Fans from four of his former clubs – Poole, Dorchester, Wimborne and Salisbury - made overtures on social media, whilst managers got in touch to tempt the 29-year-old their way.

After doing his due diligence, Holmes came to the decision to re-join Poole, the side that gave him a first taste of Southern League football back in 2015.

“Like I said, I met with all three managers,” continued Holmes.

“I had good chats with all of them, just getting to know what their plans are, what their aims are, where they want to be in the next couple of years.

“The most basic way of putting it is Poole is the best side. But it wasn't just that.

“It was to still to be competitive at the best level - that ruled out a return to Wimborne.

“It was more the draw of the squad being there or thereabouts.

“Not too much needs to change - maybe a few extra bodies, a bit of extra quality, but they were 80 per cent there last season and if we can get a few big name signings through the door, then we are never going to be a million miles away.

“I want to play for the best team, in the best league, at the highest level possible.

“Fortunately Poole ticks all three of those boxes.

“With Wimborne, obviously I have a loyalty there to some degree after spending three seasons there.

“But, unfortunately with the relegation and the fact I still want to be competitive at the highest level, it meant that it wasn’t the right time for me to go back there.

“I would have liked my chance at Step Two with Taunton, something that I’ve worked for over the last six, seven years, but the arrival of the baby has changed my priorities slightly.

“But who knows – in 12 months’ time we might be sat here, hopefully going into Step Two with Poole.”