RETIRED striker Richard Gillespie thanked Poole Town boss Tommy Killick for his patience while at the Dolphins.

Gillespie, 34, hung up his boots after a lack of game time and niggling injuries, plus a reluctance to step down a division, forced his hand.

While Gillespie was struggling with persistent knocks, the marksman spoke highly of Killick, who affirmed his belief in the forward, affectionately known as Mr Goals.

The striker who made five appearances for Dorchester Town, told Echosport: “Tommy was quite open with me at Poole, saying the injuries are a big factor. It started to be one of the factors of why I wasn’t getting in (the team).

“He’d not know whether I’d finish 90 minutes or if I played one game, whether or not I’d recover to play on a Tuesday night.

“In November, December and January it’s two games a week for the whole duration. From a sensible point of view I could understand where he was coming from.

“Tommy was brilliant in the sense he’d be very patient with me. A lot of managers would have cut their losses but Tommy appreciated what I could do on the pitch, even if it was coming off the bench.”

Poole make the trip to title contenders Taunton Town in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South today (3pm).