DORCHESTER Town have appointed Tom Killick as their new manager, to work alongside previous boss Glenn Howes.

Howes will now assist Killick after managing Dorchester 89 times over a 23-month spell, winning 30 games, drawing 14 and losing 45 for a 33.7 win percentage.

Ex-Totton and Blackfield manager Howes last season guided Dorchester to their joint-highest league placing since 2015, achieving 13th.

The move comes after the 5-0 loss at Plymouth Parkway, which in turn came off the back of Dorchester earning ten points from four league matches.

Killick has been a free agent since his sacking by Poole Town, ending a formidable 19-year association with the Dolphins.

It heralds a return to the Avenue Stadium for popular former striker Killick, who played in Dorchester colours during the 1990s.

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Killick and Howes last worked together at Poole, where Killick helped his ex-midfielder Howes through a career-ending injury.

Echosport understands the current management team including James Wood and Brian Churchill will remain in post, working under Killick and Howes.

Crucially, Howes has insisted the arrangement is all of his making.

Howes said: “I had discussions with Tom not long after he had left Poole and we as a club are always looking to ways of improving performance and creating a culture of high performance.

“This we all feel will give us an additional edge to continue to push on and improve on our previous season.”

Chairman Scott Symes added: “I have nothing but admiration and praise for Glenn’s initiative and the way he has approached his idea about progressing the team again from what was our best season last season for many years.

“Having then met with Glenn and Tom, the way they articulated how this would take the club on again was extremely impressive and it was very clear to see that they can work seamlessly together.”

Killick was rumoured to have been offered a director of football role when he first left Poole.

However, he has now jumped at the chance to manage the Magpies.

He said: “I am very happy to have been given the opportunity to come back to a club that I have always had great affection for.

“I have great respect for the work Glenn and his management team have done since they arrived at the club and hope I can help continue that progress going forward.

“I want to emphasise that I have come into this role at the instigation of Glenn, and we believe that given time together alongside the current management team we can achieve the success the club craves and deserves.”

The Magpies said: “Dorchester Town Football Club are delighted to announce that Tom Killick is to become our new first team manager with Glenn Howes working closely alongside him.

“Killick returns to The Avenue following a hugely successful 20-year spell as manager at Poole Town where he took charge of nearly 1,000 games and guided the Dolphins from the tenth tier of English football up to the National League South.

“The ex-Magpies striker will be fondly remembered by many supporters from his playing days with the club in the 1990s scoring a number of memorable goals in black and white.

“Killick will now link up with Glenn Howes again with the two having a long history together, which started with both playing in the same side at Basingstoke Town before later spells working together at Salisbury and Poole Town.”

Killick’s first game in charge will be the FA Trophy match at Merthyr on Saturday, October 7 (3pm).