MATT’S FINISHED AT DOLPHINS
POOLE Town have revealed they rejected an offer by wantaway manager Matt Tubbs to stay on until the end of the season with his departure leaving the Dolphins looking for a third manager of the season.
The former Bournemouth striker resigned on Monday following a run of seven straight defeats which has dragged them into a relegation scrap in Pitching In Southern League Premier South.
Tubbs, 39, left Step 4 Bashley back in September to become successor to long-serving Tommy Killick, who was in charge of the south-coast club for almost 20 years.
But the recent slump – Poole’s worst run since the 1995-96 season, when they famously lost 41 out of 42 league matches before a final day draw with Bashley – has seen the club had come under fire from some on social media, with Killick, now boss at Dorchester Town, having remained so popular among the Tatnum Farm faithful.
Anxious
Tubbs’ No.2 James Ellis was placed in interim charge and got off to the perfect start on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win at promotion chasing Gosport Borough to bring an end to the losing run.
Player/coach Jamie Whisken, assisting Ellis alongside fellow club stalwart Wes Fogden, showed his commitment to the cause by signing an extension to his contract at the club until the end of next season. Stability, it seems, is now the mantra moving forward.
Director Andrew Rossiter said: “You get anxious after seven losses on the spin, of course, but we put no pressure on him – quite the reverse in fact.
“We told him he was our man after last Saturday but he had his mind made up. He offered to stay on until the end of the season but as a board we wanted to move fast.
“I was very influential in giving Matt the job, it was led by me, and it was hard to see him call it a day.
“I don’t think social media bothered him (Tubbs) – they tend to be just keyboard warriors. If someone has something to say to us, they are welcome to come and see us at the club.
“(But) some fans said we have played some of the best football they have seen in many years. I think this group of lads is superb and with a couple of results I feel we will be pushing up the table away from danger in no time. In my honest opinion, we will stay in the division.”
Radar
Rossiter wished Tubbs, who starred for Crawley Town during a stellar playing career, all the best and is certain he will return to the dugout sooner rather than later.
“I’m sure he will. He will make a fine young manager,” said Rossiter. “He has an understanding of football and how he wants it to be played.”
Rossiter also admitted that vastly experienced boss Gary Johnson is on the club’s radar.
Johnson, 68, recently left troubled Torquay United and worked under long-serving director Rossiter during a very successful period at Yeovil Town where the pair led the Glovers into the Championship for the first time in the club’s history.
Those interested have until March 15 to apply through the club’s website and Rossiter added: “He has not put his name forward as yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. I’ve known him from Yeovil but we probably couldn’t afford him if I’m honest!
“He is more than welcome to apply and the next manager we appoint will be one with experience.”