NEW Dorchester Town manager Tom Killick admitted the Magpies job was “immediately attractive” after being approached for the role.

In an exceptional turn of events, Killick revealed previous boss Glenn Howes was the driving force behind his appointment.

Howes managed Dorchester for 89 matches across 23 months and will be Killick’s number two at the Avenue Stadium, with coaches James Wood and Brian Churchill also staying on.

But for Killick, sacked this month by Poole Town after a staggering 19 seasons with the Dolphins, the chance at Dorchester was “too good an opportunity to pass up”.

In his first interview with Echosport, he said: “In an ideal world I had envisaged having a bit of a break because it had been quite difficult for me towards the end at Poole.

READ MORE: Tom Killick takes over as new Dorchester Town boss

“The way it all finished had been difficult, so I was planning on having a period of not being involved.

“Glenn’s someone I’ve got a long history with and have great affection for. He’s someone I spoke to regularly when we were in our respective roles previously.

“When he called me and put the proposal to me, it was immediately attractive.

“Firstly, because of my relationship with him and secondly because of the respect and affection I’ve got for Dorchester.

“Thirdly, I do feel we can be a good combination because he’s got significant expertise in areas that I’m less proficient at, and probably vice versa.

“So, we’re hoping we can work well together going forward. Then, I met with Scott (Symes, chairman) and he was impressive.

“There seemed to be an immediately good rapport between us. It just ticks all the boxes.

“I’ve had really fond memories of being at Dorchester as a player. I just feel it was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

He added: “You can’t be too precise in life as to when opportunities are going to arise.

“I did envisage being out of the game for a bit longer, but this opportunity has come up and I’m very keen to take it.

“That has to then override the timing issue.”

Picking up on Howes’ initiative to bring Killick into the fold, the ex-Dorchester striker said the decision reflected how strong a character Howes is.

Killick said: “I feel anyone connected to Dorchester, in particular the supporters, should really realise that that in my view is very much typical of the type of character he is.

“To almost put his own personal position secondary to the welfare of the club, in these circumstances I just think is unusual and is a mark of who he is as a character.

“I believe because of my relationship with him that there’s no way I’d have taken the role had it not been fully instigated and supported by him.”

Killick also outlined what Howes’ role as assistant will look like.

“He’s got significant expertise in coaching and improving players,” Killick said.

“He’s got, in my view, significant expertise of understanding of the game and he will still have a massive role to play.

“He will be a significant influence on the players going forward.

“I’ll be working with him and the rest of the management team.”

Killick becomes the eighth different Dorchester manager since 2016, with Howes’ 23-month stint the longest in that timeframe.

Killick’s first game at the helm will be the FA Trophy third qualifying round tie at Merthyr Town on Saturday, October 7 (3pm).

The Magpies currently reside in 16th in the Southern League Premier South having taken 10 points from their past five games.

Killick’s first league assignment will be away to leaders Gosport on Wednesday, October 11 (7.45pm).