POOLE Town director and co-owner Andy Rossiter labelled the decision to sack long-serving manager Tom Killick as “really hard”, detailing the board’s reasoning for doing so.

Killick’s association with Dolphins has ended at the start of his 20th manager, with Poole’s spluttering start to the league season for a second consecutive season enough cause for concern that Poole’s board opted to make a change.

In total, Killick managed Poole for 975 games, earning five league titles, four promotions, a Southern League Cup triumph, and five Dorset Senior Cups.

Rossiter told the Daily Echo: “It was a really hard decision as Tom and the team had bounced back last season after a poor start.

“This season we have spent even more money in getting a larger, settled squad.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve nearly doubled the budget. 

“Tom and I have had a short time together and I totally love the man.

“I have huge respect for him. He is and always will be a hero.

“Almost 20 years at one club as manager is an incredible achievement.

“But I’m having a serous operation in early September, and I won’t be able to return until October.

“The board felt if the form carried on into this period, then late October, November would be too short a period to win the championship.

“I’ve enjoyed working closely with Tom last season - my wife once told him he speaks to me more than she does.

“So it’s really hard to see Tom leave.

“I’ve had the best time with Tom in football ever.

“I hope we remain friends, obviously he’s welcome here at any time.

“I know me, Chris (Reeves, chairman) and the board and fans would like to have an event to celebrate the brilliant time he’s had at Poole.”

The Daily Echo understands that a successor has already been identified, with the club not currently open to applications for the vacancy.

“It’s a little earlier than planned, but I have known his successors for many years,” Rossiter continued.

“This man has always been my planned manager at some time in the future.

“He has been a model professional footballer, recently cut his managerial teeth locally and is a man that shares my philosophy in working hard to achieve our aims.

“Tom will be a hard manager to follow but I believe this man can lead us to the promotion we are yearning.

“I hope the fans will love his brand of football and continue to keep the shed rocking.

“I can’t wait to share his name.”