Poole Town’s rumoured attempts to ground-share in Kings Park have been criticised by a former president of Bournemouth Athletic Club.

The Dolphins are understood to be looking into a possible switch to the athletics stadium in Kings Park and that prospect has been called into question by Mick Willis.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Bournemouth Borough Council, which owns the venue, last night told the Echo: “We’ve not had any official approach from Poole Town FC.”

And when contacted by the Echo, Dolphins vice-chairman Chris Reeves politely declined to comment.

But his ambitious club are thought to be exploring the viability of using the stadium on a temporary basis while they await a decision on whether planning permission will be granted for a permanent new home near Canford Arena.

The reigning Wessex League champions have missed out on promotion to the Southern League for two consecutive seasons due to unsuitable facilities at their Tatnam base and face an unwanted hat-trick if they again fail to meet ground-grading criteria.

They have put in place one potential ground-share with another local club but the home of BAC is thought to be a preferred option.

Dolphins have remained tight-lipped on the location of that option, which Reeves has previously described as “outside-the-box”.

Despite the council denying any official approach from the club, speculation that Kings Park was the venue in question intensified when Willis, a high jump coach and ex-president of BAC, contacted the Echo to voice his concerns.

In an emailed letter sent to the newspaper, Willis claimed: “I have heard with great concern that Poole Town FC are in talks with Bournemouth council to move to Kings Park and take over the athletic club.

“From the information I have heard, the pitch size required would result in the high jump area and some of the javelin run ups being lost.

“Bournemouth Athletic Club has been serving the community for many years and has links with all the schools.

“This would cause major problems with the certification of the track. This track is for the community.

“This (a rumoured ground-share with Poole Town Football Club) must not be allowed to happen.”