Phil Jarman and Andy Rossiter on Poole Town's ambitions

Andy Rossiter and Phil Jarman were both involved in two separate rises up the pyramid, the former a long serving director at Yeovil, the latter an ex-owner of Crawley Town.

With their respective backgrounds in the game, there is no surprise why there is a buzz around the BlackGold Stadium.

Jarman has recently been confirmed as a director at the seventh-tier club, the Sandbanks-based businessman matching Rossiter’s enthusiasm for the project.

“Chatting with Andy, the first conversation we had was thinking positive,” Jarman explained to the Daily Echo.

“Because we've both been there and seen it and done it, we've got that feeling that it's very hard to forget. It's just such a buzz, and also momentum as well.

“Getting the community involved, getting everyone on side, it's just a great place to be.

“I think that's the thing as well. Poole is such an area of so many big businesses that can be involved and support the club as well. So I think the potential here as a club is massive.”

After dedicating so much to their previous clubs, why would Rossiter and Jarman look for another team to invest in?

Rossiter shared: “Phil, bit like myself, came here, was looking for a new club to love, if you like. I'd been out of football for about three years.

“Phil, I'm not sure, but I guess it's probably a reasonably long period that he's been out of football, very successful at what he does with his job and his businesses.

“It was apparent when we first met that Phil and I would be getting on very well. Phil is a very welcome addition to the commercial side of the club. He brings those contacts, as I do mine.”

Heading into the final five games of the season, Poole sit fourth, close to achieving their pre-season target of a play-off finish.

Since Rossiter’s arrival in late 2022, Poole’s playing budget has increased, but there is also a willingness to invest off the pitch as well.

Poole Town lifted the Dorset Senior Cup on Tuesday night (Image: Ian Middlebrook)

Dolphins have been playing at Tatnam Farm for well over two decades, a temporary solution that has become near-permanent.

The current lease expires in December 2024, and whilst efforts are being made to identify a new site for a future, permanent home, the club hopes to extend their current deal to remain where they are until 2029.

As much as Tatnam has helped the club, ending their nomadic existence following their removal from Poole Stadium, it has also become a millstone around the neck of Dolphins, a piecemeal ground with little room for further improvements.

A new ground is certainly on Rossiter’s agenda.

“We’re just about to agree to stay at here till 2029,” he continued.

“We are constantly talking to the local authority about possible sites.

“There have been a few identified. And my legacy will be, hopefully, to leave this club in the hands of somebody else in the Football League and in the new stadium.”

Dolphins’ quest for a new ground has seen many false dawns, proposals reaching the planning stage before falling apart.

Long-standing Chris Reeves, who is now chairman at the club, and Richard Gale, have previously led the search, with Rossiter detailing just how hard the board work behind the scenes.

He restarted: “I think Phil's detected that we have a great working board. None of our directors sit around doing nothing, just eating prawn sandwiches in the boardroom.

“They're actually all physically doing jobs on match day.

“But Phil brings a huge amount of experience.

"I know I speak for the board, when I say we're looking forward to working with him.”

So what do clubs need to have in order to progress up the leagues, like Yeovil and Crawley?

Rossiter began: “You have to have finance, you have to have a plan, you have to be clear about where you're going."

Jarman concurred, sharing: “Totally agree, with everything what Andy said there.

“I think structure is very important. And obviously with a strong board, strong chairman, I think it is absolutely paramount to go forward.

“It's like any good foundation. If you're building a house, you need a good foundation. And I think this club has certainly got the foundation set in the right places.

“So going forward is going to be well thought out.

“I think success is definitely around the corner.”