Poole leaves Weymouth for Blackfield in search of more game time

The 23-year-old former Terras captain had limited game time with the Southern Premier outfit last season and is likely to be a key cog in the Blackfield machine as they push for the 2015/16 Sydenhams Premier title.

Speaking to The Echo’s sister paper The Dorset Echo, Poole explained: “Last season was frustrating for me as I was not in the (Weymouth) team as much as I would have liked.

“I had a couple of niggly injuries which set me back, but I felt there were a couple of occasions where perhaps I should have started when I didn’t.

“I just want to be playing as much football as I can and I don’t think I’d have had the opportunity to do that with Weymouth next season.”

Poole, though, admitted it was a wrench to leave the Dorset outfit after so many years.

“I’d been at the club since the under-12s right through the youth, reserves and the first team for four seasons,” he explained.

“Previous to last season, I had been pretty much a main fixture in the starting XI.

“I spoke to Jason (Matthews, Weymouth manager) quite a bit about his plans and I thought the best decision to make was to go and play elsewhere.”

Welcoming Poole to Gang Warily, new Blackfield boss Glenn Howes said: “Sam’s young, hungry, strong, 6ft 3in tall – and he can play as well.

“He’s a marquee signing for us and epitomises the type of player we’re looking to bring in.

“He’s been at Weymouth all his life and he needs a change of scenery.

“He’ll be a leader for us, that’s for sure.”

Weymouth released a statement last week stating that Poole had been made a “fair and reasonable offer” to stay at the Bob Lucas Stadium, but had turned it down.

Manager Matthews said: "He sees his future as lying elsewhere and we wish him all the best.

“The two seasons I had Sam as a player he was a model pro. He feels he would like to play a bit more and I couldn’t promise him football every week, but it’s sad to see him go.

“He is a whole-hearted player and very popular with the lads.”