TOM Killick expects a super-strength Southern League Premier South in the 2024/25 season.
Dorchester manager Killick will be up against Havant, Gloucester and Taunton after their relegations, while big-spending AFC Totton suffered play-off agony three weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Killick expects former club Poole to be one of the frontrunners, the Dolphins already having lured the likes of Jake McCarthy this summer.
And Killick is also wary of Wimborne and their resources, following their promotion as champions of Southern Division One South.
READ MORE: Tom Killick explains Lewis Waterfield and Jonny Efedje exits from Dorchester Town
Speaking to Echosport regarding the quality of next season’s league, Killick said: “It goes without saying, Totton have got an exceptional squad.
“Having suffered the heartbreak of missing out in the way they did, they’re not going to lick their wounds for long.
“They’re going to be bolstering their squad even more, so you would think they’re going to be even more powerful next year.
“Then you’ve got the likes of Havant coming down. Even Wimborne, a newly-promoted side.
“They’ve got a really good infrastructure now, really good people running the club.
“Totton proved that you can come into the league and, with the right finances and management behind you, that you can be competitive.
“I think Wimborne, the people they’ve got running the club behind the scenes, I’m sure they’re not just looking to survive in the league. They’re looking to be strong.
“Poole had a very difficult season last year and they’re on record as saying they want to change that round and be fighting at the top end.
“You would expect with the money they’ve got available that would almost inevitably be the case.
“So, there’s a lot of strength in the league, I think it’s quite exciting. The local element just makes it better as well.”
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