LUKE Burbidge is often regarded as a Poole Town legend, making over 250 appearances and scoring on 59 occasions.

He re-joined the Dolphins as assistant manager on the 26th March this year with the appointment of Steve Tully as manager.

Following a heavy 5-0 defeat for the Dolphins on Saturday, Poole currently sit in 8th position, seven points off leaders AFC Totton albeit with a game in hand.

I sat down with Luke Burbidge as we discussed Poole’s start to the season, Burbidge said: “It’s definitely a good start from our point of view.

“It’s a very new group and we’re playing a different style and a different formation, but we believe we can really push on now.”

Regarding Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Swindon Supermarine, Burbidge said: “I don’t think we can question the mindset of the lads because I was speaking to them before the game, and they all knew what needed to happen.

(Image: Ian Middlebrook)

“However, I just feel it was one of those days where people say it’s not our day, but I just felt they were better than us on the day.”

Burbidge is not only Poole Town’s assistant manager, but he is also in charge of the academy at the club.

More and more youngsters are progressing through academies into the first team such as teenage midfielder Leo Whitbread who recently made his first team appearance in the league and the FA Cup.

Regarding the youth’s progression into the first team, Burbidge said: “I think it’s the foundations of what any good football club is built on.

“We’ve got a lot of good youngsters coming through in all age groups, as well as the Champion Academy which continues to excel.”

“In terms of Leo’s progression, he really surprised me, he came on for the last 15 minutes on Saturday and made some good runs into the box and kept the ball well, it looked like he had played for a number of years.

“We’ve drawn Wimborne Town in the senior cup, and we’ve already spoke about giving some youngsters an opportunity because they deserve it.”

This Sunday, Hamworthy United Legends face Poole Town Legends in a fundraising event for Hammers Manager Dan Cann who was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease last month.

Burbidge spoke about his relationship with Cann, as he said: “Dan was a key figure when I first signed for Poole many years ago, he looked after me when I was one of the younger players in the squad and he was a real senior head.

“He’s had a great footballing career, and everyone obviously wants to support him and get behind him.

“Whisken has done a fantastic job, and we all want to make sure we get as many people as possible there on Sunday and support him and his family through this really tough time.”