POOLE Town boss Brian O'Donnell admits he is "disappointed" that star wingman Jamie Holland has joined Lymington and New Milton only days after pledging his future to the Tatnam Farm club.

Holland, who has also attracted the attention of Christchurch in recent months, became Graham Kemp's sixth close season signing when he put pen to paper on Tuesday.

But O'Donnell is upset because he claims the 23-year-old winger "categorically de-nied" being interested in a move to Fawcett's Field when he spoke with the player last Saturday.

Holland has attracted rave reviews after netting 48 goals in 108 league and cup appearances for the Dolphins over the past three seasons.

But despite also enjoying a first team run out for Bashley in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division last term, O'Donnell believed Holland was dedicated to the Dolphins' Hampshire League Premier Division cause.

He said: "I spoke to Jamie on Saturday and he categorically denied he was interested in going to Lymington and New Milton. As far as I was concerned he was a Poole Town player.

"We put him on a contract about two months ago but agreed not to send it in until after he had played for Bournemouth Electric in the Hampshire Sunday Senior Cup final last month.

"Jamie was taken off contract on Saturday because he said he wanted to continue playing for Electric on Sundays.

"I am a person who takes a bloke at his word and if that is what he says, that is what I believe and because we act decently and honourably, we wanted to be fair to the player. I would expect my players to act in the same way.

"I like Jamie as a person and a player but I am disappointed he hasn't seen fit to ring us up and talk to us and tell us his decision. The club has acted in a very open and right manner throughout this situation which is more than I can say for anybody else involved.

"I saw Jamie as a part of Poole Town's future and we can hold our hands up and say we acted in the best possible way.

"It bothers me that he has left and that it has been done in the wrong manner although it is no different from what I expected from other people."

Holland said: "I have been loyal to Poole for three years and appreciate everything they've done for me.

"But I am at the age where I want to play at a higher level. Graham's made some big signings and said they will be pushing for the league.

"I have got a lot of friends already at Lymington and I am looking forward to going there."

Holland's Linnets campaign will be disrupted by a scheduled 56-day suspension, starting on September 2, for two incidents while playing for Poole Town on January 12 and Electric on April 28.

Linnets have also re-signed former England under-18 midfielder Nick Miles.

Miles, who had trials with Cherries, Wycombe, Gillingham and Southampton, joined Linnets from Salisbury for £1,000 in October 2000 but a persistent back injury kept him sidelined from the game last season.