Pitchero Non League

Steve Richardson

....Bashley ’s SOS call after vowing to remain with Southern Division One South & West side Poole Town.

Bash boss Frank Gray, who is looking for reinforcements following a shaky start to the season, this week admitted he had discussed the possibility of moving for Dorset’s answer to Stanley Matthews.

However, midfielder Richardson, 45, told the Bournemouth Echo he was committed to the Dolphins and quickly quashed speculation of a return to the Southern Premier outfit. Richardson said: “I have got a good friend Paul Gazzard who is part of the coaching staff at Bashley and they have got a lot of young lads with good potential. He asked if I would be interested in going and helping out for a bit.

“I spoke to a few people but am going to stay. You can never say never but, at this present moment, I am 100 per cent behind Poole Town.

“It is unbelievable to have interest when you are nearly 46 and, for a Southern Premier club to even mention my name, is really flattering.

“If I did ever play, I would give everything. I owe Bashley really because I went there from Dorchester Town earlier in my career and my heart wasn’t in it. But I have been looked after at Poole and am only twenty short of reaching 400 appearances, which isn’t bad considering I signed when I was 37!”

Poole boss Tom Killick added: “I have had a conversation with Taffy about it and, if I was the manager of Bashley, I would be putting in an approach for him as well so it doesn’t surprise me.

“I have been at this club for eight years and he is far and away the most important signing I have ever made in terms of what he has brought to the club.

“I would be desperately unhappy if we were to lose him.

“He is one of my best friends and I love him to bits. But I am confident he will not be going anywhere.”

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